Our weekly Events Wire newsletter is your guide to Northern Santa Barbara County concerts, arts, and local happenings—delivered every Friday.
Don’t let the size of J’s Burgers fool you. It’s a small joint, with some tables inside and a small counter and soda fountain. Nondescript, lacking any dominant decorating theme or over-the-top merchandising, J’s is a quiet space still growing after just four months of being open. But what J’s lacks in ornamentation they make […]
I guess I’m going through a black bean phase because I am also completely head over heels for the black bean tostadas at Natural Cafe (pictured). They are really refreshing and extremely filling but not too heavy. Pick them up at 2407 S Broadway, Santa Maria. 937-2735. Bob’s Well Bread is doling out these divine […]
• Chef Drew Terp (who is set to host another cooking class on Oct. 28) at PICO unveiled a truly epic burger at a recent burger night at the Los Alamos eatery. The breakfast burger features two 6 ounce patties, white cheddar, grilled bacon, avocado, English muffin, and an egg along with a side of […]
Until the early 1970s, Sides Hardware and Shoes delivered what its name promised. In 1901 the original building was put up by an aspiring businessman named Milburn Sides. He started M. Sides Hardware and Shoes, supplying the slowly growing ranch town as a fixture in the small community. But in 1970s, when American tastes leaned […]
• Florianos 805 has excellent tacos, burgers, and more, but their ceviche (picture) is pretty incredible, too. Try it out at 1129 N. H St., Lompoc. • Rancho San Julian’s Pumpkin Patch is now open Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. The ranch store […]
For some reason this week, I have “Food Glorious Food” from the musical Oliver! stuck in my head. I’ve been singing it nonstop for two days (much to the “delight” of those close to me who have to endure my shaky singing skills). So I’m giving in and writing about some truly glorious food that […]
Burgers are a complicated little package. In 2001, acclaimed French chef Daniel Boulud launched a revolution in fine dining with a gourmet burger. He originally made the dish for a journalist who wanted to interview him about a group of French terrorists who had threatened to blow up a McDonald’s. Boulud had no intentions of […]
Lidos is hitting the road. Literally! Lidos, a staple in Santa Maria in various formats for years, is now a food truck focused on sandwiches such as Philly cheesesteaks and and hot pastrami. I can’t testify to how the food truck compares to the original Lidos restaurant because, sadly, I never had a chance to […]
It’s finally here. Following some long months of anticipation, Cubanissimo food truck has finally found its permanent home. I grew up in South Florida, where we had a lot of home-cooked Cuban food around. It’s hard to get authentic Cuban food in some regions (aside from the staple “Cuban” sandwich at some sandwich shops, which […]
Well, lucky me! The restaurant has been open for months, I’ve written a lot about their sustainability practices—and now I finally had a chance to have a big, filling meal at The Bear and Star in Los Olivos. By now, you’ve probably heard the story of how the venue makes sustainability and local sourcing a […]
At Bello Forno in the bright lights and with laughter coming from inside, it feels as refreshing as the crisp night air. Summer is winding down, but there’s still a touch of mild heat as people make their way into the new eatery. I instantly feel some kind of connection. The decor, the furniture, the […]
Everyone who lives in Santa Maria has a favorite taco spot in town. Poll 20 people on the street and you’ll get almost 20 different answers. At least once a week I’ll have a reader or friend tell me that I need to check out “the absolute best most amazing Mexican restaurant,” and it’s usually […]
