Szechuan Restaurant
Chinese · Santa Barbara
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About Szechuan Restaurant
At Szechuan Restaurant, we serve traditional Chinese cuisine with a Santa Barbara twist, offering a unique blend of flavors that will transport you to the heart of China. Inspired by our regional fare, we've crafted a menu featuring beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian options that are sure to del...
At Szechuan Restaurant, we serve traditional Chinese cuisine with a Santa Barbara twist, offering a unique blend of flavors that will transport you to the heart of China. Inspired by our regional fare, we've crafted a menu featuring beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian options that are sure to delight. Our customers rave about our authentic dishes, like Kung Pao Chicken, which showcases the perfect balance of spicy and savory. With its cozy atmosphere and attentive service, Szechuan Restaurant is the ideal spot to unwind with friends or family, savoring the rich flavors of China in the heart of Santa Barbara.
What Customers Say About Szechuan Restaurant
Szechuan Restaurant is a local favorite known for its delicious, authentic Chinese food and friendly service, especially from Anna. Customers rave about the lunch specials and home delivery. Some negative reviews mention declining portion sizes and occasional quality issues.
Popular Dishes
Best For
Tip: Ask for the secret menu for authentic Chinese dishes. Home delivery is available and less expensive than using a delivery app.
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Frequently asked questions about Szechuan Restaurant
Szechuan Restaurant Santa Barbara Reviews
I’ve been a loyal customer for years. The food is always great and tasty. The price is reasonable and provides takeout and home delivery. They have variety menus, including Chinese and American style which is very impressive because they consider every customer from overseas. My family and I have tried almost everything on the menus, and no disappointments yet. Everything is fresh and delectable. We love their special spicy chili and spice level can be adjusted.The service is superior. The owner and waitress are friendly and exceptional, they take good care of every order and table. A very nice ambiance place for lunch and dinner. Strongly recommended. The best Chinese food in town.
The Szechuan Restaurant on the Mesa in Santa Barbara is a real gem! A colorful but calm ambience is a great contrast to the exciting menu. All of the soups are good, but the Westlake beef soup recommended by our waitress Anna was a real stand out, so cozy and warming on a cool night. Susan, the owner is very friendly, and recommended some great dishes. The Chinese scallion flatbread made a perfect appetizer. And Mushu chicken (also available in a vegetarian or pork version) wrapped in thin Chinese "pancakes" and served with plum sauce is delightful. We had the A-Choy vegetable with garlic--crunchy and fresh. My personal favorite was the richly spiced Szechuan boiled fish, with plenty of fresh garlic and chili. The best Chinese food I have had in Santa Barbara! 😊
I ordered togo five times so far, it’s always hot and fresh. They offer home delivery, it’s fast and pack it professionally. Make sure you ask for the secret menu, there are so many Chinese authentic dishes on it. Trust me, you won’t get disappointed. 非常道地非常好吃.
No doubt. The best Chinese food in town. A hidden gem in SB. Very authentic and reasonable price. The service is great and the ingredients are fresh.
Went for lunch and ordered the Dan Dan noodles. The pork was well seasoned and slightly spicy, the noodles were cooked perfectly, and the sauce was infused with szechuan peppercorns which created a gentle "numbing" sensation on the tongue. Would definitely order this dish again.
I’ve been a loyal customer for years. The food is always great and tasty. The price is reasonable and provides takeout and home delivery. They have variety menus, including Chinese and American style which is very impressive because they consider every customer from overseas. My family and I have tried almost everything on the menus, and no disappointments yet. Everything is fresh and delectable. We love their special spicy chili and spice level can be adjusted.The service is superior. The owner and waitress are friendly and exceptional, they take good care of every order and table. A very nice ambiance place for lunch and dinner. Strongly recommended. The best Chinese food in town.
The Szechuan Restaurant on the Mesa in Santa Barbara is a real gem! A colorful but calm ambience is a great contrast to the exciting menu. All of the soups are good, but the Westlake beef soup recommended by our waitress Anna was a real stand out, so cozy and warming on a cool night. Susan, the owner is very friendly, and recommended some great dishes. The Chinese scallion flatbread made a perfect appetizer. And Mushu chicken (also available in a vegetarian or pork version) wrapped in thin Chinese "pancakes" and served with plum sauce is delightful. We had the A-Choy vegetable with garlic--crunchy and fresh. My personal favorite was the richly spiced Szechuan boiled fish, with plenty of fresh garlic and chili. The best Chinese food I have had in Santa Barbara! 😊
No doubt. The best Chinese food in town. A hidden gem in SB. Very authentic and reasonable price. The service is great and the ingredients are fresh.
I ordered togo five times so far, it’s always hot and fresh. They offer home delivery, it’s fast and pack it professionally. Make sure you ask for the secret menu, there are so many Chinese authentic dishes on it. Trust me, you won’t get disappointed. 非常道地非常好吃.
Went for lunch and ordered the Dan Dan noodles. The pork was well seasoned and slightly spicy, the noodles were cooked perfectly, and the sauce was infused with szechuan peppercorns which created a gentle "numbing" sensation on the tongue. Would definitely order this dish again.
Amazing food and great service! The dishes were fresh, flavorful, and came out quickly. Boss and staffs were super friendly and welcoming, especially Anna! Definitely will come back again!
Authentic chinese food w great service. Love the spicy kongpao chicken! Been here 3 times in past two weeks. Highly rec as family dinner place
This restaurant serves consistently tasty dishes, and the staff are warm and welcoming. It truly gives a homely feeling every time I visit!
Quiet, small, absolutely delicious food. My favorite Chinese place in town.
I've been eating here for 30 years. Great family and great food.
Came for the food, stayed for Anna! Fast service, good smile—she’s the real star of the menu. Five stars for Anna!
I love to come here for lunch special that comes with a soup, rice, egg roll and cream cheese wonton. The food is flavorful, testy and come out quickly. I love their spicy chili, it’s really authentic. The price is also reasonable and worthy. The service is indeed very professional and conscientious. I would recommend to bring over your family and friends together.
Definitely the best Asian restaurant I visited in the area, excellent food, efficient service.
We recently ordered take-out from here for a very large group on a tight dinner schedule. They were wonderful! They had everything ready right on time, well packaged, and the food was delicious! They even helped us carry it all to our car. I would definitely order from them again.
Every time I've ever eaten in or ordered to go, I've been very pleased. Restaurant is clean & spacious despite it's small location. Food is delicious, cooked to order and reasonably priced. They also provide home delivery which is less expensive then using "delivery app" service. I've never hesitated recommending this restaurant to local or out-of-town friends.
I've been eating here for 30 years. Great family and great food.
Quiet, small, absolutely delicious food. My favorite Chinese place in town.
This restaurant serves consistently tasty dishes, and the staff are warm and welcoming. It truly gives a homely feeling every time I visit!
Definitely the best Asian restaurant I visited in the area, excellent food, efficient service.
Authentic chinese food w great service. Love the spicy kongpao chicken! Been here 3 times in past two weeks. Highly rec as family dinner place
Amazing food and great service! The dishes were fresh, flavorful, and came out quickly. Boss and staffs were super friendly and welcoming, especially Anna! Definitely will come back again!
Came for the food, stayed for Anna! Fast service, good smile—she’s the real star of the menu. Five stars for Anna!
Food is amazing I. Highly recommend it Very quiet place I love it come here you will be happy
I love to come here for lunch special that comes with a soup, rice, egg roll and cream cheese wonton. The food is flavorful, testy and come out quickly. I love their spicy chili, it’s really authentic. The price is also reasonable and worthy. The service is indeed very professional and conscientious. I would recommend to bring over your family and friends together.
We recently ordered take-out from here for a very large group on a tight dinner schedule. They were wonderful! They had everything ready right on time, well packaged, and the food was delicious! They even helped us carry it all to our car. I would definitely order from them again.
Every time I've ever eaten in or ordered to go, I've been very pleased. Restaurant is clean & spacious despite it's small location. Food is delicious, cooked to order and reasonably priced. They also provide home delivery which is less expensive then using "delivery app" service. I've never hesitated recommending this restaurant to local or out-of-town friends.
Definitely NOT authentic Sichuan food. They charged us $7.5 for a small pot of lukewarm tea. Their rice is of poor quality and came to the table lukewarm. We came here only because it was the only place open on Christmas day nearby. We won't come back and won't recommend it to anyone.
Definitely NOT authentic Sichuan food. They charged us $7.5 for a small pot of lukewarm tea. Their rice is of poor quality and came to the table lukewarm. We came here only because it was the only place open on Christmas day nearby. We won't come back and won't recommend it to anyone.
Been coming here for years good service good atmosphere, but over time the portions got smaller and prices went up. I usually order combo fried rice, the container shrunk and it's practically all rice very little of the combo, i hate to post this review but almost 20 bucks for just fried rice and shrimp yea ill take my business elsewhere for now. Mentioned this to them many times no change.
Ordered sautéed string beans and BBQ pork chow fun. Ate some of each. 4 hours later I’m throwing up in my toilet… Food very very BAD!!!
Been coming here for years good service good atmosphere, but over time the portions got smaller and prices went up. I usually order combo fried rice, the container shrunk and it's practically all rice very little of the combo, i hate to post this review but almost 20 bucks for just fried rice and shrimp yea ill take my business elsewhere for now. Mentioned this to them many times no change.
Ordered sautéed string beans and BBQ pork chow fun. Ate some of each. 4 hours later I’m throwing up in my toilet… Food very very BAD!!!
We ordered 2 servings of Beef Chow Mein for pickup today for dinner. Got home and started eating. Tasted something plastic-y, thought it was just residue off the containers or something. Wrong, the burnt plastic flavor continued to mount and we had to stop eating, leaving most of it uneaten. I am not sure how this is acceptable. Whoever cooked tonight: do some investigation into how something in the ingredients of beef chow mein got contaminated by plastic. Cooking in an unwashed new wok? Burnt oil? Hot ingredients kept in unsuitable plastic for too long? Please figure it out because it was unacceptable, not to mention at the base level it was otherwise flavorless. My stomach does not feel good and I think I might end up sick.
We ordered 2 servings of Beef Chow Mein for pickup today for dinner. Got home and started eating. Tasted something plastic-y, thought it was just residue off the containers or something. Wrong, the burnt plastic flavor continued to mount and we had to stop eating, leaving most of it uneaten. I am not sure how this is acceptable. Whoever cooked tonight: do some investigation into how something in the ingredients of beef chow mein got contaminated by plastic. Cooking in an unwashed new wok? Burnt oil? Hot ingredients kept in unsuitable plastic for too long? Please figure it out because it was unacceptable, not to mention at the base level it was otherwise flavorless. My stomach does not feel good and I think I might end up sick.
Dec 24th. Came for the great reviews of the food, won't be back bc of the terrible takeout service. Ordered take out for two around 6pm, when we arrived at 7pm it wasn't ready. Other numbers were being called all around ours. 7:30p...8p...I went up to the counter to request a refund. It was only then the counter clerk told the kitchen to get on it. After almost two hours we finally got our food. No offer to compensate the inconvenience/poor service. SMH☹️👎
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About Szechuan Restaurant
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1994 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
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1994 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
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