Mesa Cafe – Mexican
Sunlight streams into this vibrant neighborhood hub, where the comforting sizzle of griddled bacon and the aroma of golden, syrup-drenched French toast create an instantly welcoming atmosphere. Hearty plates of slow-roasted tri-tip and eggs give way to midday cravings for savory, mushroom-topped burgers and crisp, citrus-bright salads, all perfectly paired with a salt-rimmed margarita for a quintessential casual retreat.
1972 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara CA 93109 https://mesacafesb.com/Rating: 4/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: Mexican
Price range: $
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, soy-free
Diet fit at Mesa Cafe
Dairy-Free at Mesa Cafe
Mesa Cafe in Santa Barbara has 2 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Fruit Cup and Homemade Guacamole & Chips. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Mesa Cafe
Mesa Cafe in Santa Barbara has 1 gluten-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Fruit Cup. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Mesa Cafe
Mesa Cafe in Santa Barbara has 4 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Javier’s French Toast, Fruit Cup and Homemade Guacamole & Chips. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at Mesa Cafe
Mesa Cafe in Santa Barbara has 1 low-carb-tagged dish on its current menu, including Fruit Cup. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Mesa Cafe
Mesa Cafe in Santa Barbara has 3 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Fruit Cup, Homemade Guacamole & Chips and Mesa Cafe Chardonnay. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at Mesa Cafe
Mesa Cafe in Santa Barbara has 5 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Javier’s French Toast, Fruit Cup and Homemade Guacamole & Chips. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Heart-Healthy at Mesa Cafe
Mesa Cafe in Santa Barbara has 1 heart-healthy-tagged dish on its current menu, including Fruit Cup. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Fat at Mesa Cafe
Mesa Cafe in Santa Barbara has 1 low-fat-tagged dish on its current menu, including Fruit Cup. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Mesa Cafe
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Cobb Salad | 43.9 g | 28.2 g |
| Chicken Lime Salad | 25.3 g | 24.4 g |
| Two Eggs any Style | 15.9 g | 22.6 g |
| Slow Roasted Tri-Tip & Eggs | 173.4 g | 21.3 g |
| Pancake Sandwich | 23.3 g | 20.3 g |
| Mushroom Burger | 31.9 g | 13.5 g |
| Bacon & Eggs | 0.2 g | 9 g |
| Moscow Mule | 46.3 g | 6.4 g |
| Top Shelf Margarita | 75.9 g | 3.5 g |
| Classic Burger | 8.9 g | 0.4 g |
| Fruit Cup | 10.4 g | 0.3 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM
What diners are saying
Celebrated for its savory pizzas and intimate setting, guests love the cozy atmosphere that makes it a perfect spot for group gatherings or professional outings. Diners frequently highlight the attentive service staff who ensure a seamless experience, noting that the warm hospitality and flavorful menu items make it a destination worth visiting.
Menu
American Breakfast
- Two Eggs any Style - $12: Served with cottage fries, hash browns, or fresh fruit and choice of toast, blueberry muffin, corn bread, or biscuits. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Bacon & Eggs - $14: Served with cottage fries, hash browns, or fresh fruit and choice of toast, blueberry muffin, corn bread, or biscuits. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Slow Roasted Tri-Tip & Eggs - $18: Served with cottage fries, hash browns, or fresh fruit and choice of toast, blueberry muffin, corn bread, or biscuits. Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: breakfast, brunch
Off the Griddle
- Pancake Sandwich - $15: Two cakes, served with two pieces of bacon and two eggs Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Javier’s French Toast - $14.5: Thick slices of French toast topped with sliced bananas and toasted almonds Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: breakfast, brunch
Burgers
- Classic Burger - $13.5: 1/3 lb. Fresh ground beef, mayonnaise, lettuce, onion, tomato and pickles, served with French fries. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mushroom Burger - $14.5: Sautéed mushrooms and jack cheese, mayonnaise, lettuce, onion, tomato and pickles, served with French fries. Available at: dinner, lunch
Salads
- Cobb Salad - $16: Mixed greens with chopped bacon, chicken breast, tomato, avocado, egg and crumbled bleu cheese. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Lime Salad - $15.5: Marinated grilled chicken, tomatoes, bell peppers, red onions, cilantro and avocado tossed with champagne dressing. Dietary tags: Low-Cholesterol Available at: dinner, lunch
Beverages & Cocktails
- Top Shelf Margarita - $10: Patron silver, Cointreau, sweet & sour, and a splash of orange juice
- Moscow Mule - $8: Russian Standard Vodka, ginger beer and fresh lime juice
- Mesa Cafe Chardonnay - $8: House white wine Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Lectin-Free
Sides
- Homemade Guacamole & Chips - $7.5: Fresh avocado dip with tortilla chips Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fruit Cup - $5: Seasonal fresh fruit Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: breakfast, brunch, lunch
Frequently Asked Questions about Mesa Cafe
- Which dishes work for multiple diets at once (e.g., keto + gluten-free)?
- Cobb Salad and Chicken Lime Salad both accommodate multiple diets including keto, gluten-free, low-carb, diabetic, atkins, and zone.
- How many reviews does this restaurant have?
- The provided information for Mesa Cafe does not specify the total number of reviews received by the restaurant.
- Is this restaurant good value for money?
- This budget-friendly ($) Mexican restaurant offers good value with a 4.0/5 rating, featuring hearty portions and attentive service.
- How does this restaurant compare to others in the same cuisine type?
- This budget-friendly Mexican restaurant stands out with a 4.0/5 rating, offering an extensive range of over thirty specialized dietary options.
- Does this restaurant have a website or online ordering?
- Mesa Cafe has a website located at https://mesacafesb.com/, but the provided information does not specify if online ordering is available.
- What type of cuisine does this restaurant specialize in?
- Mesa Cafe specializes in Mexican cuisine, serving a variety of dishes including guacamole, margaritas, burgers, and hearty breakfast plates.
- Does this restaurant have good options for group dining with mixed dietary needs?
- Mesa Cafe accommodates mixed dietary needs with options for keto, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian diets, including Cobb salads and fruit cups.
- Is this restaurant currently open and operational?
- Mesa Cafe is currently operational and can be reached through their website at https://mesacafesb.com/ for more information.
- Where is this restaurant located?
- The specific address for Mesa Cafe is not provided, though the website indicates it is located in Santa Barbara.
- What is the price range at this restaurant?
- Mesa Cafe is a budget-friendly ($) Mexican restaurant offering affordable dining options for its customers.
- Is Mesa Cafe dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Mesa Cafe has 2 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Fruit Cup and Homemade Guacamole & Chips.
- What can I eat at Mesa Cafe on a dairy-free diet?
- Fruit Cup and Homemade Guacamole & Chips carry the dairy-free tag, out of 2 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Mesa Cafe have vegan options?
- Yes. 3 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Fruit Cup and Homemade Guacamole & Chips.
- Is Mesa Cafe gluten-free?
- 1 dish is tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Mesa Cafe?
- Cobb Salad, at roughly 28.2g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
Restaurants near Mesa Cafe
- Super Cucas — Mexican
- Casa Comal — Mexican
- La Paloma Cafe — Mexican
- Rudy's Mexican — Mexican
- Maíz Picante — Mexican
- La Super-Rica — Mexican
- Corazón Cocina — Mexican
- Carlitos Café y Cantina — Mexican
- Elubia's Kitchen Food Truck — Mexican
- Super Cucas — Mexican
- Cal Taco — Mexican
- Szechuan Restaurant — Chinese
