Rusty’s Pizza Parlor

When I first moved to SB i figured out quickly that Rustys was the quickest and easiest for deliveries. All the competition, whether a commercial chain like Dominos or a mom n’ pop like Woodstocks, Always took longer than Rusty’s. I really like they have 1 phone number for all locations, it just makes sense. Even in the age of cell phone when I can barely remember my own job’s phone number, I surely remember Rusty’s.
Now to the pizza. I feel like the pizza quality has declined over the years. I’m not sure when they switched to frozen dough, but you can easily tell that the crust is not fresh. It kind of reminds me of a memory foam mattress. The sauce is still the same, but the pizza looks mass produced and the taste is very average-​average sauce with an average number of toppings, on top of a greasy memory foam bed.
I will still order when I get off work late and get lazy, but that’s because SB has very few options after 10pm when I get off work. Other than that, I’m looking for another go-​to pizza delivery.

It’s Friday night and this place is packed! Reliable pizza, video games for the kids and comfortable spacious setting. Great salad bar at this location in particular.

The building is bizarre and looks like something you’d see walking down a fake street at Disney’s California Adventure but it’s an improvement from the dark and slightly dingy old spot. The pizza is delicious as usual. The salad bar is a big upgrade from the old location with a selection of greens and significantly more topping options. It does get hectic in here. Last week this location was such a mob scene we actually got back in the car and drove out to the Storke location.

Rusty’s is the best thin crust pizza in the area, bar none. Whoever Rusty was/​is a frickin magician. The ingredients are delicious, the oh so slightly burned edge cheese is outlandish and the service is almost always on point. Pretty good salad bar as well. There are many cheaper options, but none compare. My only complaint is the $.55 they want to charge for a side of their delicious ranch dressing. Cut it out Rusty, you’re way too good for that.

Growing up in Santa Barbara i have had Rustys food numerous times. Today i decided to go and try their self proclaimed juiciest, meatiest, best chicken wings. They took awhile to come out but I figured atleast they will be fresh. I got them with the hottest sauce that they are marketing, which turned out to have zero heat and taste of vinegar. .but that wasn’t the worst of it. The wings had NO meat on them… all they had was fat and cartilage. Extremely small in size, in fact looking at the bones they didn’t even seem to be chicken. Also, at one point i bit into ice. I really was trying not to vomit all day afterwards. SO in summary… not chicken, no meat, nasty sauce. Please stop selling these before someone gets seriously sick.

Bottom Line: Rusty’s is not what it used to be
Im not sure what Rusty’s is playing at with this new cathedral built for Pizza in the Calle Real center. It a huge kind of train station looking place which is very nice but certainly out of place.
Im not sure what was wrong with their other location which has been there since I was a kid but this appears to be better for them.
The problem that I have with Rustys is that every time we go, I end up spending $ 40 for a pizza and a couple drinks. Im trying to go to their website to check the menu for reference and it keeps asking me to sign in, like Im a web administrator.
Rusty’s just isnt as good as it used to be. Its never bad, the food is always pretty good but for the money, Im just not that into it anymore.

Reminds me of Chuck E Cheese… So many families with kids. Great dining space, very comfy booths.
So you order at the counter and find a seat. They call your name and number when your pizza is ready. Very nice peeps behind the counter, good vibes. We tried the large Rusty’s special pan pizza (you can opt for thin crust) … It’s very good. Anchovies or bell pepper optional. We got the bell pepper, no anchovies.
If you want ranch or marinara sauce to dip, it’s .75 cents per small container.
If you order beer, go for the $ 10 pitcher instead of the tiny $ 5 glass. Fountain drinks self refillable. They’ve a private room for birthday parties or whatnot. Salad bar is a «one trip only» which is kinda lame. Your Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper, salt n pepper are set at a designated counter that you can get for your table. Also, they’ve people cleaning the tables after you leave so that’s pretty nice.
Looks like they’re expanding their parking lot since the Fig Grill next door is a goner. I hope so cuz we had to sneak a parking in the bank lot and skip over.