Zoë Flint '24 and Alison Wang '24
BSB
(Brunch in Santa Barbara)
Are you looking for a new brunch spot to spice up your weekend mornings? We’ve got you. Here are three of our favorites that will cover all your bases.
Helena Avenue Bakery
Helena Avenue Bakery is located on Helena Avenue (duh), boasts a modern upscaled warehouse space, and captures the Funk Zone's essence of erratic quirkiness. Its menu offers a broad array of items. Helena’s pastries and breads are to die for—we highly recommend anything with brioche or sourdough. Our personal favorites include the elevated fried chicken sandwich (please get it spicy), the Summerland sourdough for a lighter and summery taste, the seasonal french toast for a sweeter option, and the innovative BLT. Coffee snobs can be satisfied here as well, though if you can’t handle your caffeine, their teas and creative beverages do not disappoint (we recommend lavender lemonade). For the sweet tooths out there, the giant cinnamon roll is your best bet. The thick brown butter frosting and warm cinnamon sugar filling will melt in your mouth. If you’re looking for a place with a comfortable ambiance to chat with your friends and satiate your California cravings, visit Helena’s.
🔝@helenaavenuebakery
Esau’s
Don't let the humble exterior fool you: Esau’s brunches are nothing to overlook. The giant portions will leave you full for the rest of the day and ensure you get your money’s worth. The classic diner atmosphere consists of upholstered booths and homey utensils. These make you feel as if you’ve stepped into the 60s (we are not old enough to know if this is true– please let us know if you’re older than that and can confirm). The original owner’s secret buttermilk pancake recipe hits different. The French toast is superb (are we sensing a pattern here?) and the gnarly scramble is a de-lish mix of sausage, bacon, cheddar, onions, mushroom, and sour cream! If you are looking for a casual and nostalgic breakfast, this is your place.
↑@esaus_cafe
Jeannine’s
With locations in Montecito, downtown Santa Barbara, and upper State, the long-beloved Jeannine’s restaurants are scattered all across the area. Jeannine’s menu includes both comfort foods and nutritious options. Start your day with an all-natural fruit smoothie (the mango one is mouthwatering), and pair that with a delightful Banana Kahlua French Toast. For eggs Benedict lovers, Jeannine’s provides a variety of choices. If you can’t decide, it’s always safe to choose the classic Benedict with bacon, soft-poached eggs, and house-made Hollandaise on an English muffin. Beyond the Benedicts, you can get lost in the wide variety of egg dishes (14 of them, to be exact). You can also never go wrong with a toast. Jeannine’s avocado toast is topped with watermelon radish, sprouts, and pumpkin seeds, offering a light and springy taste. If you are looking for a cute spot to enjoy homemade comfort foods with natural ingredients, Jeannine’s is your place.
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