Our Story

In the Beginning

The original location of Joe's Cafe was 512 State Street, just down the street from its current site. Before becoming Joe's Cafe, the lot hosted many diverse businesses over the years, including: Sing Lee's Chinese Laundry, "Lord" Harry Harcroft's blacksmith shop, Boston Restaurant, K. Konda Restaurant, De Hart's Second Hand Store and Domenico Pignocco's Soft Drink Stand & Pool Hall, which later became the Channel Bar.

Joe's Cafe is Born

Joe Ferrario, an Italian immigrant, and his wife Adelina bought the Channel Bar in 1928 — and Joe's Cafe was born. The advent of the Great Depression the next year did little to squelch Joe's enthusiasm for owning his dream restaurant. His hard work and magnanimous personality quickly established Joe's as a favorite.

The repeal of the 18th Amendment in 1933 ended 14 years of Prohibition. Seizing the moment, Joe became a distributor of Acme Beer, brought from San Francisco by boat and unloaded at Stearn's Wharf under tight security. The good times — and draft beer — were here again.

Joe's Cafe flourished during World War II with the opening of two sub-assembly defense plants in Santa Barbara. The transplanted servicemen and workers enjoyed the friendly environment of the restaurant and the potent beverages at the bar.

Every Joe, Joe & Harry

Joe retired from the restaurant business in 1948 and sold to another Joe, Joe Govean, who further cemented the reputation of Joe's Cafe as a great family restaurant and meeting place.

When the second Joe retired, the business passed to Harry Davis who made his mark in two major ways. Harry decided that it was difficult to see Joe's Cafe from the street, so he designed a new, bolder marquee resplendent with more than 100 light bulbs — after a memorable tussle with Santa Barbara City Council. The sign is still used today.

Harry also hired Mildred Kelly, the first waitress/hostess at Joe's Café. She joined an all-male staff who threatened to leave because they thought a woman couldn't do a good job. Mildred proved them wrong in short order.

Nancy Peery's Influence

Harry passed the torch in 1969 to Carpinteria native Nancy Peery whose deep understanding of the restaurant's iconic status served as her guiding light and helped keep Joe's, Joe's. Nancy's community involvement put Joe's Cafe at the forefront of many events.

Joe's Cafe moved to its present location — 536 State Street — in 1985. For the next 18 years, patrons continued to enjoy the place, eating great food, drinking stiff cocktails, and soaking in the local color.

Joe's Today

The present owner, Gene Montesano, purchased Joe's Cafe in 2003. Gene's entrepreneurial spirit has played a central role in many companies, such as Lucky Brand Jeans, Lucky's Steakhouse, Tre Lune Restaurant, D'Angelo's Bakery, Civilianaire, and more.

Under Gene's stewardship, the legacy of Joe's Cafe continues into its ninth decade: a vibrant downtown destination with the stiffest cocktails around, great meals, a fun atmosphere, and a diverse crowd.