Goleta Restaurant
Los Arroyos Mexican Restaurant
losarroyos.net Tracy Collins, administrative coordinator for the busy network of Los Arroyos restaurants, counts working with a team that can make jokes while accomplishing great things as one of her favorite parts of her job. She writes that “this award is particularly special to us because we love being part of the Goleta community and are happy that our customers love us too.” RUNNER-UP: Jane at the Marketplace
Carpinteria Restaurant Padaro Beach Grill
padarobeachgrill.com For Will Ransone of Padaro Beach Grill, this award is very much about teamwork throughout the pandemic. He writes that “it’s a direct reflection on all of my employees, and their excellent efforts throughout the past year providing an enjoyable experience to our guests.” He’s also a generous supporter of everyone in the local restaurant community, voicing his feeling that “there are so many talented operators who put out excellent food and service daily” in Carpinteria that they all deserve our support. RUNNER-UP: Rincon Brewery
Isla Vista Restaurant
Freebirds World Burrito
freebirdsiv.com This Isla Vista institution has been feeding hungry college students since 1987. With a fast, efficient assembly setup behind the counter, and a new, COVID-safe system for keeping most of the waiting line outside, Freebirds can still handle the late-night rush better than any other spot in town, and it’s open until 11 p.m. every night. RUNNER-UP: Woodstock’s Pizza
Montecito Restaurant •
Eating Fried Chicken Sandwich
Breakfast
honorbar.com The bar/restaurant experience doesn’t come any better than this. Situated in the heart of Coast Village Road, The Honor Bar serves up great shareable snacks, delicious sandwiches (including the winner in our new category for Fried Chicken Sandwiches), and healthy salads alongside great drinks, wines, and beers. The cozy indoor booths and club-like bar seating offer one kind of experience, while the seats outside deliver another: the unique people-watching vibe that makes Montecito special. RUNNER-UP (Montecito Restaurant): Bettina RUNNER-UP (Fried Chicken Sandwich): Shalhoob’s Funk Zone Patio
cajunkitchencafe.com Lines for tables forming outside on weekends are one way to know you’re doing something right, and another is winning a big category like Best Breakfast. Owner Richard Jimenez Jr. is proud of what he and his staff have achieved in their multiple Santa Barbara and Goleta locations. “We do our best to give our customers an enjoyable experience and to have their support is awesome,” he says. “We’re super grateful.” RUNNER-UP: Jeannine’s
The Honor Bar
Cajun Kitchen
Sunday Brunch • Happy Hour • Bloody Mary Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach
Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Industrial Eats
industrialeats.com It’s no secret that some of the region’s most exciting restaurants are in the Santa Ynez Valley, where experimenting with great ingredients and novel presentation techniques has become the norm. When Jeff and Janet Olsson of New West Catering opened Industrial Eats in late 2013, their intention was to create an atmosphere that was welcoming and casual yet appropriate for serving dishes such as oysters with caviar or smoked pheasant salad alongside their amazing pizzas. The concept took off immediately, and now our voters have chosen Eats as their favorite in this highly competitive category. RUNNER-UP: S.Y. Kitchen
2981 Cliff Dr.; (805) 898-2628 The Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach has always been blessed with an extraordinary location. The views from its restaurant, bar, and patio are all unsurpassed. Yet there’s more to the Boathouse than the beach, and that’s quite evident from their triple crown of Best Sunday Brunch, Happy Hour, and Bloody Mary.
RUNNER-UP (Sunday Brunch): Scarlett Begonia RUNNER-UP (Happy Hour): La Playa Azul Café RUNNER-UP (Bloody Mary): Brophy Bros.
Salad Bar
Savoy Café & Deli
Appetizers/Tapas Loquita
loquitasb.com The corner of State and Yanonali has not been the same since Loquita took up its position there as the city’s premier exponent of Spanish cuisine. Serving a wide variety of tapas along with such spectacular mains as their much-vaunted paellas, Loquita is fully booked on the regular. “It’s fun to see people become completely immersed in Spanish-style food,” said GM Michael Bowlds, especially “when it’s their first exposure to it.” RUNNER-UP: milk & honey
bestof 2021
Santa barbara
®
savoycafe.weebly.com Salad aficionados know to head to Savoy on Figueroa Street, as year in and year out, they claim this category. Owners Paul and Kathy Shields make sure that the bar is stocked with more than enough fresh vegetables, house-roasted meats, and homemade dressings to satisfy even the most discerning greens lovers. RUNNER-UP: Chuck’s of Hawaii
Chinese Restaurant China Pavilion
china-pavilion.com Delivering outstanding service every day and delicious dim sum on the weekends has put China Pavilion on Chapala Street into a class of its own when it comes to Chinese food in Santa Barbara. Their extensive lunch and dinner menu offers everything from familiar favorites like Kung Pao Chicken to Szechuan Spicy Peppercorn Hot Pot and even classic Peking Duck. There are plenty of vegetarian options, and when the dim sum menu goes into effect on Saturday morning, they add dozens of different dumplings and other small plates to the selection. RUNNER-UP: China Palace
INDEPENDENT.COM
OCTOBER 21, 2021
THE INDEPENDENT
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