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ave you ever found yourself craving that perfect late-night snack after an evening at the movies, or a delicious pick-me-up after a long day of shopping or a hard day at work? Stop by a local favorite and weekend hotspot, Joe’s Café, conveniently located downtown on the corner of Cota and State Street, for a true Santa Barbaran experience. Check out the salty, spicy, and oh-so satisfying Steak Bites! Newly renovated in 2007, and open all day, seven days a week from 7:30am to 11pm, Joe’s offers a welcoming atmosphere of an old-fashioned diner with checkered tablecloths, pictures of family and friends on the walls, and friendly staff. Settle into a cozy booth, family-sized table or grab a seat at the bar, and order up a plate (or two) of Joe’s classic American cuisine. The perfect blend of tender beef, seasonings, spice and salt, the Steak Bites appetizer is enough to feed any hungry movie-goer, shopper or passer-by, but my friends and I couldn’t help but ask for more when we had finished the first round. A start to a great meal, the Steak Bites’ salty-spicy tang piques your palate for more of Joe’s delicious menu and makes you thirst for any of Joe’s fantastic cocktails (head’s up, they’re stiff!). So come over to Joe’s Café, be it for a quick afternoon bite or a fun night out, the generous portions and expertly mixed drinks make for a truly awesome experience. —Tori Tsu

Joe’s Café, 536 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, (805) 966-4638