Bibi Ji

Review summary

1. T

   Tony

   Greater Boston

   19 reviews

   5.0

   19 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Loved the food. So authentic and delicious. What a gem to have in Santa Barbara.
   

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2. S

   Sara

   Houston

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   The food was delicious and the service was amazing. They were incredibly kind and accommodating, and made great recommendations on food and wine.
   

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3. I

   Ian

   Los Angeles

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great service, amazing food, our favorite Indian restaurant in Santa Barbara
   

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4. T

   Tiffany

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 2

   We came in five minutes early to our reservation and were sat at a four top literally at the front door. There were two other four tops open when we were seated but told the computer system would not let them move our seat. One of the available four tops was not sat for 45 minutes. We were given the worst table in the restaurant when it was only 50% full at arrvial time and I made the reservation ten days in advance. As the night went on we were so close to the front doors that people literally pushed up against our chairs because there is no waiting space around the front podium. At least ten people were waiting for their tables and surrounded ours near the door and podium. One of the dishes that we ordered was not included by mistake and when it arrived is was very watery. I used to order this dish as my favorite when at other location and it was nothing like it used to be. I sent it back and was told that it was a new dish and it was prepared properly. Overall the food was very good but the portion sizes for the price is very poor. A $9 side of raita was less than 1/4 cup. $25 dollar butter chicken is one chopped chicken thigh worth of meat. Very tasty, just wish portions were a bit bigger. We had four people and two of us only took one bite of chicken and other two got two bites. We are told these are all shareable plates. Overall food was good, service was good. Just very disappointed with our table location and lack of staff care to try and accommodate.
   

   Bibi JiResponded today

   We're sorry that you were unhappy with your table. As we explained on Valentine's Day, we were fully booked for the evening, and with President's Day Weekend and Film Festival, we had extremely high demand. Every seat in the house was committed for reservations. My husband and I own the restaurant, and I personally spoke with a member of your party regarding the bill and made sure that you were not charged for the Yellow Dal after hearing you did not enjoy it. It is a new addition to our menu since moving to our new location, and many guests enjoy it as a vegan option. It is much thinner in consistency than our Dal Makhni (also a lentil dish we have offered for many years). We appreciate your continued business in our new location and hope you will join us again perhaps on a quieter night!
   

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5. T

   Teri

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on February 8, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 1

   Space is very much alive with techno music, too loud for our taste. Food is delicious!
   

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6. D

   Darcy

   VIP

   Palm Springs

   24 reviews

   5.0

   24 reviews

   Dined on February 8, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   I love your food! I am not sure why this is the second time I have been to BiBi Ji when they have been out of the Murg Chicken and the only other chicken dish aside from the butter chicken has cheese on it. The Murg Chicken is a staple and if you can’t keep that there should be a ready equal substitute. At the very least kabobs or something. Anyway the positive side to this was I did try a new dish with SHRIMP and it was very delicious although I’m not a big shrimp eater I loved the vegetables and the sauce in the dish the most. ❤️ Thank you for making great food consistently and not changing the quality!!
   

   Bibi JiResponded on February 8, 2025

   Thank you for your kind words, Darcy! Sorry to hear you weren't able to enjoy an order of Murgh Tikka last night. It is one of our most popular dishes, and occasionally, we do sell out on busy nights. We will be ready with more this evening and hope you can come back and enjoy it sometime soon! We do recommend giving the Malai Kebabs a try, as you mention there is cheese in the marinade which tenderizes the chicken but does not impart an overtly cheese flavor (similar to the function of the yogurt marinade on the Murgh Tikka).
   

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7. L

   Laura

   Central Coast

   7 reviews

   4.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on February 7, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Excellent service and delicious food. We particularly enjoyed the generous crispy cauliflower and the murgh tikka. And the wine selection was on point -- I enjoyed two different grenaches which were perfect accompaniments to the dishes. Looking forward to another visit.
   

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8. J

   Josh

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   25 reviews

   5.0

   25 reviews

   Dined on February 5, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Phenomenal Indian with a modern twist and Fantastic wine list. The Best service imaginable and a really fun environment. Don’t miss this Jewel
   

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9. S

   Sara

   VIP

   Austin

   15 reviews

   4.0

   15 reviews

   Dined on February 1, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Great Indian place right on the main road in town. Solid drink list with lots of natural wine and non-alcoholic options as well!
   

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10. J

    Jeannine

    Central Coast

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 1, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 1

    I was a big fan of the original restaurant on lower State St, but not so much of the new location. The ambience is rather cold and stark (the logo is strange...better suited to a bubble gum brand or ice cream parlor), and the service was mixed. Everyone was welcoming and friendly, but the waitstaff didn't seem particularly well trained or knowledgeable about their food and wine pairings (something the staff excelled at in past visits). The food is still good, but doesn't seem quite up to par the last few times I've been to the new location, and it's on the expensive side for the portion size. They no longer offer cocktails either, which is a mild disappointment. Overall, it's still a good option, but it just doesn't live up to the reputation it had established at the prior location.
    

    Bibi JiResponded on February 5, 2025

    We appreciate your continued support through our relocation. We do want to clarify that our menu remains the same as it was at our previous spot on lower State St. Additionally, we have never offered cocktails, as we have always been a beer and wine-only establishment. We appreciate your input on the service and ambiance and will keep working to refine as our staff has grown along with our new space. We hope to welcome you back soon and provide the experience you remember and love!
    

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