Whitefoot is probably the last remaining mom and pop butchery in Santa Barbara. So I am very conflicted to hear that a Fresh and Easy grocery store chain is moving into Whitefoot’s space, along with a row of other mom and pop businesses in that block.
Ironically, F&E is supposed to be a neighborhood market that supports community.
Whitefoot is still open for business at this time, but may close any day.
I went there yesterday on an errand to get a tri-tip, some tri-tip sandwiches for friends who couldn’t get there themselves and those sandwiches are their very very favorite, and to buy up a big bag of their smoked ham hocks.
The shopkeepers honestly did not know whether they had to close or stay open, but they are staying open as long as they can. They are also looking to relocate, should they have to vacate the property.
Either way, if you have butchery needs and want to show you appreciate a very local business, go there and show your support.
The tri-tip sandwich is indeed lovely, this photo is of just half the sandwich. In you’re eating in, get the salsa on it, if you’re taking it away, get the salsa on the side so the roll doesn’t get soggy. The salsa is critical to a good tri-tip sandwich. This big gut buster full size sandwich costs about $9 and can feed two.
The *best* ham hocks are available here. They are sold whole, and the butcher can cut them up into several chunks for you. Wonderful for bean soups and stews. Where else locally can you get this?
My tri-tip I bought plain, and they seasoned it for me. Chain store seasoned tri-tip I normally have to wash most of the sauce off before I’ll set it on the grill. Here it’s hand seasoned by people who know how to bring the best out of their cuts of meat.
Whitefoot
336 N Milpas St Ste E
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
I’m quiet. Quietly eating, that is.
Life’s been busy and there’s hardly been enough time to pull photos off my camera, much less process and post them. But here’s a little snippet: I recently was lucky enough to attend the Taste of the Town annual fundraiser for the Arthritis Foundation. Approximately 60 local restaurants, caterers and wineries were there, providing tastes of their wares.
My stomach real estate is precious, and does not metabolize alcohol very well, so as much as I wished I could try everything, I did have to limit my wine sampling, but I did manage to try 80-90% of the food samples.
Top choices include Square One’s rabbit pate, Element’s caprese on flatbread, Ca’ Dario’s ravioli with brown butter sage sauce, and Pierre Lafond’s winegrapes (probably part of the display, but they let me taste them).
And who can resist Renaud’s chocolate macaroons? Always been a favorite of mine since his business opened in Santa Barbara.
The photoset is here on flickr. I hope it makes you hungry for more local food.
Here’s the scoop, peoples: this little shop in Montecito serves up gelato and gourmet sorbet. For this kind of frozen treat, it is my top pick in the Santa Barbara and greater SB area.
This is locally owned, locally run and locally sourced. Flavors vary with seasons, with fruit coming straight from the farmers markets. The first time I came here I had fresh Pluot sorbet. PLUOTS!
It’s good, it’s honest, your gelato or sorbet comes in pretty cups. On a sunny day with some friends and their kids after a day at the beach or playing croquet, this is the life.
A pity it’s not in the best location. You’d think a Coast Village Road address would be some pretty passage way filled with flower boxes and strolled by the leisure class. Instead, it’s in this sunken strip mall area that feels a little damp outside. So just focus on the incredible local yumminess of your sorbet and you will be in the happy place.
The owners are very responsive to feedback. My question to them - when can I buy their stuff outside of Montecito?
Here’s the Scoop
1187 Coast Village Rd
Montecito, CA 93108
