The food scene at UCSB changed significantly within my four years of attendance. I wrote this for a friend who had recently transferred from the Bay Area, and who was having trouble adjusting to his new college environment. Since we often went out to eat together back home, I thought it would be useful to make a list of pre-approved food spots that can curb his homesickness.
The Santa Barbara Area actually has good food, trust!
(in no particular order)
Hana Kitchen - All bowls here are college wallet-friendly, and their add-ons are a must-have. Pickled ginger, jalapeños, soy sauce cucumbers, and a generous drizzle of spicy mayo compliment the barbecue beef and chicken perfect. And yes, the vegan version deserves the hype. I’d even go so far as to say it is the best thing on the menu.
Mojo Teahouse - This is the best boba in Isla Vista. When I first tried it, my immediate thought was that the other boba shops in the area are going to shut down. I recommend the jasmine milk tea and Thai milk tea. Don’t pay extra for honey oolong because the difference in flavor isn’t noticeable. I also like their mango stars. For food, all of it is good, but the chicken wings blew me away! The only downside is that they are often out of supply.
Lao Wang - Their noodle soups fill me up! I genuinely like the flavors. The soups are called mala tang, which is a type of Chinese street-style hotpot. You can choose either egg noodles or vermicelli, and a combination of cool toppings like beef tendon, a variety of fish balls, and vegetables! The popcorn chicken here is good but it’s a hit or miss depending on the chef—one time I got it and it was filled to the brim of the bag, another time it was less than a third of the bag.
Los Agaves - The only $14 burrito that I’d pay for. I had my doubts, but this American-Mexican fusion spot seriously won me over. The mango salsa and orange sauce makes their signature unique. The store markets itself as a bit more upscale than your mom-and-pop shop, but their food really delivers. The portions can easily last you two meals. Also, they have an enormous selection of salsa for chips.
Bagel Cafe - The prices here want you to take out a mortgage to pay for a bagel but the trick is, go there once, sign up for their rewards, and wait each month for a $5 drink and bagel coupon. Their everything bagel converted me from a Costco bagel die-hard to an occasional gourmet bagel lover. I exclusively get their International Bagel and hazelnut coffee. The layers of turkey meat and avocado in the bagel gives a great protein punch before classes or the gym. For this menu, I compared all the ingredients to get the most bang for my buck. Lox bagels aren’t my thing, but they shine through here.
Himalayan Kitchen - What sets this restaurant apart from other South Asian spots? The momos! The flavor was strong in spices, and the yak meat has a particular chew unlike your boring canvas of chicken or beef. I can assure you that this is the only store for miles that sells it. The cinnamon lassi was interesting, a nice yogurt drink that is different from the typical mango (they have strawberry here too)! I also recommend the lamb curry if you can handle the smell. It goes well with their naan.
Bluewater Grill - The best happy hour in all of Santa Barbara. You can hunt on Yelp all you’d like, but I guarantee that this spot has the best selections on their menu (starting at only $4) and the best bang-for-your-buck. The store itself looks like it was pulled out of Country Living with a nautical twist. Their parmesan french fries are to die for. Their chicken wings? Six whole wings—drum, flat, and tip intact—are sprinkled generously with Old Bay. Artichoke and crab dip? Makes me wish my stomach was a bottomless pit.
IV Deli Mart - Their buffalo chicken cheese fries are the OG late night cravings food. Mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders, and other fried goods are also ecstasy-inducing. My college memories will always have a soft spot for IV Deli.
Blenders - Like Jamba Juice but less corporate. I like piña coladas or the guava smoothies. The matcha drink is tasty but they blend 4 scoops of ice cream in there. Just order a healthy power-up in it (bee pollen, multivitamin mix, etc.) for a good dose of irony.
Nikka Ramen - Really good, warming, surprisingly legit ramen in SB. The chicken karaage is good too. I like this black garlic ramen but it is F A T T Y and I can’t finish one whole bowl alone, it’s so thick.
The Habit - Onion rings. Enough said. (Did you know the original store is in downtown SB?)
7-11 - Yes, I’m ending this list with 7-11. They have cheap, excellent wings. Don’t @ me.
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