By Lenn Grabiner –
I never, repeat never, visit Santa Barbara without having a meal at Brophy Bros., a fantastic little upstairs restaurant/bar on the marina in Santa Barbara. Don’t get the marina confused with the pier or you’ll be searching until the gulls come home.
If you don’t like crowds, stay away. But if you seek an energetic joint with zero attitude, come on down. Always packed, loud and delicious, Brophy Bros. serves an abundance of fresh, fresh, fresh seafood, served up with a large side of “WOW”.
Clams, mussels, oysters, shrimp, chowder and a huge selection of whatever is fresh that day populates a menu that makes it hard to choose just one or two items. Whether you want it grilled, steamed, fried, or on the half shell, it’s here. I usually end up ordering four or five items and then sharing with the table. Everything and anything I order is always a treat.
Oh, and did I mention the bar? Great Bloody Marys, Salty Dogs and Oyster Shooters get the blood circulating to aid digestion for the seafood sacrifice in which you soon will partake. I usually take my cocktails standing (there’s nowhere to sit) on the narrow outside deck. Stacked with small tables of diners, you are right on the water, watching the fisherman bring in their catch. To me, this is Santa Barbara at its finest.
For those afraid of the water, I believe the menu offers some items not from the sea, but I’ve never gone there. For me, it’s all about the seafood and Brophy Bros. is truly a treasure. You just don’t have to dive deep to find it, just follow your stomach.
Brophy Bros. is located at 119 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara CA. Phone number is (805) 966-4418. Web site is http://www.Brophybros.com
