Yellow Belly Awards

Yellow Belly Restaurant Review:

You may think a restaurant named for a bird might be flighty, but Yellow Belly exceeds expectations with its simple but fresh food. The open seating with exposed-wood rafters makes this spot convivial and casual, a family place where kids can roam freely and nothing is too stuffy or ostentatious. There is patio dining as well. Appetizers range from the baked pretzel with a beer cheese dip to caramelized Brussels sprouts with bacon and a fried egg. Entrées include a traditional buttermilk-fried chicken sandwich, the Cajun-seasoned Yellow Belly burger, and a popular lamb meatball sub. We like the homemade pizzas, specifically the roasted pepper with mozzarella, caramelized onions, goat cheese and tomato sauce. What's lacking in terms of innovation is made up for with quality ingredients. Dessert is as straightforward as the ubiquitous McConnell’s ice cream, local to Santa Barbara. They keep 10 craft beers on tap as well as a few in bottles, and a small wine list.