In this episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” Guy Fieri heads to Downtown Santa Barbara with his friend Marc Summers to explore a local favorite, The Blue Owl. Known for its late-night eats and vibrant atmosphere, The Blue Owl reopened with new ownership after being closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new owner, Tiffany, has kept the beloved menu and staff but added her own unique twist to the offerings.
A Local Gem with a Twist
The Blue Owl is a place where everyone can find something they love. As one customer puts it, “I can bring anyone here, and they’re going to find something that they love.” Tiffany combines her passions for hospitality, cooking, business, and music to create a welcoming environment. “This seemed like the perfect job,” she says, clearly thrilled to be running the place.
The Star Attraction: Nam Toc Burrito
Guy and Marc are particularly excited to try the Nam Toc Burrito, a dish that Tiffany has perfected. The process begins with marinating tri-tip in a mixture of oyster sauce, crushed garlic, black pepper, and garlic salt for about 15 minutes. “How much you spend a month on black pepper in this place?” Guy jokes. “Oh, you know, quite a bit,” Tiffany replies.
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Next, they move on to the Nam Toc sauce, which is a flavorful blend of fish sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, water, shallots, Thai basil, mint, lime leaves, red chili flakes, sugar, and rice powder. “That’s done,” Tiffany says as she finishes mixing the ingredients.
The Basil Mayo
The basil mayo adds another layer of flavor to the burrito. It’s made from a base of mayonnaise, garlic oil, basil, pepper, garlic salt, and fresh garlic. “We’re ready to put it together,” Tiffany announces.
Assembling the Burrito
Tiffany starts by laying down a tortilla on the flat top grill. She adds a layer of rice followed by the marinated and cooked tri-tip beef. Next comes a sprinkle of green onions, cilantro, and spring mix. The freshly made Nam Toc sauce is drizzled over the top, followed by a generous dollop of basil mayo. The burrito is then rolled up and toasted to perfection. “I love The Toasted tortilla, the fresh herbs inside of the Nam Toc also inside of this veggie mix with the baby greens,” Guy marvels.
The Taste Test
Guy and Marc are both blown away by the flavors. “The fresh Crunch and flavor of that sings in a different way than anything that’s cooked,” says Guy. “You get this tender but seasoned beef; those are kind of like the little surprises, those little nuggets. I’m eating that burrito like the first thing I had all day,” he exclaims. One patron says, “The Nam Toc Burrito is spice of life, hands down.”
The Verdict
The Nam Toc Burrito at The Blue Owl is a game-changer, combining the best of Thai flavors with a Californian twist. “Beautiful,” says Guy, savoring every bite. The dish’s balanced combination of seasoned beef, fresh herbs, and creamy basil mayo makes it a must-try for anyone visiting Santa Barbara.