University of California - Santa Barbara
- Off-Campus Dining

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University of California - Santa Barbara - Off-Campus Dining - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.46

Off-Campus Dining

Quick Stats

Student Favorites
  • Café international
  • Freebirds World Burrito
  • The Pita Pit
  • Rosarito’s
  • Silvergreens
  • Supa Cucas
  • Woodstock's
24-Hour Dining Freebirds World Burrito
Best Asian Pick Up Stix
Best Breakfast
  • Bagel Café
  • Café International
  • Cajun Kitchen
  • Rosarito’s (breakfast burrito)
Best Healthy
  • The Natural Café
  • Silvergreens
Best Pizza
  • Giovanni's
  • Woodstock's Pizza
Best Wings Dublin's
Best Place to Take Your Parents Hollister Brewing Company
Other Places to Check Out
  • Fresh Start
  • Palazzio
  • Sushi Teri

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

This tourist city has anything that you might crave—and then some. In Isla Vista, go to Freebirds for 24-hour Mexican food or Woodstock’s for unique pizza concoctions that everyone loves. Cantina is the best for breakfast burritos—even locals like Brad Pitt know that. Students enjoy the variety and the quality of restaurants in Isla Vista. There are good Mexican and Italian places in abundance, and plenty of spots to get good sushi. It is also easy to find a restaurant that serves healthy food, like Silvergreens.

Goleta, the city that encompasses Isla Vista, features a couple of good restaurants, such as the Habit, a good and greasy hamburger and milkshake place, or the Natural Café, an inexpensive and healthy restaurant. Santa Barbara, which is about a 10-minute drive from campus, has what seems like a million restaurants to choose from. A good place to go for a dinner that’s under $25 a person is the Palace Grill on the Harbor. This modest list just scratches the surface of all of the great restaurants to try, but the downside is that Santa Barbara is very expensive. You can get away with less than $10 for dinner in Isla Vista, but plan on at least $20 downtown.

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UC Santa Barbara Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Off-Campus Dining at University of California - Santa Barbara

meggymack

'15

Psychology

4.2
A-

Good Variety

There are a lot of options in IV, plus fast food places (McDonald's, Jack in the Box, Subway) within walking distance off-campus. There is also a Chili's next to McDonald's, and a few other independent or local chain restaurants.

Feb 10, 2012

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Off-Campus Dining at University of California - Santa Barbara

marissssa

'15

Sociology

4.2
A-

Off Campus Dining: Isla Vista

Isla Vista is just a short walk from campus and has many eating places to choose from. Although the variety of food is limited (there's more than 3 sandwich places!), Isla Vista has different places to try. From Freebirds! known for their monster burritos, to Silvergreen's for a healithier fix, Isla Vista is a good place to eat off campus because of the location and relatively inexpensive choices.

Jan 20, 2012

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Off-Campus Dining at University of California - Santa Barbara

sarahmwilliams

'15

Sociology

4.6
A

Good

Lots of options, sometimes prices are a little expensive, though

Jan 16, 2012

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Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the off-campus restaurants on the following topics

How would you rate the diversity of off-campus dining options?

Facts

Did You Know?

The Web sites www.nippers.com, www.diningsantabarbara.com, and www.santabarbara have many good Santa Barbara restaurant reviews. Despite Santa Barbara’s population, there are hundreds of restaurants to try.

A version of Shepherd’s Salad was invented in Santa Barbara. In fact, you can meet Mr. Shepherd at his farmer’s market stand on Saturday mornings.

Anything called “local’s favorite” or “Santa Barbara style” will include avocado and sprouts.

Every year, Goleta has a lemon festival, Carpinteria has an avocado festival, and Oxnard has a strawberry festival.

The owner of Freebirds is cousins with Kinko’s founder Paul Orfalea.
 

Grocery StoresWhat's This?

Albertsons
7127 Hollister Ave., Goleta
(805) 968-3558

Isla Vista Market
939 Embarcadero del Mar
(805) 968-3597

Trader Joe's
5767 Calle Real, Goleta
(805) 692-2234

Vons
175 N. Fairview Ave., Goleta
(805) 683-8764

Restaurant ListingsWhat's This?

Bagel Café
Food: Bagels and coffee
6551 Trigo Rd.
(805) 685-7114
Price: $1-$5
Cool Features: Good bagel melts and sandwiches

Brophy Brothers
Food: Seafood
119 Harbor Way
(805) 966-4418
Price: $10-$20
Cool Features: Great view overlooking the water.

Cajun Kitchen
Food: Breakfast and Creole
6831 Hollister Ave.
(805) 683-8864
Price: $8-$15
Cool Features: Louisiana-style cuisine

Cajun Kitchen Café
Food: Breakfast and Cajun
1924 De La Vina
(805) 687-2062
www.cajunkitchensb.com
Price: $5-$10
Cool Features: Coupons offered online

The Cantina
Food: Mexican
966 Embarcadero del Mar
(805) 968-2862
Price: $5-$10
Cool Features: Best breakfast burritos

China Pavilion - Montecito
Food: Chinese
1070 Coast Village Rd.
(805) 565-9380
Price: $10-$20
Cool Features: Trendy atmosphere

Deja Vu
Food: American
966 Embarcadero del Mar
(805) 968-8888
Price: $2-$8
Cool Features: Delivery service

Freebirds World Burrito
Food: Mexican
879 Embarcadero del Norte
(805) 968-0123
www.freebirds.com
Price: $5-$8
Cool Features: Huge burritos, all-you-can-eat contests

Giovanni's
Food: Pizza, pasta, sandwiches
6583 Pardall Rd.
(805) 968-2254
Price: $5-$10
Cool Features: common meeting place

The Habit
Food: Hamburgers
5735 Hollister Ave.
(805) 964-0366
Price: $3-$7
Cool Features: 100% lean meat, bread baked fresh daily, milkshakes use real ice cream, fries made with 100% vegetable oil

Javan's
Food: Sandwiches, grill
938 Embarcadero del Norte
(805) 968-2180
Price: $2-$5
Cool Features: $2 hamburgers

The Natural Café
Food: Sandwiches, salads, soups
5892 Hollister Ave.
(805) 692-2363
Price: $5-$10
Cool Features: Healthy

The Palace Grill
Food: Cajun and Creole
8 E. Cota St
(805) 963-5000
Price: $10-$20
Cool Features: Great food without pretense; tamborine-playing dancers perform while guests wait to be seated.

Sam's To Go
Food: Subs
6560 Pardall Rd.
(805) 685-8895
Price: $3-$8
Cool Features: Outdoor patio great for people-watching

Silvergreens
Food: Salad, soup, sandwiches
900 Embarcadero del Mar
(805) 961-1700
Price: $5-$10
Cool Features: You can order smaller portions of combined menu items (half & half and threesome orders).

Sushi Teri
Food: Japanese Grill and sushi
909 Embarcadero del Mar
(805) 685-4822
Price: $5-$15
Cool Features: Take-out

Woodstock's
Food: Pizza
928 Embarcadero del Norte
(805) 968-6969
Price: $5-$15
Cool Features: Cinnabread

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Hometown: Danville, CA

Major: Sociology/Sports Management minor

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