Deja Vu Cafe to rebuild after fire
August 20, 2026 at 2:58 pm
Deja Vu Cafe plans to rebuild after a fire burnt the interior of the nearly 40-year-old restaurant in Isla Vista, according to owner and founder John Djamali.
On the morning of Aug. 18, a fire broke out in the cafe after an “electrical issue” sparked a fire which ignited a wall, Djamali said in an interview with the Daily Nexus. While the cost of repairs and a reopening timeline is not yet known, he said that the damage was mainly from smoke and not “major.”
“We are trying our best to see if we can put it back together and rebuild everything as quick as possible,” Djamali said.
His insurance’s inspector will visit the cafe on Aug. 23 and he plans to schedule a county inspection next week.
Djamali opened the cafe in 1989 and said he has witnessed generations of students and community members come through over the years. He currently runs the cafe with his wife Farrah and said “it is part of the history of Isla Vista and UCSB.”
“When we reopen our doors, we ask you, from the bottom of our hearts, to stand with us once again. Please come back and support us — not just to help a local business, but to preserve a place that has been part of the Isla Vista and UCSB community for nearly four decades,” Djamali said in a statement to the Nexus.
The Daily Nexus will continue to report on this subject as more information becomes available.
It’s encouraging to hear that Deja Vu Cafe plans to rebuild after such an unfortunate incident. For many local communities, a cafe is more than just a place to grab food or coffee — it becomes a familiar meeting point filled with memories, conversations, and connections.
Recovering after a fire takes patience, teamwork, and support from loyal customers and neighbors. Hopefully, the rebuilding process goes smoothly and the cafe can welcome everyone back soon. In the meantime, people continue to discover new ways to connect and enjoy experiences, both locally and online, including platforms like joo casino.
Following local news on the Daily Nexus about Deja Vu Café’s plans to rebuild after the devastating fire is so encouraging for the Isla Vista community! Local spots like Deja Vu hold so many memories for students and residents, and seeing business owners stay resilient and commit to reopening is truly inspiring. While taking a break from reading community updates today, I was also checking out online gaming options like roulettino casino to unwind. Thanks for sharing this positive update!
It’s always sad to hear about a fire damaging a place that has been part of the community for decades. Hopefully the inspections go smoothly and the owners can begin rebuilding without too many unexpected delays. A familiar local café often means much more than just food—it becomes part of people’s memories and daily routines. Wishing Deja Vu Cafe a strong comeback. I’ve also been browsing different online spaces lately, including https://topx.ar/.
It’s genuinely good news that Deja Vu Cafe plans to come back. A place that has been part of Isla Vista for nearly four decades clearly means more to people than just another spot to grab food. Hopefully the inspections go smoothly and the smoke damage proves manageable, so the familiar late-night atmosphere can return before too long. In the meantime, even a casual stop at lucky31 casino can help pass the time while everyone waits for the reopening.