Going Dutch
Written by Caitlin White | Photography by Blake Bronstad
German fare is never better than when it is large, salty, and hot. Think soft pretzels as big as your head, massive servings of pork schnitzel, and, of course, bratwursts with sauerkraut, potato salad, and two kinds of mustard. DUTCH GARDEN, which is currently only open for lunch Wednesday through Sunday, offers German comfort food, with packed rooms, jovial servers, and gigantic portions—plus a delightful sprawling garden dining room. Although this historic restaurant is one of the oldest in Santa Barbara (it originally opened as the Poppy Cafe back in 1925), the current iteration began in 1984, when Ken and Laurie Luetjen took over and ran it as a hole-in-the-wall until it closed in 2020. New owners Matt English and Charlie and Jen Fredericks have revitalized it once more, honoring the past and lovingly updating it for the future. While there’s space indoors, too, camping out in the sunshine with a crisp cucumber salad, pastrami on rye, and a pint of cold beer is the perfect antidote for a midday slump. 4203 State St., Santa Barbara, 805-453-4556, @dutchgardenSB
