3 days ago
One of Santa Barbara's Most Celebrated Restaurants Opens a Dazzling Ventura Location
Over the last month, Santa Barbara staple (and Michelin Bib Gourmand) Corazón Cocina expanded into neighboring Carpinteria and Ventura. In late June, chef and owner Ramón Velázquez opened Corazón Cocina Sur at Carpinteria's new food hall, Linden Square. In the same week, he debuted Corazón Cocina's third location along a popular strip in Downtown Ventura, where he serves some fresh additions to Cocina's classic Mexican menu, plus something new for his mini-chain: a full bar.
Velázquez's food is well-known to the Santa Barbara community. The Guadalajara-born chef immigrated to the U.S. in 1990 and worked at restaurants including Arigato and now-closed Cielito throughout the years. In 2014, Velázquez launched a popular weekly pop-up at Three Pickles Subs & Sandwiches before opening the first Corazón Cocina in 2016 in the Santa Barbara Public Market. At the Public Market location, the restaurant offered a compact menu showcasing five tacos, one quesadilla, a salad, and two ceviches. Six years later, in 2022, Velázquez opened a full-service Corazón Comedor on Victoria Street.. Velázquez also made an appearance on the Cooking Channel's Taco Trip and debuted Alma Fonda Fina in the Montecito Country Mart in mid-2024.
At Corazón Cocina, diners can find traditional Mexican fare inspired by lessons from Velázquez's mother and grandmother, including burritos; salads; and a fiery Sayulita ceviche with wild Mexican shrimp, mango, tomatoes, ahi amarillo, avocado, and habanero aioli. Multiple tostadas and tacos are available, featuring proteins like birria with a peanut salsa macha, and chicken mole, along with quesadillas prepared with tortillas made on-site.
The Carpinteria location operates as a fast-casual spot with a similar menu to the original location, while Ventura's is a full-service experience. At Ventura's full bar, Velázquez used small-batch mezcal for traditional margaritas or a flight to sip. All beers are Mexican, with wines hailing from Baja Mexico's Valle de Guadalupe. Corazón Cocina Ventura will also introduce a ribeye chicharron with mozzarella, chorizo, pasilla, and flour tortillas, as well as a tuna tartare with avocado, burnt habanero, and a crema serrano ponzu.
Velázquez says that timing was key for the Ventura and Carpinteria locations. According to Velázquez, the building's landlord came to him with the opportunity, bringing his total number of restaurants up to five. 'My goal has never been to open a chain of restaurants and make money,' says Velázquez. 'Our main objective and goal is to produce great food at a good price. We are driven by farmers' markets, local fish, and great corn from Mexico.'
Corazón Cocina Ventura is open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at 278 E. Main Street, Ventura, CA, 93001. Corazón Cocina Carpinteria is open at 772 Linden Avenue, Carpinteria, CA, 93013 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Tuna tostada with house-prepared tortillas. Corazón Cocina
Tuna tartare. Corazón Cocina
Asada taco.
Corazón Cocina's cilantro passionfruit Margarita.
Dining area. Corazón Cocina
Entry to Corazón Cocina Ventura. Corazón Cocina
Sky view from dining room.
Entry to Corazón Cocina Ventura. Corazón Cocina
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