We saw this place on triple D so we figured it was worth a shot. Pretty much starving when we arrived. Chips, standard. Salsa, standard. Fish taco was big, lots of fish. Sautéed, not battered and fried Baja style like I like them. Crispy chicken taco, Meh. Chicken over cooked to death. Cinnamon spice in chicken meat. Weird. Yellow cheddar, not the preferred Monterey Jack. Beans, meh. Rice, dry, meh. Sopes, GF had. Same over cooked chicken. She did not like. #2 Daughter had cheese enchiladas and didn’t like, and she never complains. Maybe burritos are the way to go here. There are far too many restaurants in SB for me to come back here and find out. Good luck and farewell Lito’s.
Cindy N.
Tu valoración: 5 Santa Ynez, CA
Great Food! I always judge mexican restaurants by their chili Colorado. Wow, best I have had in a long time! They have it on their everyday menu and you can get it in a burrito. It was actually big piecez of stew beef and it was perfectly cooked. Can’t wait to go again and try their carnitas.
Alicia F.
Tu valoración: 5 Pittsburg, CA
First time in Santa Barbara and always scared to try something new. The food was great. I was so impressed with the beans and rice(like my grandmothers) that I could have eaten a plate of just that!
Lauren W.
Tu valoración: 1 Ventura, CA
My partner and I came in for lunch with my three-year-old daughter and I sat down at a table with my daughter while my partner got in line to order for all of us. We were then told to get up from the table, and that my tired daughter and I weren’t allowed to sit down until after my partner ordered. Although we’ve enjoyed eating here in the past when we were not treated like that, we left immediately and will not be back given such rude enforcement of a non-child-friendly policy.
Melissa G.
Tu valoración: 4 Santa Clarita, CA
Was expecting more. Food was good but not my favorite in Santa Barbara. Could use more heat
Chew E.
Tu valoración: 5 Sacramento, CA
I’ve been coming here on and off since 1993 and have gotten the same thing every time(with two exceptions), as it is absolute perfection. Bean and cheese burrito, chips and salsa, and a Coke. I have to warn you that the burrito can be a bit challenging as it’s rather big and a blowout is not an uncommon occurrence.
Eunice C.
Tu valoración: 5 Brooklyn, NY
We were driving on the pacific coast highway and googled restaurants on our way to San Francisco and this came up with great reviews was also recommended by Guy Ferrari from diners drive ins and dives. Boy did I not regret it. The place is a tiny spot right off the highway with the nicest staff ever. The burrito was delicious and huge. They sure know how to jam pack it with the fillings. The roasted pig tacos were succulent. The sauce was not too spicy but just right. They were very accommodating to my children and brought them out some food before the entire order was ready. The ambiance is very friendly and warm. Very simple taco place nothing fancy but fabulous food.
Alexis B.
Tu valoración: 5 Santa Barbara, CA
BESTBURRITOS in Santa Barbara!!! Hands down. Every time I go in, I think I’m going to try something new, but I’m so obsessed with my current choice of burrito that I have yet to branch out! This place is SUCH a hidden gem. The service is kind and genuine, the ingredients are fresh, and the portions are wonderfully generous. Word of advice: This burrito is delicious but it is FILLING. So maybe plan to have a siesta after indulging.
Hilda B.
Tu valoración: 1 Upland, CA
You want good carnitas? Take a trip to Sandra’s Tamales in ELA!!! I’m from L.A. and Litos has NOTHING over carnitas from Sandra’s!!!
Megan V.
Tu valoración: 5 Aliso Viejo, CA
Best food & service! Saw it on food Network and it was a just like the review! Everything on the menu is great really. The staff is really nice too!
Dean I.
Tu valoración: 5 Lincoln, CA
I haven’t been here in a few years. Since then they’ve remodeled so the counter takes up less space and there’s more room for tables and just moving around. It’s more open and brighter and the food and service is as great as ever. Authentic and delicious.
Diva Z.
Tu valoración: 5 Santa Barbara, CA
THISCARNITAS. If you haven’t had it, I’m sorry, you just don’t understand. Their carnitas is so good. Lito’s should forever remain Mexican-restaurant-royalty of Santa Barbara for their unspeakably perfect carnitas alone, pulled pork that they manage to make the juiciest and crispiest at the same time. How do they do it? Magic? We can never be sure. Get this carnitas in your face. Also, dear Lito’s, please open for dinner! I would be giving you all of my money if you were.
GT W.
Tu valoración: 4 Oceanside, CA
Solid food, prepared to order, giant portions… we had a large to-go order and they just handed us an entire, unopened bag of tortilla chips to go. Burrito was excellent. Everyone else liked their food. Given the prices and the short wait times, this is a 4-star place in my book. Pro-Tip: This is the closest place to get food and bring it inside Telegraph Brewing Company, which has no food of its own and allows in outside food. If Telegraph doesn’t have a food truck, better send someone to Lito’s!
Aline O.
Tu valoración: 1 Santa Barbara, CA
I ordered the chile verde burrito. Too bad I had to toss it because I found a hair in it. They should have the cooks wear hair nets or something because i don’t enjoy paying to find strands of hair in my food. :((
Helen D.
Tu valoración: 5 Santa Barbara, CA
Had some amazing fish tacos here. I could eat ten of those and roll over and die, they’re so yummy. Tiny space but plenty of seat. Order at the counter and pick up yourself when ready. You get sauce n soda yourself also… Annoying aspect when eating out but seemingly the culture around here.
Steve B.
Tu valoración: 2 Chicago, IL
I sooooo want a good breakfast burrito in this durn town. Sadly, my first go at Lito’s did not fit the bill. My review is limitted to the single breakfast burrito I ordered. I fancy myself a conniseur of breakfast burritos having eaten them on multpile continents… in places you should not be eating the«meat» contained therein. I ordered the sausage and egg BB with a side of the spicy salsa. My expereince was as follows: BB was big with lotsa meat(links had the flavor cooked out of them) and egg. Salsa was very bland. Additionally, it was«spicy» green salsa. Maybe…shame on me for not asking to add other ingredients. I mistakenly assumed, spice, pico and cheese are common BB ingredients. I guess not. I will go back and try to doctor up my burrito. We’ll see how that goes. Fool me once… My service was fine. No «gringo treatment» here.
Mike A.
Tu valoración: 4 Thousand Oaks, CA
Great Mexican food. A «take out» location, so you don’t come for the atmosphere, but it is actually very nice. Best over all, the carnitas, simply to die for.
SCOTT D.
Tu valoración: 4 Los Angeles, CA
This is the quintessential greasy spoon hole-in-the-wall diner that I go to frequently when I hit Santa Barbara early enough for a SOLID bean, rice, potato and avocado burrito that is simply scrumptious. For as long as I’ve been going, many of the same staff have been there and I’ve been going since the early 2000s. Wendy is an excellent person, fun to see and greet and she rolls a mean burrito. She also recently suggested grilled peppers and they are now available to dine-in guests. Its good to see the standards remain standard and the innovation continues to only improve my experience here. Thanks Wendy and Thanks Lito, I’ll be back soon!
Brian S.
Tu valoración: 5 San Francisco, CA
Lito’s is AMAZEBALLS! This is a real Taqueria complete with the friendliest old school Mexican guy wiping tables and expediting the food. Truly reminded me of being in a family run joint in Mexico. I love the breakfast burrito here! Add some extras and this will quite possibly be the biggest and tastiest burrito your lips will touch! It’s that fucking BIG and good. I seriously didn’t eat the rest of the day and I didn’t even finish mine. Small seating area and most people know to just eat and get out. Lots of take out customers will surround the eating area too. You want authentic, good Mexican food then come here!
Katrina N.
Tu valoración: 3 Irvine, CA
I love you Guy Fieri, but not on this pick. You are usually on point about your recommendations, but we found these carnitas to be a bit dry. Flavorful, but dry… Ordered the carnitas combo plate w beans, rice, n a generous portion of yummy guacamole. So I have nothing else to say except this was just a so-so dish.