Kelsey Ferrara / Daily Nexus

Kelsey Ferrara / Daily Nexus

As we get further into the quarter, the food supplies that we were all blessed with slowly run out. Students ravage the typical I.V. eateries to feast on pizza, burgers, tacos and other staples of the Isla Vista diet, but many find themselves in a food slump. If you find yourself craving a new restaurant, you should try Padaro Beach Grill.

You’ll find Padaro after a beautiful drive down the 101 freeway, following an off-ramp that is cheerfully named Santa Claus Lane. While it’s not as close as Freebirds or The Habit, this little burger shop has so much more to offer the traditional I.V. food.

Surrounded by beachside mansions and surf shops, Padaro sits in the middle of a small strip mall. The pastel blue building is outline by a white picket fence that surrounds the neighboring garden of tropical flowers and palm trees.

After ordering food, customers have the option of enjoying their meals in the garden while hummingbirds zoom overhead. Between the palm trees are round wooden tables that are adorned with yellow and blue umbrellas. Customers can cross a wooden bridge that hangs above a small water feature or grab seats next to the sand pit where children often play after finishing their lunch. Padaro is so close to the ocean that the sound of waves crashing can be heard over the sounds of satisfied customers and laughing children.

Kesley Ferrara / Daily Nexus

Kesley Ferrara / Daily Nexus

This SoCal paradise is located just outside beach town of Carpinteria, and few people seem to know about this beautiful restaurant. I’ve been visiting Carpinteria for years and have only recently discovered this adorable burger shop. It amazes me that Padaro is not more well-known, not only is their scenery uniquely charming but I’ve never been disappointed by their food.

Padaro Bar & Grill is the epitome of beach food, and I’ve heard people describe it as a charming version of In-N-Out Burger. Their menu is made up of summer classics like burgers, sweet potato fries, beer, tacos, calamari and locally selected Santa Barbara wines. A personal favorite of mine is the Prime Burger with a root beer float. As one of their simpler meals, the Prime Burger consists of lean beef that is complimented by caramelized onions, melted cheese and the sweetness of their specially prepared house sauce. Every bite is a juicy paradise that I never want to escape.

This burger shop offers the greasy foods that every college student craves and a relaxing place to get away from the stress of classes. So the next time you’re feeling in a rut, grab some friends and enjoy the drive down our beautiful Santa Barbara coast to Padaro Beach Grill.

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