Everyone I know always tends to feel a little guilty going out to eat, especially if the place you’re going has a drive-thru window. In the fast paced digital world we live in, it’s hard to go out to a place that actually has good wholesome food that hasn’t been fortified with a small laboratories worth of chemicals. One such place, whose mission is to provide one of the largest health food menu's around town, is the Natural Cafe.
Natural Cafe has been a fixture in the Santa Barbara area for many years, and has been quite successful at spreading its "No red meat, vegetarian friendly" gospel. Natural cafe has been so successful at targeting a vegetarian/vegan friendly niche that there are now over 9 locations in Southern California, which is quite impressive for an independently owned food chain.
Now I know what you’re all thinking. Usually when someone throws around the terms "healthy fast food", "vegetarian friendly" or anything like that, people instantly flash back to that Simpson’s episode where Lisa becomes a vegetarian and she proclaims at the Family BBQ that she’s made "enough gazpacho for all!". Well, I'm going to tell you that just because The Natural Cafe touts itself as a healthy alternative to fast food, does not mean that you’re confined to cold soup and tofu bricks as some might expect (I know, shocking isn't it?). I'm one of the biggest carnivores I know, and I actually quite enjoy the natural cafe.
Natural Cafe, while having vegan and vegetarian friendly options, also has fish, turkey and chicken based dishes. They also offer a wide assortment of appetizers, shakes, salads and even offer a children's menu for those parents who are looking to raise their kids to eat healthy. Instead of having the traditional "French Fries" as sides with the meal, Natural Cafe offers blue chips with salsa or salad garnish instead. All of the dishes on the menu are moderately priced (usually between 6 and 10 dollars) and are probably 10 times fresher and better for you than you'll find on most fast food menus. My favorite all time dish is the Gobbler Burger; a turkey patty based burger covered with sprouts, Thousand Island dressing, and red onions. I was actually skeptical about the gobbler burger at first (who puts sprouts on a burger?) but it has become my Natural Cafe staple, and i actually really like sprouts now. Another good dish is their chicken enchiladas, which are sure to please. Their blueberry shake is also one of my favorites and, although a tad expensive ($3.50), tastes absolutely amazing, and is made with fresh blueberries!
Now I know right off the bat this place not appeal too everyone. Healthy food places, like Natural Cafe serve dishes which are naturally very low in sodium and fat, which means that they're not as flavorful as some other places: its is after all healthy food, and you can only dress it up so much until, well, it becomes unhealthy. Some people might find this place not their cup of tea for other reasons; sorry steak and burger fans, but no red meat is offered on their menu. But if your one of those people who wants to make their eating habits a little healthier, lose a couple pounds, or just try something different without spending a lot of money, I would definitely recommend Natural Cafe.
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