Paradise Cafe celebrates 30th anniversary with meal deals

It’s been 30 years in Paradise for one Santa Barbara restaurant. The doors first opened in 1983 at the Paradise Cafe on Anacapa Street and this week the owners and customers are celebrating.

Prices have been rolled back on many popular items including the famous Paradise Burger, cobb salad, margaritas and wine.

One employee Tony Nolasco is also in the spotlight. He has worked at the restaurant since day one, and today has been declared “Tony Tuesday.”

Owner Randy Rowse says the Paradise has done well in its location, one block off State Street. Back in 1983, however, it was across the street from an auto wrecking yard, and the surroundings were not as inviting as they are today.

The restaurant features inside and outside dining along with a retro-style bar that draws customers until after midnight.

The site was formerly the La Paloma Cafe and it has a large painting on the wall of a Spanish horseman.

“It’s got the old mural. It’s got a tradition. We have people working here whose parents met here. So its got a little bit of family feel as well,” said Rowse.