The original Nugget in Summerland opened in 1970 and continues going strong as is the Nugget at 5687 Calle Real in Goleta which opened in 2009. Some “experimental” Nuggets came and went at 21 West Victoria Street (2015-2018) and 5096 Carpinteria Avenue in Carpinteria (2016-2017).
Reader Foodie Dan, who has been sending me tips since the early-1990s (before this column was born, during the days when I operated the very first online Santa Barbara restaurant guide), tells me that The Nugget is returning to Carpinteria at 892 Linden Avenue, the former home of Senor Frogs and the almost-home of Linden Hall. I called the Summerland location which confirmed the news and also said that the Carpinteria restaurant is still in the planning stages. It might have a limited menu (or maybe a full menu) and might be called “Nuggies” (or maybe The Nugget). They hope to open sometime this summer and are actively working on getting a liquor license.
The Nugget is coming to the former home of Senor Frogs in Carpinteria. Photo by The Restaurant Guy from 2006.
By Summer…clearly this was close to being done when Linden Hall bailed out.
Surprising that the Nugget is going to try Carpinteria again. What is going to happen to the beautiful bookstore that is currently in the space?
Bookstore will remain. The nugget will be in the small space next door
Beautiful bookstore?!? Don’t judge a book it’s cover. This store engages in censorship, discrimination, 501(c)(3) abuse, employee abuse, lies about publishing and publishing experience and many other negative activities.
This is false. I’ve been working here for a while now and the owners are a lovely family who’ve been nothing but kind to me, flexible with my schedule, and legitimate. they are both charismatic, hardworking people and have been faced with an excessive amount of turmoil since opening last november. they’ve created a beautiful, welcoming environment for book lovers for all ages and all walks of life, and i’m sure my coworkers and customers who come in can attest to that. I think Carp has enough amazing restaurants and bars and doesn’t need another; especially one that has already failed trying to open here…
How long, Jamie? A month or so, or less? Or are you another fake member of the “klan?”
Truth.
Turmoil?!?! In the magical, beautiful (drug) kingdom? If so, it is self inflicted.