Posts by Andre Sanchez

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.

Ever try to go out to lunch during the week with several co-workers? It usually goes something like this: All of you get together, only to end up bickering for 20 minutes about where to go. Inevitably no one can make a decision (or no one wants to) and you all end up at a TGI Fridays eating deep fried god-knows what, with waiters singing happy birthday to a crying toddler at the table next to you. You come back from lunch more stressed out then when you left, and you ended up paying 18 dollars for a meal you would have happily avoided. Well, next time you guys are having trouble picking a spot, try the South Coast Deli. It has two locations, one in Goleta and a new location in Downtown Santa Barbara, and it’s sure to leave all your co-workers satisfied.

There’s nothing fancy about South Coast Deli, it’s your typical looking sandwich spot, but what separates this place from the pack is the sheer variety of sandwiches they offer. Combine that with fresh ingredients and hearty portions of Deli meat and you've got yourself a great lunchtime spot to keep all the co-workers happy...that is until they actually go back to work.

The menu ranges from hot and cold sandwiches to salads, all of which are priced reasonably, usually between 6 and 8 dollars. Their sandwiches range from the normal run-of-the-mill sandwich like the Turkey Hoagie, to the exotic such as the Flank Steak Panini, all of which are rather tasty. You can also add chips and a drink to your sandwich, or try one of their freshly made smoothies. I recently ordered the Roast Beef Hottie (Roast beef w/ melted hot pepper jack, garlic-tabasco mayo, ?lettuce, tomato & red onion) for $6.95.

I’ll admit, at first I was intimidated by the ingredients, but after overcoming my initial fear, I bit into one of the best sandwiches I've had in Santa Barbara. If nothing on the menu tickles your fancy, or you’re just very picky, then South Coast also lets you build your own from their variety of meats and cheeses for $6.75. Unlike most Delis in the area which are somewhat stingy with the ingredients, South Coast tends to be a little more generous and pile on the meat for you, giving you more bang for your buck.

If all of you don’t have the time to go out to lunch, you can also call South Coast and have them cater, which is very convenient for offices that are especially busy and can’t meet a deadline with a growling stomach.

One downside of the South Coast Deli in Goleta is that it is located right across the street from a large hospital, so lunch hours can get a little hectic and the wait may be a little longer than normal. Also, the parking lot is rather small and is shared by a few businesses, so sometimes you might have difficulty finding a spot. Other than these two minor problems, South Coast Deli is a great place to eat lunch.

Hopefully this article has helped you pick a great sandwich spot and will be the end of your co-worker lunch time woes...well, at least for now.

If you want to find a great mid-priced steakhouse in Santa Barbara that is a little under the radar, Tee-Off at 3627 State St is the place to go. Not many tourists know about it because of its off beat location and shoddy outside appearance, but inside this upper state street eatery you will find one of the premier steak houses in Santa Barbara county for its price range.

Tee-Off, unlike many steakhouses, follows a loose "golf-theme" style, complete with plaid green wallpaper and pictures of Arnold Palmer on the walls, but you don't have to be a golf fan to eat here. Whether it's the "Birdie prime rib" or their excellent selection of house martinis (which pack quite a punch), your sure to find a dish you'll enjoy. You might want to make sure before-hand that your date isn't a vegetarian, as the menu consists of mostly chicken and beef dishes (and that could definitely make for an awkward first date). All dinners come complete with a salad, soup, vegetables, and a side of mashed potato's/fries, and your sure to leave with a full stomach.

The dim lighting, small size and full bar add to the "golf-club" theme and actually add a touch of intimacy and personality into this restaurants atmosphere, making it quite a unique place to take someone out. However, its small size can also but also contribute to its long wait times. On a Friday or Saturday night, be sure to make a reservation, as this "locals-centric" steakhouse tends to get very packed quite early. Tee-Off has also raised their prices considerably in the past couple of years because of its rising popularity, but considering what most steak-houses charge in Santa Barbara for a full meal, you definitely get your money's worth. The wait staff was very courteous and attentive, and I never had to flag anyone down to get a drink, however a couple of people mentioned that the steak was a little rarer than what they asked for. All in all, Tee-Off is a wonderful place to take someone if you're looking for a small, unique, intimate setting...especially if you're trying to impress a golf-fan!

Contributing editor Andre Jordan "Sanch" Sanchez will only eat steaks while wearing plaid green golf pants