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Yona Estrada grew up on Santa Barbara’s Westside, on Rancheria Street, at the foot of Santa Barbara City College.
He often walked with his friends to downtown State Street. Owning a business was not a thought in Estrada’s brain at the time.
Today, though, he and his queso tacos are taking State Street by storm. YonaRedz is the talk of the town.
“My tacos bring people together,” Estrada told Noozhawk. “It makes new friendships. Especially during these times, when everyone is cooped up inside, it can bring people together just to come outside, have a little fresh air and get some food.”
Estrada, 30, previously worked as an auto mechanic. A few months ago, he started cooking in a friend’s backyard. People heard about his mouth-watering queso tacos, using family recipes that were passed down to him. His backyard taco business blew up, so he set up a pop-up taco shop at the former Casablanca restarant on State Street.
He used the kitchen, and the lines followed. As he puts it, “people were coming from all over the place.”
“It took off,” he said. “It would sell out.”
He used to drive to Los Angeles to get queso tacos — beef, cheese, cilantro and onions on a red corn, gluten-free tortilla. The tacos come with a dipping sauce, a consume, with lime. He also makes birria, traditionally made from goat.
Estrada recently met Ray Mahboob, a downtown property owner, who leased him a place at 532 State St., the site of a former winery. Estrada held his grand opening on Sunday, and he hasn’t stopped serving tacos since.
Councilwoman Alejandra Gutierrez was among those who attended his opening ceremony.
“I was excited to hear a local, young Latino owner opening his business on State Street,” Gutierrez said. “For those who grew up in Santa Barbara, that’s a huge deal. On top of that, he is selling food that speaks to our souls for many Latinos in Santa Barbara. The pandemic has not stopped people from continuing to fight for their dreams.”
Estrada said he hopes it’s just the beginning. If the State Street location is successful, he wants to expand to Old Town Goleta, Isla Vista and farther north.
“I am the first generation in my family to get anything like a restaurant,” Estrada said. “To me, it’s still surreal. I can’t believe I have something on State Street. I was born and raised here. It’s a dream. It’s amazing.”
New General Manager at Belmond El Encanto
The Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara has hired Janis Clapoff as its new general manager.
“I am excited to help our team lead this incredible landmark hotel to continued success,” Clapoff said in a news release. “So many one-of-a-kind experiences are brought to life at Belmond El Encanto, and I look forward to sharing them with our guests and Santa Barbara community.”
The Belmond has 92 cottages and suites, a spa, a “zero-edge” pool and fitness facilities.
She held leadership positions at the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, San Ysidro Ranch, the Simpson House Inn and the Ojai Valley Inn.
At Belmond El Encanto, according to a news release, Clapoff will work with various hotel teams to continue to explore innovative ways to engage guests during a historic time in the travel industry.
Clapoff holds a master’s degree in organizational management from Antioch University in Santa Barbara and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from York University in Toronto.
Summerland Farmers Market
Residents of Summerland will hold an artisan and farmers market on Sunday.
Megan Husbands started the event last year. It takes place on the fourth Sunday of the month.
Her sister, Hattie Husbands, said that with COVID-19 cases soaring, this Sunday could mark the final market of the year.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Summerland Post Office parking lot and will feature artisans, produce and “treasures.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
