On the Menu

Bowltober: Dank Bowl Kitchen offers discount to celebrate 10th Anniversary

In a clever celebratory and promotional scheme, Dank Bowl Kitchen released a $10 deal for all bowls in the month of October, also known as Bowltober, to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. 
read more

Food bank finds: black bean salsa

No matter what you choose to include, this tangy and hearty recipe makes for a great snack or meal. 
read more

Brewing 101: A beginner’s guide to the perfect cup of coffee

Your coffee should be something that doesn’t stress you out. Here, we answer everything you need to know about the basics of coffee.
read more

Spice Up Your Life with these Red Chili Fries!

My favorite comfort dish, weaponized by my mother to win my affection every chance she gets, are red chili fries.
read more

Buena Onda brings a piece of Argentina to Santa Barbara with community events and hand crafted empanadas

The family-owned business specializes in empanada varieties that stay true to the flavors of Argentina while also acknowledging the California palate.
read more

Goleta Lemon Festival celebrates its 30th year of lemony eats and activities for all

After a day of eating lemony treats, here is what the On the Menu staff deemed worth the try.
read more

Third annual Burrito Week offers $8 burritos from 21 Santa Barbara County establishments

The Santa Barbara Independent has invited 21 establishments in Santa Barbara in the past two years to participate in their annual Burrito Week, offering special burritos and familiar favorites at a di...
read more

Take advantage of California fig season with this fall salad

Salads have a reputation for being boring and unsatisfying, but this variation, packed with a variety of fresh and cooked ingredients, challenges that assumption.
read more

Welcome fall with apple cinnamon rolls

Not only do these rolls taste amazing, but your whole house will smell like a Bath & Body Works apple spice candle.
read more

New restaurants, notable closures and food news in and around I.V.

During the summer months, the food scene in Santa Barbara County has witnessed drastic changes — the loss of longtime Isla Vista eatery Pho Bistro, the opening of Isla Vista’s first mini food hall...
read more

A third-year’s guide to the best IV restaurants

As a proud resident of Isla Vista for the last two years, I’m happy to say that I have consumed meals from a substantial number of restaurants in the area. What’s a student to do when confined to ...
read more

Ranking UCSB’s most vegetarian-friendly dining halls

Pihu Jain reflects on her freshman dining hall experiences in an effort to determine which UCSB dining hall is the best for vegetarians.
read more

Aperol spritzes fit for a summertime soirée

This mild, sparkling cocktail with slightly bitter and floral flavor notes is the drink of the summer.
read more

obon-festival

Post-pandemic Obon festivals bring Japanese culture, food and celebration to communities

For over 500 years, Japanese culture has celebrated the annual Buddhist holiday of Obon (お盆). During the traditionally three-day event, participants honor their ancestors, whose spirits are believ...
read more

obon-festival

Celebrate Bastille Day with crêpes!

Anya shares an authentic crêpe recipe from her time living in the French town known as the birthplace of crêpes.
read more