Here is a list of the weekly top-five most popular stories in The Restaurant Guy email list this year, based on the percentage that people clicked to view the stories. Each email includes links to stories from the previous week … Continue reading →

Here is a message to you from Pascucci restaurant in downtown Santa Barbara: Hello beloved Santa Barbara community! We want to thank you so much for your amazing support of Pascucci for over 31 years! Two months ago we sadly … Continue reading →

The German restaurant Dutch Garden at 4203 State Street, which closed in June 2020 after decades in business, then reopened in November 2022 after extensive renovations and under new ownership, has been sold to Kelly Brown, owner of the popular … Continue reading →

Word on the street is that Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is interested in taking over the space at 509 State Street, the current home of Pascucci, which is moving in early May to the Arts District at 1230-A State Street, the … Continue reading →

Reader Eric let me know that Cajé Coffee Roasters is coming to the Patterson Center at 5340 Hollister Avenue, which is also the home to South Coast Deli, Dominoes Pizza, and Choi’s Oriental Market. Cajé, which has locations downtown and … Continue reading →

Los Angeles-based “The Win~Dow,” open 7 days a week in The Grove, Hollywood, Long Beach, Silver Lake, and Venice, is a destination for a classic smash-burgers, fried chicken sandwiches and grain bowls. Their next outpost: Santa Barbara, at 701 Chapala … Continue reading →

The building at 335 South Milpas Street, where Tri-County Produce is located, was built in the 1950s for Harry Bowman who distributed wholesale produce to the tri-counties, delivering to restaurants, schools and stores. In the 1970s Bowman sold the business … Continue reading →

The Santa Barbara Culinary Experience (the SBCE) presents its annual showcase of all things food and drink in Santa Barbara County, May 12-18, 2025. This week-long celebration, presented in collaboration with The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary … Continue reading →

Reader Rob P. has requested I post some restaurants stats. I think I have posted the answer to both these questions in the past so I will take a look. If you have any suggestions please post them here. Hi … Continue reading →

On March 16, 2025, Black Sheep at 18 East Cota Street will host a special brunch & silent auction in support of Peace in a Pod Elementary, a local, independent Montessori school nestled in the heart of the Presidio neighborhood. … Continue reading →

Reader Mimi tells me about the results of her quest to find the best burger in town. “In my search for the best hamburger (not smashburger) I found it: Lieu Dit tasting room at 23 E. Canon Perdido on Thursday … Continue reading →

Last July I broke the news that Takashi Ramen is coming to 7060 Hollister Avenue Suite 102 in Goleta, next to Smart & Final, in the former home of Pickles & Swiss. I am happy to report they have opened. … Continue reading →

La Paloma Cafe at 702 Anacapa Street has welcomed John Parker as its new executive chef. With 18 years of experience, Parker has honed his craft at numerous establishments, including Bettina, where he was celebrated for his seasonal menus, and … Continue reading →

Reader Brendan sent me a message that a “change of ownership” alcohol license sign has appeared in the window of Savoy Cafe at 24 West Figueroa Street. I called the business who confirmed that there was a change of ownership … Continue reading →

Health and safety photos will be used to make decisions to stop illegal food vendors in Santa Barbara County, says reader Primetime. Restaurant owners in the area of these street kitchens have openly complained about the loss of business to … Continue reading →

I found this KMGQ business card in my garage the other day. For those of you who don’t know about life before Google, Yelp, or Instagram, phone lines were a common way to get updated restaurant information. I assume it … Continue reading →

Chef Roth Ironside, formerly of Stella Mares restaurant which closed at the end of 2024, is now the Director of Operations for The Harbor Restaurant and Longboard’s Grill on Stearns Wharf. “After we made incredible strides in the beautiful multi-million … Continue reading →

Last week I wrote that Yona Redz, which planned to move next to their Santa Playa Mariscos restaurant, in a space at 1230-A State Street (the former home of Saigon), had decided to give up the lease to another restaurant. … Continue reading →

Rusty’s Pizza at 3731 State Street will be closed for maintenance starting Monday, March 2nd for approximately 3 months. Delivery is still available through rustyspizza.com or by calling 805-564-1111. Customers are welcome to pick up their orders or dine in … Continue reading →

Hi John, Reaching out to share that just in time for peak outdoor dining season, Bar Lou, the recently opened French-inspired restaurant in Montecito helmed by regionally beloved restaurateurs Brandon Boudet and Warner Ebbink, the duo behind Little Dom’s Seafood … Continue reading →

Hi John Is there any restaurant in the Santa Barbara and Goleta area that has Sloppy Joes on the menu? William & Judy Slager

Petra Cafe at 14 East Cota Street, offering  Jordainian cusine, is doing a lunch special from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. for $10 after tax . Offerings include Shawarma wrap, Kofta wrap, and Falafel wrap. Also available are the $5 … Continue reading →

Reader Steve H. let me know that Mercado El Rey at 305 West Montecito Street is opening a new location at 101 North Milpas Street. The grocery market offers meat, seafood, produce, ice cream, and more. Photo by Steve H.

Last month I broke the news that Elubia’s Kitchen at 325 Rutherford Street in Goleta, is opening a second location at 6578 Trigo Road in Isla Vista, the former home of Pueblo Pollo, Checo’s Mexican restaurant, Mojo, 805 Kabob, Lovin … Continue reading →

Reader Cris S. passed me a message from Goodland BBQ which opened at 5725 Hollister Avenue in Goleta in March 2022, in the former long-time home of Alphie’s: Dear BBQ Lovers We’re excited to announce that our beloved Goodland BBQ … Continue reading →

Last July I broke the news that Takashi Ramen is coming to 7060 Hollister Avenue in Goleta, next to Smart & Final, in the former home of Pickles & Swiss. Today I received a press-release from the restaurant that says … Continue reading →

This just in from reader Primetime: “Danny Jimenez of Lito’s fame in Santa Barbara has passed away at 92. Lito’s is a long standing, locally owned Mexican restaurant with traditional recipes and a bustling in person or on line, grab … Continue reading →

Zen Yai Thai Cuisine, inside the Filipino Community Building at 425 State Street, closed last weekend after decades in business. Renovations have begun to create the future home of a new restaurant that will also serve Thai cuisine.

Last September I wrote that Yona Redz closed at 532 State Street and planned to move next to their Santa Playa Mariscos restaurant at 1230 State Street near the Granada Theatre. A “coming soon” sign at the future home of … Continue reading →

In 1969, Roger and Carol Duncan scraped enough money together to open “Rusty’s Roast Beef” in Isla Vista at the corner of Embarcadero Del Norte and Pardall Road, where Dublin’s Sports Grill is now. Before their restaurant journey began, Roger … Continue reading →

Hi Restaurant Guy, We will be making heart-shaped pizzas all week long Tuesday, February 11 thru Sunday, February 16. Erin K. Santa Barbara Pizza House 515 State Street

Reader IMissRexOfSB says that Takashi Ramen, coming soon to 7060 Hollister Avenue, the former home of Pickles & Swiss Deli, has posted their menu on the window and sent me a photo of it.

The Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce is presenting a special week-long event: a seven-day celebration of dining and beverage artistry in conjunction with the restaurant owners of the Lompoc Valley. Lompoc Restaurant Week is scheduled for February 17- 23 and … Continue reading →

Last summer I stopped by Yetz’s Bagels at 901 Embarcadero Del Mar Ste. 103 in Isla Vista and spoke with owner Daniel “Yetz” Dunietz who told me about the history and future of his business. He had recently closed his … Continue reading →

Moby Dick Restaurant CEO Karl Hutterer let me know that his eatery has started a special dinner series called the Captain’s Table that are fun culinary events that also feature opportunities to learn about our local environments, the sustenance we … Continue reading →

Mission City Sandwich Shop, brought to you by lovers of all things sandwich, Paige and Nate Simandle, opens Thursday, February 13 at 1826 Cliff Drive Ste. A, the former home of Sweeties Ice Cream Shop. “We’ve lived in Santa Barbara … Continue reading →

Here is a message to you from reader Rip: Hi John, Just wanted to let you know that the FLIR Cafe [at 6769 Hollister Avenue in Goleta] has re-opened under new management. White Caps Beach Club is now running the … Continue reading →

Executive Chef Jason Paluska and his team at The Lark, 131 Anacapa Street , are offering a memorable evening of Southern hospitality with Southern Goods, a special dinner on Thursday, February 27, at 6:30 p.m. For one night only, The … Continue reading →

Today I received a message from Antonio Gerli, General Manager of The Ellwood restaurant coming to Goleta Beach, in the former home of Beachside Bar-Cafe, who tells me that the seaside dining destination hopes to open next week but does … Continue reading →

Reader Steve C. tells me that Angel Oak restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara closed in January. I spoke to the Bacara and they said a new restaurant operated by a third party will replace it. Angel Oak opened in June … Continue reading →