The Sando Truck

Reminds me of Japan! What do you get when you have a delicious Katsu (𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘶--𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥) chicken sandwich recipe and a cute to-go-box-themed food truck? You get The Sando Truck! I got a chance this past week to give the Chicken Katsu Sando (𝘺𝘦𝘱, 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘩) a try and--WOW--is it delicious! They also offer a Pork Sando (𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥!) and also a Potato Sando (𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘩); keep in mind that these are super-neat white bread sandwiches with the crust cut off, so they are not just yummy but really cute (𝘪𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘹)! My daughter really liked this as well and she got the Bubbies Mochi Ice Cream and a Ramune drink. The next time we go, I'm going to have to try the potato salad (𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘌𝘮𝘪'𝘴 𝘑𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘥) and the Karaage (𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘳𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘰). I bet both of these are off-the-charts-yum! I really love the fact that these guys are right in the parking lot of Paradise Springs Winery (and Test Pilot) so that I can sit down and have a little wine or a cocktail while enjoying my Sando Truck lunch!

We got the Chicken Katsu Sando which was phenomal. The chicken was perfectly crisped and cooked well throughout. The seasoning and flavor profile was really nice. The food came out quickly and was really enjoyable. I would highly recommend this food truck.

Great vibe from the guys in the truck, quick service, and delicious food! The chicken katsu was hot, crispy, and perfectly cooked on the inside. The potato/egg salad was a great complement to the hot sando! Such a good lunch.

The Sando Truck is a gem! Not many food trucks serve this cuisine, and they absolutely nail it. The sandos are insanely crushable—packed with flavor, lightly crisp, and perfectly warm. The karaage is a must-order, crispy and flavorful without being too heavy. Plus, Nick, the friendly SB-local owner, makes supporting this small business even better. Don’t miss out!

Really good sando truck located right in the funk zone. Chicken and pork were both cooked perfectly without drying them out. The bread was soft and the portion size was great. I was also able to try out the Karage and really enjoyed the spicy mayo that came with it.

We were visiting Santa Barbara from Los Angeles and spent the day in the “Funk Zone” when we came across The Sando Truck. It was exactly what we needed after a night of drinking. The chicken katsu sandwich was juicy with a great crispy texture, and the soft bread made it even better. It hit the spot as a late-night snack. The potato salad sandwich was light, fresh, and had a nice crunch from the veggies. It balanced the richness of the chicken perfectly. Both sandwiches were delicious, and I definitely recommend giving them a try!

Fun, unique, and delicious eating experience with tasty sandwiches and sides. The chicken katsu and potato salads are one of a kind. The owner is incredibly friendly, the service is quick, and the quality is always on point.

Nice but overpriced. For $11 I got my appetite whetted with what seems like 1 piece of Arnold white bread and 3 small slices of (very good) chicken. For $11.25 at On the Alley I get a huge burger on brioche with all the fixings and a huge side of homemade potato chips. And I am full to the brim with good food. I know it’s not nouveau cuisine but… where have all the affordable food trucks gone???

Tasty and authentic katsu sandos. A bit on the pricey side for how small the portions are.

Awesome addition to Goleta's food scene I'm glad Sando Truck is here now, between Hollister and Storke , you will see it from Hollister side. Sandwiches are fresh, yummy, creative, service is friendly and I got my order fairly quick, had to order to go but I'll be back, they have some picnic tables if you want to eat there, it's a very clean and easy to navigate station ,

This place is AMAZING!!! Not only are the sandwiches delicious but the potatoe salad is delicious too. Everything is made with fresh and authentic ingredients. There is a vegetarian option as well. Everyone is super friendly and helpful. There is plenty of parking as the food comes from a food truck. The atmosphere of the area is great!

Found the Sando Truck while drinking at Test Pilot nearby. They offer their take on the classic Japanese Chicken Katsu sando as well as the chef's personal family potato salad recipe. Both are delicious, although I did enjoy the Chicken Katsu more. I ended up going back to order their chicken karaage as their chicken was marvelously cooked.

Friendly service and not too long of a wait. They told me how long it would take too- so that was convenient! Good breading and pork. The milk bread was soft but with a crunchy outside, so nice.

I chose the 3 piece pork Sando, next time I'm doing the 6 piece. It is fried pork in a homemade panko, katsu sauce, on Japanese milk bread (shokupan). The milk bread is so soft and light. The pork was juicy and the fried panko was extra crispy. It's a small wait while it's made- definitely worth it!

I wished I liked this place more than I did. I live Japanese sando and this just didn't hit the mark. The bread flavor profile and texture is more like a wonder bread to me than an actual Japanese milk bread. The potato salad was bland, I can't believe they didn't go with a more traditional tamago sando instead. The katsu is flavorful but the size of the cutlet does not match the ratio of the bread it makes me feel a bit cheated. Overall, this doesn't hold a candle to the real thing, but I do appreciate the effort.

We got the Chicken Katsu Sando which was phenomal. The chicken was perfectly crisped and cooked well throughout. The seasoning and flavor profile was really nice. The food came out quickly and was really enjoyable. I would highly recommend this food truck.

I discovered The Sando Truck through the article on SB Independent! I decided to swing by one day after work to give it a try. For my very first visit, I got the chicken katsu sando with a side of potato salad. There isn't any seating dedicated specifically to The Sando Truck plus I was a bit on the go so I ate my food once I got to the car. The sandwich was really yummy! The chicken was really crispy and went perfectly with the sauce. The bread itself was fluffy and soft yet had a bite to it. I really enjoyed it. The potato salad had a nice variety of textures that complimented the sandwich well. I even saved a piece of the sandwich for my mom and despite the fact it was about an hour later, she said it was really good. The next time I came I got the egg salad sando with a side of chicken karaage. Admittedly, this is now my favorite combo from them! The sandwich was simple yet somehow so good. The chicken was again very crispy and the spicy mayo was perfect with it. It was soooo good. Both times I've been the staff have been very friendly and I've been very pleased with my food! I would definitely recommend the business to anyone wanting to check them out and will definitely be returning myself!

It's so nice to try something different and have it be really good. The texture and flavors went so well together and were mild and exciting in a comforting way. The food felt clean, not greasy. The potato salad was really good and kind of creamy. This is a one man show and he is doing a great job. We placed our online and eat at over at Figueroa Mountain brewing. Perfect dinner.

Often when Americans try to replicate a cuisine from another country, we bury it in our own enhancements and it becomes a salty, sugary mess that is so far removed from the heart of the dish that you can't call it authentic. This is why it is SO SO important that we patronize places like The Sando Truck. This amazing little truck proves that simple cuisine can be impactful and worlds more delicious than a mall food court replication. I, like others, had read The Independent article about Nicholas and Emi Gillio's new truck in the Funk Zone. As a foodie who has yet to make it to the culinary wonderland that is Japan, my mouth was immediately watering reading about the katsu and egg sandos that were to come. And to say I wasn't disappointed would be an understatement. It was perfect. The meat was perfectly cooked--I eat mostly vegetarian so when I splurge on meat it's gotta be good--and didn't need to drown in sauce or excess seasoning to be absolutely delicious. The milk bread that Gillo buys specifically for the sandos complimented the savory cutlet with a wonderful sweetness. But the true standout for me was the egg salad and potato salad. Oh my goodness. I learned long ago that Kewpie is the superior mayo, but never have I ever created anything close to what Emi has lovingly made at The Sando Truck. There's a delicious umami bursting with freshness. I'd never had a potato salad like that and it will be hard to go back to the typical BBQ variety after this. Friends, Santa Barbarians, we need more food like this. We need more variety. We need to support the food trucks so that they can become a brick and mortar and make our main street more diverse. And if in the meantime we over-indulge in delicious Japanese sandwiches? All the better.

loved this spot! Great, authentic and quality Japanese sandwiches. Hospitable crew and cool, unique food. Check these guys out

we passed by their sign and decided to try this place out. not a lot of Asian food in SB so we were excited to try it. small simple menu with a lot of Asian flavors. I was interested in Thai tea Oreo ice cream but didn't end up ordering any. we ordered the pork katsu and chicken katsu sando and kaarage which came with a creamy tangy sauce. All had the crispy crunch, but were a bit more brown than how fried food should be like the frying oil has been overused. very juicy & savory fried meats with fluffy Hokkaido bread that indents easily. the lack of veggies/fiber made this meal unsatisfying though. there was only one table but the slow flow at 5pm was fine.

the sandos were yummy but not that big for the price. they definitely satisfied my cravings but i wish that there was a better ratio between the bread and chicken. some bites were just bread. maybe i would come back to try other things on the menu.

Tucked away in the funk zone near Stearns wharf next to Paradise Springs winery, the Sando truck serves various Japanese style sandwiches. We ordered the pork katsu sando and the karaage online and scheduled a pickup. The ordering experience was great and the food was ready when I got there. Excellent service. The food was good. But not worth the money we paid for. The katsu was small and a bit overdone. The sando bread was light and fluffy, but tasted more of wonder bread than of shokupan. The karaage was a bit of a fail to be honest. The outside crust was bitter from being over fried. The chicken was a bit dry. The spicy mayo was the only redeeming part of that order. If they make the katsu a bit bigger, maybe add some slaw to balance texture and fat, and get the fry time right, it can easily be a great place. But for now I can't give them more than 3 stars. I'll check back on them in a couple months.

A delicious small (or big) meal if you're walking around the funk zone and wine tasting hopping. The bread for the Sando has the best texture and the katsu isn't too heavy or oily. We also got the potato salad on the side that was perfect for sharing! Food came out quickly, but since we didn't stop by the winery the food truck was in for a tasting we just stood by the truck while finishing our food.

This is the best place ever!!!! I can't even tell you how delicious these sandwiches are, I got one chicken and one pork, both were absolutely delightful. If you have the opportunity to try this place please stop by and try the sandwiches! The man that runs that truck I didn't ask his name I apologize, was very kind and helpful. I will definitely be stopping by again when in town!

We had the chicken katsu and the pork sandos. Both were delicious. The bread was moist and had that great Japanese bread texture. The katsu sauce was perfect. And the tenderness of the meats were awesome. The potato salad was fantastic. With the cucumbers and carrots. Super clean truck and you can tell they take pride in their food. Defiantly recommend. And you can grab a nice glass of wine from paradise Springs winery Delicious all around

I love katsu sandos and when we saw this truck nearby we were so excited to try it out. We were a bit let down however as others have mentioned it is overpriced and portions are pretty small. The cutlet does not fill out the entire bread. The egg salad sando wasn't very flavorful. Overall - we basically felt like we got a $50 snack - we didn't take photos but you can see them from other reviews. Honestly for the price point I felt a bit cheated.

Terrible, lack flavors, tiny portions, one and done for me. I was really wanting to like it and was excited to try it, Cafeteria style sandwiches, nothing special, the presentation was just sad, I'll leave photos so you could be the judge. There was no point during my meal that I was excited to take another bite. I tried it so you don't have to, easy PASS ! Top 3 Worse place I've tried this year. And Top All-Time worse food truck experience.

We ordered the 3- piece chicken and pork sando and oooomg did I wish we ordered the 6-piece x 4!!! So simple but so delicious. A must try and Nick is pretty great too! We'll be back soon!

We were visiting Santa Barbara from Los Angeles and spent the day in the "Funk Zone" when we came across The Sando Truck. It was exactly what we needed after a night of drinking. The chicken katsu sandwich was juicy with a great crispy texture, and the soft bread made it even better. It hit the spot as a late-night snack. The potato salad sandwich was light, fresh, and had a nice crunch from the veggies. It balanced the richness of the chicken perfectly. Both sandwiches were delicious, and I definitely recommend giving them a try!

I was super impressed by The Sando Truck. The bread so soft and the chicken was simple but very tasty. It was also super quick. Just a great experience and in a cool location by Test Pilot.

Amazing sandwiches. We ordered both the chicken and the pork ones. Unfortunately the karaage was sold out. Will just have to go back and sample the rest of the menu! Side note: I think it's incredibly generous that the owners are offering free food for first responders from the LA fires.

Delicious!! Both the chicken and pork Sandos hit the spot. Will definitely visit again

Food is amazing. Best eats I've had in the funk zone. It's in the center near everything and it ambiance is added to via test pilots dj. Chicken Sando is a nice blend of soft bread bread and crips chicken. The karrage is super crisp and fresh

We used The Sando Truck for our holiday party this year (30 people) and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. People loved the karaage bites and chicken sandos! The owner, Nick, was responsive, came prepared the day of, and was easy to coordinate with. I would definitely use The Sando Truck again!

INCREDIBLE. It tastes just like grabbing one to go in Tokyo. Exactly what Santa Barbara food scene needed! My favs were the chicken sando and the potato salad. The staff was awesome too. Friendly, knowledgeable, and just kind! Will definitely go back.

Loved this sandwich stop! The sandwiches were freshly made, served up quickly, simple but packed with flavor. The gentleman who helped was incredibly friendly...Highly recommend this spot--I'll definitely be back!

A welcome addition to the great Santa Barbara food scene, the Sando Truck comes through with 5 stars. Simple, delicious and reasonably priced eats. The chicken or pork katsu sandwiches are yummy and a great option for when you're in the Funk Zone. I like both and the potato salad is also tasty and homemade! I'll definitely add this to my rotation.

Only got to try the pork Sando because they were sold out of everything else. The pork itself was delicious and crunchy, with good flavor. Bread tastes like regular white bread. It's good for what it is. Simple and yummy.

I need to try it. I've heard mixed reviews. I'm a big foodie girl. I have to try everything at least once or twice before I can make a ruling.

delicious, fast, and respectful :) we got the chicken, and it was so good! super flavorful and the chicken was cooked perfectly, highly recommend! also such a cute truck!

The Independents article prompted me to visit The Sando Truck. Enjoyed the tender flavorful pork sando with Emi's potato salad. Will definitely return to try more menu items. Be prepared to find seating if not ordering wine from the adjacent winery.