SANTA BARBARA has been a favorite weekend getaway for Angelenos for decades, and the addition of a traditional British chippie has given local Brits yet another reason to head up the coast for a day or two.
Grant and Kate MacNaughton opened Mac’s on State Street a couple of years back because Grant thought Santa Barbara needed “proper fish & chips.” So he cooks up large crusty pieces of Alaskan cod with thin and crispy batter instead of what he characterizes as “the Americanized version” with thin strips of fish and heavy batter.
Mac’s fare has won fans among locals and visitors alike. Grant, originally from Blackpool, is a classically trained French chef who most recently worked at the acclaimed Bouchon before opening Mac’s, which he describes as ‘the fulfillment of a childhood dream’.
As for Kate, she is originally an Essex girl who left a job in investment banking to find something more rewarding…looks like she found it.
Recently Mac’s came to the attention of Guy Fieri, the hyper-active host of the popular Food Network TV show, Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, who visited there recently with his crew to film an episode, which airs this Monday, January 23rd at 7pm.
Mac’s is located at 503 State Street in Santa Barbara. Tel: (805) 897-1160 or visit them on the web at www. macssb.com
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