We spotted a Big Yellow School Bus. Of course we automatically slowed down. Way down. When we noticed an incompatible array of surfers and hipsters lined up we went on immediate alert.
Where was the late middle-aged paunchy lady crossing guard? Where were the flashing red slow-down-you-might-crush-a-child lights? In fact where were the children we were supposed to avoid crushing?
There were intoxicating smells coming from the bus. No. Not diesel fumes fool. Meat smells. Hypnotizing grilled meat smells issuing from something that didn't resemble a catering truck.
We quickly found street parking a block up. We ran back and added ourselves to the line.
The line for what we were informed was the Burger Bus.
Let me back up. Just a little.
Last week before the rains hit, a friend had to drive up to Santa Barbara to meet with somebody. He asked if I wanted to come along for the ride. Hm. Not so sure. When he promised that what needed taking care of wouldn't take more than 90 minutes - 2 hours tops; when he said we'd have the rest of the day for eating and hanging out, I was definitely in. Great decision. It was a cool, clear midweek day, with no hint of the impending storm.
Back to the Burger Bus:
So it is a totally retro-fitted School Bus. It's not a catering truck like we're used to seeing here in LA. We chatted with people in line ahead of us. Many had already eaten at this Bus a couple times before. They were pretty happy to give recommendations.
"Dude, you've got to add a side of fried pickle chips to whatever you order. They are AWESOME." was the recommendation of the surfer type.
My friend thought it was pretty awesome to be called dude. He was still dressed for the meeting he'd just attended, and wasn't feeling entirely dudish.
"Whatever you get," said a UCSB type girl, "you have absolutely got to make sure it comes with the ollieberry jalapeno jelly." I must've given her a clueless look because she went on to explain it was both hot & sweet, and she added the ever-present word AWESOME.
In spite of their overt enthusiasm, I being ravenously hungry, was already mentally deducting stars for the long wait.
So when we were up, I ordered a patty with grilled onions, pepper jack cheese, and the ollieberry jalapeno jelly, with a side of onion rings, that were not so much rings, as slices in crispy Telegraph Ale batter. The 'rings' were just incredible. Crisp & fragrant. The burger was generous & juicy. The ciabatta was a cut above a regular bun. It's baked locally. I was really glad the standing in line girl insisted I get the jalapeno jelly. It had just the right kick, and made the burger more unique.
My friend got 2 main orders. It was too much for him to finish.
He got the Falafel, which I've got to warn you is untraditional. It also came on ciabatta, not pita, and the sauce wasn't tahini or humus. It was something else entirely. He pronounced it very good despite it not being nearly what he expected. The falafel balls were crisp outside & just right inside.
He also got a burger. His patty came with cheddar, grilled onions, & some other stuff, but he passed on the jalapeno thing. His eyes were bugging out happy. While I was casually dressed, he had to make sure none of it dripped on his take a meeting clothes.
He got yam fries as his side. He was ecstatic with his choice. I tasted them and liked them, but I liked my onion rings way better.
* * * * *
So here's the deets:
They seem to be pretty picky about the source of their ingredients, insisting on small and local.
* The meat is from Shalhoob Meat Co. Insert all the Tony Shalhoob, Monk jokes here if you like. They claim it's grass fed and hormone free.
* The ciabatta rolls are from Our Daily Bread in Santa Barbara.
* The cheeses are from Spring Hill Cheese, a local artisanal cheese maker. One cheese is spiced.
* The Berry Man, a local farmer, is their supplier of tomatos, lettuce, & onions.
* The Rings & Chips are hand-cut.
Here come some sample prices. I think they're certainly competitive with LA prices or better.
Hamburger $6.75
Cheeseburger with Jalapeno Jam $7.50
Falafel $7.50
Yam Fries $2.50
Onion Rings $3.50
Fried Pickle Chips $3.50
They take only cash.
I'm deducting one star because it took maybe 25-30 minutes to get our food. I think it's truly delicious and they do make it to order.
But man, a half hour is a half hour. Especially when you're hungry, when a half hour is really 90 minutes.
Keep in mind, I'm not advocating that you drive all the way to Santa Barbara for a burger. Unless you drive a Prius that is. I'm all about local & sustainable. read more