Open List Home >> Santa Barbara, CA >> Restaurants & Food >> Restaurants >> Sambos Restaurants
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For four star American, try Sambo's Restaurant Incorporated in Santa Barbara. Here's a place to get good food. When you step inside the restaurant, you'll notice a family atmosphere. This restaurant is very affordable. This place features breakfast and brunch.
2.0 of 5 stars.
Hah!...Since I hadn't seen a Sambo's since the one in my hometown closed some 30 years ago...I was pleasantly surprised to see the last one standing here in SB.....the original location is still going...
yelp.com - user review - 10/11/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This Sambo's is the last remaining location of what was once a popular coffee shop chain. This restaurant overlooks the beach and has a very popular patio seating area. The restaurant is only open...
yelp.com - user review - 09/28/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
This place was pretty good, but it seems its history and landmark-ness have made it a tad overpriced. Serves a good breakfast though. I had the huevos rancheros with hash browns. They were good...
yelp.com - user review - 09/21/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Food was good but not great. Good enough though that i'd go back. Service was very good. They seem to run a tight ship there and enjoy what they do. Best part is the little blueberry and chocolate...
yelp.com - user review - 09/07/2009
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1.0 of 5 stars.
crummy decor. racist name and history. do your research, boycott this place. they need to change their name and theme to something that doesn't insult people. might as well be called jim crow's or...
yelp.com - user review - 09/05/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Dropped into Sambo's on 8/29/09 for Breakfast. With recommendations from yelp, I thought this was a great place to kick off a day in Santa Barbara. Great location, perfect view of the beach if you...
yelp.com - user review - 09/01/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I LOVE coming to sambos. They're crab cake benedicts are the best and the little complimentary muffin-scones are nice (and free!) appetizers. the only reason I gave it 4 and not 5 stars is the wait...
yelp.com - user review - 08/06/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Wow, over-rated much? The service was good, the view was good, but the food was so-so. I had the crab and avocado omelet which was tasty while I ate it but the taste stayed with me throughout the...
yelp.com - user review - 07/28/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Whenever my dad comes to visit SB, we go to Sambo's. Good diner food and pretty view are usually his dining stipulations.My husband and mom said the crab benedict was the best benedict they had ever...
yelp.com - user review - 07/25/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Get and outside seat if you can the view is so pretty. The breakfasts are huge!!! You could easily split one meal. My daughter got the kids menu pancakes and it was 2 huge ones topped with...
yelp.com - user review - 07/13/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Good place for brunch and a great location!They provide complimentary warm little muffins that hits the spot!I love how they keep my mimosas always flowing!Only downside is there is usually a wait.
yelp.com - user review - 07/08/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
We had a beach view and the tv was on CNBC so I could count my money. They had crabcakes benedict ($15) served piping hot with hash browns, and a basket of hot mini muffins on the table when we were...
yelp.com - user review - 07/04/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
breakfast place. not expensive but if you want a table be prepared to wait. the staff is friendly and fast. my girlfriend and i have been there twice and we've sat down at the bar right away as the...
yelp.com - user review - 06/23/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Went there because a friend recommended this place on my visit to SB. I have to say the little muffins were GREAT! The food was average for a breakfast place . . . service was great as well....
yelp.com - user review - 06/21/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
EXCELLENT mimosas. EXCELLENT chocolate chip muffins. EXCELLENT location- you can see the beach from the restaurant.The rest of the food is great, but not excellent.It's good for a lazy weekend brunch.
yelp.com - user review - 06/04/2009
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1.0 of 5 stars.
I love the location so I kept on trying. After my third bad visit I gave up. I have yet to have good service, or good food. So if you're gonna try it out.....good luck.
yelp.com - user review - 05/26/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
i was estatic to finally experience the true and original sambo's! it was fantastic to see the old signage and examine all of the old memorabillia they had in the front cases. the photographs of how...
yelp.com - user review - 05/25/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Visited this restaurant on a Saturday for brunch and had the crab and avocado omelet. Not only was the food fresh and fast, but we got a table in record time and the server was extremely friendly....
yelp.com - user review - 05/18/2009
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2.0 of 5 stars.
We had an alright breakfast at Sambo's. Honestly, it is just like any other greasy spoon servin' up pancakes, bacon and eggs. The food was pretty bland, even the bacon tasted like it needed salt. I...
yelp.com - user review - 04/03/2009
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2.0 of 5 stars.
Pretty meh. I enjoy going to a diner every now and again but the diner food needs to be, like, good. I got the chicken strips and fries -- chicken strips were way salty, fries were those icky coated...
yelp.com - user review - 03/30/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
What can I say? I love this place! This is one of my regular spots that I go to when I am in Santa Barbara. The food is good. The service is great! There is usually a bit of a wait on the...
yelp.com - user review - 02/28/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
The food could have been terrible and i'd still be happy to come here because of the view. amazing. simply amazing. i loved the mini muffins, although i was nearly poisoned with a blueberry muffin...
yelp.com - user review - 01/01/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
While on a morning stroll along the beach, we decided this would be a great place to have breakfast. What did we base that on - the name, cute patio and view of the ocean! Nuff said. Upon sitting...
yelp.com - user review - 11/08/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Yeah, yeah...Racism and Pancakes are great!The funny thing is I actually read that book when I was little! This was ages ago in Poland, we didn't know any better!Racism aside, I love Sambos for...
yelp.com - user review - 11/08/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
5 stars for the location and service but 2-3 stars for the food. This place is basically a mediocre diner on some of the best real estate in SB. The huevos rancheros were not delicious and were...
yelp.com - user review - 10/24/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
damn gina. i am still dreaming of the eggs benedict i had well over a month ago. if only it were closer.... the people with me loved the bloody marys and were quite the tipsy crew after only one...
yelp.com - user review - 10/23/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This morning, three of us in the table ordered omelettes (different ones) and we all loved them. This is not your local Denny's -the food is nowhere near as greasy and the attention was very good....
yelp.com - user review - 09/27/2008
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2.0 of 5 stars.
It may no longer be a large chain with a racist sign, but the food sure does taste like it still is. Add to that it's tourist location guarantees a long line on the weekend and it's truly a pointless...
yelp.com - user review - 09/24/2008
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1.0 of 5 stars.
Not good. Reminded me of Dennys. Santa Barbara is a cute town, they don't need a Dennys. They need a cute little breakfast house that serves great food. The omelet hardly had any egg, coffee was not...
yelp.com - user review - 09/22/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I will give this place 5 stars because they are the only Sambo's still open. Actually this is the origional Sambos's. Cudos to them for not buckling under to the establishment. Lived in this town for...
yelp.com - user review - 09/22/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Great Bloody Marys. Food - o.k. Nice nostalgic ambiance, but the Bloody Mary was the best part. Prepare to wait at least 40 minutes on a Sunday around 9:30 and getting mediocre service...but like I...
yelp.com - user review - 08/27/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
my only complaint was the coffee, but you can't expect good coffee from a joint like Sambo's. I had the Chicken Fried Steak, while my GF had her some bacon and eggs. My dish was good. Eggs cooked...
yelp.com - user review - 08/20/2008
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I went to Sambos the morning after a late night out. We had a large group for breakfast and had to wait a while. It was worth the wait! Our table all got very different menu items, but they all were great....
citysearch.com - user review - 07/29/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
This was the best cure for a hangover from Saturday night. Sunday was busy but not crowded. Perfect for a hangover. The coffee was potent and the Service was Excellent. Perfect for a hangover. Im...
yelp.com - user review - 07/14/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
We decided to try a "local" place enroute to San Luis Obispo this year and found the food to be quite good. You should come early to avoid the long lines. We enjoyed their breakfast and plan on...
yelp.com - user review - 07/01/2008
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This is a cozy cheap place by the water that has very tasty breakfasts. I love the scrambles that they have and the pancakes are buttery and good. Sometimes the wait is a little long, but it's worth it...
citysearch.com - user review - 06/03/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
One of the great breakfast places to check out if you live in Santa Barbara or are visiting the Santa Barbara area (or are staying anywhere on Cabrillo Blvd). This is just a cute little establishment...
yelp.com - user review - 05/27/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
another great spot... i love sb because they have all these mom and pop style places that has been around for a while... the bloody marys are amazing here!!! its only a breakfast spot so try to make...
yelp.com - user review - 05/21/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Three words: CHOCOLATE. CHIP. PANCAKES.I used to eat at Sambo's when I was a little kid. The decor was a little bit different back then, har har. But let me tell you. I'd forgotten all about the...
yelp.com - user review - 05/11/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
right across the beach and good food.always go to Sambos for breakfast or brunch. the Santa Barbara Omelettes are helllllla bomb! the service is good but it is kinda cramped and there is almost always...
yelp.com - user review - 05/02/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Came for brunch on a Monday and had a great experience. The service was excellent and the food was great.I had the pancakes and a side of home fries. The pancakes are big and fluffy so I only...
yelp.com - user review - 05/01/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This is the place to go for breakfast in SB. Love the cute little blueberry and chocolate chip mini muffins they give you to start your meal! They are so good and warm! We had a wonderful...
yelp.com - user review - 04/27/2008
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We were visiting Santa Barbara & wanted to try a local hangout and indeed we did with Sambo's. Above the register is a hardbound reprint of the original storybook, written in the 1920's. The original mascot...
citysearch.com - user review - 03/27/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I'm a big fan of breakfast, and Sambo's menu covers all the important bases - good coffee (even while you wait to be seated), great eggs, and awesome home potatoes (probably the best breakfast...
yelp.com - user review - 03/26/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
What a great location, right across from the beach. You can enjoy a cup of coffee and feel the sea breeze through your hair.I stopped here for breakfast on my way up north. Fresh squeezed OJ,...
yelp.com - user review - 03/25/2008
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The food was incredible. But before I discuss the food, the service was horrendous. We had to deal with the most snotty hostess who said it would take 10-15 minutes to be seated and it took them 45 minutes to...
citysearch.com - user review - 03/16/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
On the backend of a rough weekend a few moon hence past, I got me a little taste 'a Sambo.Sambo's Belgian Waffle, smooth.The lady friend guzzled down The Largest Mimosa in town and I stuck with the...
yelp.com - user review - 03/09/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
RACISM PANCAKES =...Sambos! Not bad, but not great either. The servers are very friendly and the food was decent, but I'm definitely in no rush to go back especially if I have to wait in line....
yelp.com - user review - 02/28/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
More hoodies per capita than any other breakfast diner in the area! This place is apparently Santa Barbara Saturday morning breakfast/brunch hipster central, or at leasts ranks high on the list. I...
yelp.com - user review - 02/21/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This is the first and last of the Sambo's that caused so much understandable controversy in the past and this was my first time here - though hopefully not my last. Yes, I was full of interpretation...
yelp.com - user review - 02/10/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
The great thing is the authentic feel was preserved they have posters of illustrations from the children's book the Little Black Sambo. Great place to grab a two egg breakfast. They have a patio...
yelp.com - user review - 01/14/2008
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Call me a rebel for giving four stars or politically incorrect for recommending a restaurant, the last of its kind, with its contraversial name and food stories. But if you were a California child of the late...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/16/2007
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I have fond memories of eating at Sambos as a child, so when I noticed it close to our hotel, I knew where I was eating breakfast. The food was good and if you are lucky you can have a seat with a view of the...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/12/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This is the ORIGINAL Sambo's. It didn't originate in Tennessee or somewhere in the deep south, as I assumed. (It may also be the LAST one standing, too!)All that aside, how's the bread and circuses?...
yelp.com - user review - 10/20/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I have been here a few times and I have mixed reviews for this place. It is often crowded on the weekend, especially during the brunch time. The locals and the out-of-towner often flock to this place...
yelp.com - user review - 10/10/2007
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We sat down out front mid afternoon on a Thursday with a great view of the Harbor. Lunch was average to good, food was tasty, portions were large and decently priced. The mini muffins came right out and though...
citysearch.com - user review - 09/28/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
First off, I picked this place because Little Black Sambo was and is one of my all time favorite books from my childhood. It was my grandmother's before it was my mother's and came to me. The fact...
yelp.com - user review - 07/23/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
breakfast and lunch place only.crab cakes benedict - 5 stars. Similar to eggs benedict, but crab cake instead of ham. Made of real crab, and the hollandaise sauce was delicious. It was $13, but still...
yelp.com - user review - 04/16/2007
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2.0 of 5 stars.
I was visiting SB and had some friends meeting me there for brunch. I didn't want to go to a chain like Denny's and found Sambo's on yelp. I had some qualms about going b/c of the racist logo etc.....
yelp.com - user review - 04/09/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
first and last visit happened july 2005. can't speak for the food or service now, but both put a smile on my face back then.this place easily gave me one of the FINEST breakfast experiences of my...
yelp.com - user review - 03/22/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
The crab and avocado omelet was DELICIOUS! My partner had a seared Ahi sandwich. The service was GREAT and serving complimentary mini muffins was a wonderful touch. Fun, open atmosphere.. and the...
yelp.com - user review - 03/21/2007
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1.0 of 5 stars.
I had qualms about eating at a place called Sambo's, but S insisted this was a landmark that he used to go to when he was young (thankfully, the racist logo's been phased out). We were disappointed...
yelp.com - user review - 03/20/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I love breakfast and was happy to hear that they serve breakfast until 3pm here. I got the crab cakes benedict and it was awesome! My bloody mary was missing something...maybe it was salt. But the...
yelp.com - user review - 03/12/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
L-O-V-E the buttermilk pancakes here! can't get enough of the muffins either!! it's reason enough to go day trippin to santa barbara.it's where the locals are at and so it gets pretty busy here in...
yelp.com - user review - 03/01/2007
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We didn't even have to wait that long to be seated...they start you off with some fresh-baked mini-muffins...they were so tasty but we had to kinda stop eating them or else we wouldn't finish our meal! My...
citysearch.com - user review - 02/27/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Sambos on the beach! You have to love that it's the original and the only one left. I love to see the artwork on the walls as it totally reminds me of the one in my hometown when I was a little girl...
yelp.com - user review - 02/24/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I had no idea that the name of the restaurant was racist-- I read the menu and it was a combo of both owners' names... anyway...My breakfast started off very well-- little mini blueberry and chocolate...
yelp.com - user review - 02/05/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I bought a convertible and just had to drive from L.A. to Santa Barbara up the PCH to justify the purchase, so I left early on a Saturday morning and drove up to this place.If you get there early...
yelp.com - user review - 01/30/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Ahhh Sambos, home to many a hung over breakfasts while I was at UCSB.Because it's located downtown, across the street from the beach this place is a popular local and tourist morning hangout. The wait...
yelp.com - user review - 01/15/2007
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My friend wanted to go here because of the politically incorrect name. There was about a half hour wait for weekend brunch time. Pancakes were decent if a little pricey, you can also pick out a souvenir from...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/14/2006
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3.0 of 5 stars.
A 4 for service and decor and a 2 for the food.I ate here a few years back and was curious to see what the owner had done with the place. We had breakfast and I found the omeletes to be filled with...
yelp.com - user review - 10/16/2006
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4.0 of 5 stars.
If you can get over the fact that the name is completely racist, then you will find that Sambo's is a fabulous place for breakfast. They serve you yummy little blueberry muffins while you wait for...
yelp.com - user review - 09/18/2006
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Great breakfast, fun atmosphere! I was amazed to find that this is themed after a children's book I loved as a child. Title rather politically incorrect now, but the story was innocent enough... a...
yelp.com - user review - 08/26/2006
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Every time I visit Santa Barbara I have to go to Sambos for breakfast. I always get the Santa Barabara omellete which is an avocado omelette basically. Good stuff. Everything on the menu here is pretty good...
citysearch.com - user review - 09/27/2005
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The service was dull but okay, the food was great and presentation great but there was an error on our credit card where we were charged THREE times (the exact same amount) and haven't been able to get it...
citysearch.com - user review - 06/29/2005
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Sambos in Santa Barbara has the best banana pancakes ever. They are stuffed with bananas and topped with pecans and a pecan syrup that is to die for. You'll be so full at the end of the meal, but you'll also...
citysearch.com - user review - 06/12/2005
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Wow, I've been going to this S@mbo's since I was at least 10 years old, maybe longer. The place is still the same. Nothing has changed (well perhaps management). I would compare the food to something a little...
citysearch.com - user review - 08/09/2002
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the original pancakes on the beach...
cityguide.aol.com - user review
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at one time, this restaurant was part of a nationwide chain, but these days, it's the original and only remaining branch, so all the focus goes solely into its quality. named after sam and bo, its founders'...
10best.com - user review
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sambo's is the best breakfast place to go to if you like to have a relaxed atmosphere, a staff that has great customer service and fabulous food! i love everything about sambo's...
cityguide.aol.com - user review
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