Judge For Yourself Cafe

Chorizo and eggs were so delicious.
We randomly stumbled in here and were pleasantly surprised.
The server was very attentive and seemed like she has been doing her job for quite some time.
Oh and the coffee was awesome.

I did judge this place by the reviews and I was proven correct. A top notch diner. The quick order maestro was in a rhythm and the food was fresh and tasty and nothing was too greasy.buttery. I do wonder what the quality and timing would be like if the place was packed… it was only about ¹⁄₃^rd full.

Great menu– huge variety from burgers to Mexican cuisine to the «egg-​genda» that has 30 different egg dishes. Service was fantastic– fast and efficient.

Mr. Foreperson, have you reached a verdict? Yes we have.
This is truly a neighborhood, greasy spoon. A locals hangout for sure. Regulars walking in receive warm greetings from the staff and other happy eaters. With room for 30ish at tables and side booths and another 6 at the bar, parties from 1 to 8 – 10 for yourself or family.
Craving Chicken-​fried Steak and Eggs I ordered ordered my eggs easy with hashbrowns and sourdough. The meat is as expected. Maybe a little thin. The gravy is definitely thin despite all the air bubbles trapped by what I guess is overuse of Xanthan gum to thicken it. I don’t see how this could be home made brown gravy. Even with the steak submerged, the breading is dry. I’ll pass on this next round. But don’t let this ruling sway your vote. The salsa served was great. Better than some of the so called Mexican food restaurants. The eggs were spot on and the hashbrowns delicious with perfect toast. The portions were smaller than others but so were the prices. Preparing for my breakfast choice, I when in prepared to be stuffed. I was pleasantly surprised and appreciate the reasonable portion. Thanks for looking out for my waistline and pocket book.
While I was not impressed with the chicken-​fried steak and its gravy bath, I throughly enjoyed the feel and friendliness of JFYC. I will be adding this gem to my usual, breakfast haunts in hopes I will be accepted into this family.
Acquitted

Dine here at least once a week, totally a neighborhood favorite! Great friendly staff!

Santa Barbara’s very best breakfast burrito! The Everything breakfast burrito (without eggs for me) at Judge for Yourself Café is a work of art and genius! They have great Chicken Fried steak with classic brown gravy also. For a not too «greasy spoon» diner, there is a good selection on the menu. Elena and the rest of the staff are iconic in Santa Barbara! Friendly and attentive as well as up on all the latest happenings around town. Only complaint, coffee could be stronger.

So, I moved from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara more than 11 years ago to embark on a career at our beloved County Courthouse downtown. Besides marriages and adoptions, there is nothing happy or festive about what goes on where I work. Those in my line of work know to appreciate and enjoy our moments of repast and respite from the travails of others.
Deciding what you’re going to eat, and where, becomes a part of life– sometimes exciting, sometimes mundane. There are moments when the situation or mood calls for adventure and the exotic. Then sometimes, you just want a no-​nonsense, no-​frills, unpretentious place to grab lunch, which is what I have found in this wonderfully understated micro-​cafeteria (the size of a small apartment) on a nondescript corner across the parking lot from the county administration building.
Certainly, Sta. Barbara has some great food joints; there’s just no point in saying that LA has more variety. Of course it does: it’s bigger. That would not be the point. One can adapt fine enough. Then, a happy surprise pops up in the alimentary landscape, a mighty-​mouse institution that has endured well throughout my time here… a place that is probably the only reminder to me of the food-​counters and low-​rent cafeterias that I frequented throughout my life in downtown LA, in and around the courts and government buildings. As a big-​city kid at heart, it’s a warm familiarity that I feel whenever I go to the Judge For Yourself Café. And because this is a small town, the experience is further enhanced by personal, friendlier service: almost as if the most precious elements of the ‘delicious greasy spoons’ of my urbanized youth were preserved into a small, delicate flask of essence & nestled into the idyll of the California Riviera.
Elena smiles when she sees me. Or anyone, I imagine. She and the staff are always very friendly. You will feel comfy at once. She recognizes my face, and knows my regular meal. THE SUCCESS BURGER: a unique, simple construction of spinach, provolone and juicy beef that never disappoints… you must try it! This is Popeye’s hamburger– a savory, robust and righteous meal, served with old-​school fatso fries. Elena has an easy disposition, and is quite efficient. She will not flinch if I toss the occasional curveball order, and ask for a breakfast item or one of their specials. Everything will be delicious. Speaking of which…
Behind the counter there’s Salvador, the stout cook who presides over his kitchen solemnly. He takes his job seriously, dishing out his orders in a flash. He knows my face as well, and there is an avuncular fondness I feel for him over the years, although we have crossed only a few words. We address each other in Spanish warmly, when I enter and depart. Something tells me he’s a cool guy with great stories to tell. I want to pick up a couple of cold beers, go behind the counter, hand him one, call him «Don Chava», pat him on the back and talk about something crazy. But I wouldn’t dare disturb this unassuming, master culinary artist at work.
Sure SB is small, but there are some good options out there. If you’re in the simple mood for consistently good diner food, look no further than Judge For Yourself Café. You may not come here everyday, but when you do, you’ll always leave happy. It’s not like going to court, that way…

Elena has been there 22 years. She still remembers what I want for breakfast and I have not been here for a while. I always get the number 36! Great place!

While I generally love diners which are also pretty much a dive this place is not good. We had an egg scramble and a cheeseburger and both pretty much tasted like the same old grease off the grill. Eggs not fully cooked and hamburger made of less than quality beef. Ice tea also not fresh. Gave it 2 stars only because place has a nice diner look and waitress was very pleasant. Food 1 star at best. Take your $$ elsewhere.

No Bueno. The name is very creative, being near the court house and all ;) I went and I judged guilty of being not good. The food had no flavor and the presentation was not there. Just cause it’s a tiny little spot off state, doesn’t mean it’s amazing. Although I didn’t like it, you should «Judge for yourself!»

This is a simple diner with nothing special worth noticing. The food was what you expect from a diner. Eggs, bacon and pancakes were good and reasonably priced. The vinyl booth seating may appeal some and horrify others. I am not going to go back, but it was a nice experience.

This is hands down the best breakfast in Santa Barbara by far. You will never leave here hungry and the service is exceptional. It is a treat to sit at the counter and watch the master chef do his thing. I always get the breakfast burrito which is the size of a football. However I have been which large parties and seen almost everything on the menu ordered and it all is great. This is the kind of locals place that should be featured on diners, drive-in’s dives. However for now this is the ultimate local spot where everyone knows everyone.

The food was just okay. It was typical diner food, burgers and omelets. However, with the amount of menu options, it was hard to find something that sounded super great. I got the 2X2X2, the food was pretty typical, but I felt like I could have done the dish myself for way cheaper. My husband got the onion and mushroom omelet, he liked it, but also felt it was something that could have been made at home for cheaper.
The service was great though. Prompt and happy to see us. The atmosphere was fun with the courthouse theme of the menu and the beachy décor.

Hidden gem, great diner vibe, basic breakfast and lunch menu, omelettes
And burritos are the best !!

Great Great service. I think Elena is one of the best servers in California. You will be spoiled… Good breakfasts/​omelets.
Can be a noisy place with people screaming sometimes. Police frequent this restaurant since near station.
Try the bacon, hot thick good,

Wait for six is a long wait 4 or under is perfect. They have breakfast burritos but they are not under breakfast section. Maybe because there a hell of a lot cheaper. The place had a bathroom only problem toilet handle was broken and the paper towel dispenser was empty.

This is a quirky little place. Courtroom themed menu and décor. I was a little bummed to look at the menu and see only hamburgers and omelets (because I didn’t want either) but then noticed under «Side Orders» they had french toast. kind of weird menu placement but I’ll take it!
They were actually pretty good french toast and the hot chocolate was yummy as well :) my order wasn’t pricey but we noticed that ordering 1 egg was like $ 6. what?! that’s a lot.

We were looking for another restaurant, dying for our cup of joe in the am and saw the wooden swinging sign out front. Cute cozy place. Blue tablecloths on all the tables, attentive waiter. Great breakfast burritos! I ordered the vegetarian, yum. Nice change from chain places on the road. clean, nice people

It’s nice to find a local hangout away from the business of so many other places in Santa Barbara. I would HIGHLY recommend.
I love the attentive service and the food is quite delicious and hearty.

Aside from finding all the menu descriptions over-​the-​top annoying with all the legal cutsieness I liked the place!
It is a diner, it is a dive! A greasy spoon in the best way! I liked the owner and I liked the staff! I liked the low prices. I liked that you can get hash browns with your burger instead of fries.
I ordered a burger with bacon and bleu cheese. The bacon was thick and very crispy! It was quite good.
The owner told me that he is open seven days a week and on all holidays! I will look forward to going back sometime for breakfast…
Oh, and on the wall is a «best-​of» award! Best food to cure a hangover! Good to know!