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When Bobby Georges’ wife, Courtney, was pregnant, she craved waffles. So, like any good husband, Georges jumped into action.
He went in search of the perfect waffle for his wife, who was experiencing gestational diabetes.
“We kept trying waffles that had less and less sugar, anything that would make it less of a hit to her blood sugar,” Georges said. “I made it my mission to create the best one she had ever eaten.”
Now, Bobby and Courtney Georges have a 2-year-old daughter, Penelope, and a growing business, Goodland Waffles & Melts.
The family opened their restaurant last week at the Mosaic Locale, 1311 State St. in downtown Santa Barbara. The Mosaic is a shared workspace that also includes Draughtsmen Aleworks and Old Town Coffee.
The waffle was inspired by Georges’ mother. She used a yeasted batter that “made the crispiest, most tender waffles ever,” he said.
He made waffles for his wife every Sunday, and she didn’t have to worry about them presenting a danger to her blood sugar. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he had the time to perfect his waffle recipe and add more.
Georges first launched pop-ups at Old Town Coffee and the Draughtsmen in Goleta. Those connections led him to the Mosaic Locale.
He is all-in. He quit a marketing job at EvansHardy + Young to start the business. So far, it appears worth it.
His waffle recipes include The Goodland Classic, with a vanilla waffle, strawberries, maple syrup, powdered sugar and whipped cream. He also offers the Dirty Chai, a vanilla waffle, chai-spiced mousse, espresso maple syrup and toasted coconut granola.
Some of his waffles also contain meat. The Schmear This! features an everything-seasoned waffle, cured salmon, lemon caper schmear, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, oil and vinegar.
The most interesting, however, might be the In Prosciutto Happiness, a parmesan black pepper waffle, marinated tomatoes, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, arugula, fried onions and balsamic glaze.
The waffles range from $10 to $14. The restaurant also sells a variety of melts, ranging from $10 to $13.
Georges has a background in fine dining. He ran a cafe in Folsom, then he worked at Intermezzo by Wine Cask before going back to school to study advertising.
He is the only one shopping, prepping and cooking for now. The restaurant is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Business so far has been strong, and people are discovering his healthy waffles.
“It’s great,” he said. “A lot of tourists come through. It’s fun meeting new people.”
The best part of opening the restaurant? Watching daughter Penelope enjoy the treat he made while she was in the womb.
“She loves the waffles,” Georges said.
Cantwell’s Is Open
A Noozhawk story in March revealed plans for a 27-unit housing project at the site of Cantwell’s Market & Deli — at 1533 State St. in Santa Barbara.
Although the story was accurate, the family that owns Cantwell’s asked Noozhawk to share that Cantwell’s is still open and any development at the site is years away. Apparently, business has slumped and the ownership wants everyone to know that Cantwell’s is still open for business.
“We are still in the concept phase,” Pranav Shastri, one of the owners, said.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
The Yes Store in Santa Barbara has gone year-round.
The store for decades was a holiday pop-up, but now is open throughout the year.
The building has about 29 artists with room for 40 total.
The business is owned by three women shareholders and is no longer a cooperative store.
“After 55 years of opening a temporary store in various locations along State Street each November and December, we have finally found a location we like so much that we are now open year-round,” the company said on its website.
The store is located in La Arcada Plaza, 1100 State St.
Radius Closes Hotel Deal
The Castillo Inn at the Beach sold for $9.25 million.
The sale of the 21-key boutique hotel, at 22 Castillo St. in Santa Barbara, was handled by Radius Commercial Real Estate.
Gene Deering of Radius represented the deal.