Steph C.
Yelp
We have kids now, and Shalhoob's Funk Zone Patio has become our go-to spot in Santa Barbara for an easy outdoor family dinner. It's casual enough that we can go with extended family and friends without planning in advance, and there's plenty of space for kids to run around without getting in everyone else's way (though I will confess that if you're there at the same time as my boys, you will 100% notice them).
The food is consistently tasty and well priced, with a menu built around meat meat meat. (There are vegetarian options, but Shalhoob's started as a meat purveyor.) Great, tender ribs, served with Shalhoob's house pickles, pico de gallo, and garlic bread. An excellent oak smoked tri-tip sandwich with house BBQ glazed tri-tip, pico de gallo, and garlic aioli on garlic bread. The Funk Zone Burger hits the spot with a beefy beef patty, aged cheddar, dill pickles, shredded lettuce, and dijonnaise on a brioche bun. I've also liked all three of the tacos on offer--Baja fish with chipotle aioli, pico, slaw, and cotija; pulled pork with "elote" aioli, red onion, cilantro, and queso fresco; and the tri-tip with chipotle horseradish cream, pico, and cowboy beans. My sons get the grilled cheese and chicken tenders from the kid's menu, which come with fries. All of us like the fries.
Shalhoob's also brews its own beer--a blonde, a lager, a couple IPAs, and rotating seasonal offerings. I've liked all the ones I've tried. We've gotten pitchers of the blonde and the lager our last couple visits, prime drinking for a warm night on the patio.
tl;dr, we're big fans of Shalhoob's and will keep on Shalhoobing as long as the place will have us.