Santa Barbara: La Super Rica [Pics]

My brother and I took a day trip to Santa Barbara, last week. This meant a chance to return to two places of great significance to me: Ojai Valley School and La Super Rica.*

Yes, LSR is legendary.** Yes, the opinions on LSR are very strong--both in favour and against.*** Being a SoCal native, I will just say that LSR offers the type of Mexican food that I grew up on. Literally. From the moment that I was born, our Mexican next-door-neighbours "adopted" me and my family, and I probably ate more of their home cooking than anything else for the first few years of my life. This type of Mexican food is my soul food.


la super rica


the daily specials board


queso de cazuela****


tamal de verduras


taco de adobado*****


sopes de pollo

Not pictured: a gordita de frijol and a quesadilla--my brother got to them too quickly.

As you can see from the above photos, I paid close attention to the Specials Board. I think that it is a good strategy, and on this visit we were richly rewarded. The tamal and the sopes were both excellent choices. The sopes were made to order and they had a great greaseless crunch.

We lucked upon the Santa Barbara Farmer's Market while we were in town:


santa barbara farmer's market

The sight of this sign brought tears to my eyes:


my old school

Regards,
Erik M.

La Super Rica
622 N. Milpas St.
Santa Barbara, CA
805.963.4940

* When I was young, I attended the Ojai Valley School in Ojai, CA. It was during this time that I paid my first visits to La Super Rica.

** Google it.

*** Again, Google it.

**** The queso de cazuela is a fondue of sorts, and it is one of LSR's signature items. It contains chopped tomato and seasonings. The corn tortillas that accompany this dish--all of the tortillas at LSR, in fact--are made to order.

***** This taco contains marinated pork "steak."

That's a fair description of Super Rica. I feel as if it is an important place and a very pleasant place. The food is quite good, too. Without your background I might be ambivalent whether it is destination dining. The question is moot, however, since Santa Barbara is a destination itself, and TSR is the place to eat.

HI,

This elegant Mexican food served on plastic and foam plates almost seems out of place. Were you eating outdoors as well? This is really quite a find.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:This elegant Mexican food served on plastic and foam plates almost seems out of place. Were you eating outdoors as well? This is really quite a find.

Cathy, there is not any outdoor seating per se. The above pictures were taken on the all-season covered patio, which can be opened up to the elements along two sides.

While I paid my first visits in the early 80's, when LSR was relatively unknown, I am not sure how much of a "find" LSR is these days. Folks like Julia Child began talking about it years ago.

And, as for the food's "elegance," I can only say that I am moved by your powers of perception. The food at LSR is truly elegant in its simplicity.

Regards,
Erik M.

when i lived in l a in the late 80s-early 90's la super rica was standard by which all others were judged. plus a nice ride. the only thing that came close was a roach coach taco truck parked on rose ave in venice were i lived. the pulpo tosadas and oyster cocktails were in the same league. i visited both a few months ago and still feel the same.

My husband and I stumbled upon LSR on a trip to California years ago. Both of us loved the place and still think it was some of the best Mexican food we ever had. Over the years he has suggested a trip back just for the pleasure of eating there again. I'm glad it's still open and still serving fabulous food.