The former Romanti-Ezer building at Chapala and Ortega has long been rumored to be a burger joint, and lo and behold, Edible Santa Barbara spotted a help-wanted ad for The Win-Dow, “opening soon” in the space. The original outpost opened in 2019 as a takeout window at American Beauty steakhouse in Venice Beach; there are now four more locations in greater L.A. The menu is limited: smash burgers (including a vegetarian version with an Impossible Foods patty), a fried chicken sandwich, a grain bowl, a kale salad, fries, and ice cream. The place will undoubtedly be a hit, although it’s also just as surely going to make parking in that part of town even harder. (P.S. I went with the most common styling of the name, which also shows up as The Window and The WinDow.)
················
Sign up for the Siteline email newsletter for the freshest food news in town.
As a fan of both mid century modern architecture and smash burgers, I’m thrilled by this news.
Looks like a tasty burger at a great price. They’ll do great in that spot!
Hurry up & finish the construction!
Noticed La Paloma has hired a new chef and is pushing aside the Rancho cooking style for local(??)- my question is where has Chef Jeremy Tummel gone? Well deserved fishing trip?
Where did you see this?
In a post, so went to La Paloma web page and there it is✔️. This news + Dutch Garden being sold- waaaa
The Dutch Garden will continue with Chef Matt who has been there all along. It is NOT closing.
I’ve seen nothing saying it was closing, just that is was sold
Here you go:
https://www.santabarbara.com/dining/news/2025/03/04/la-paloma-cafe-announces-john-parker-as-executive-chef/
Could park in the Macy lot across the street
Nice! Was hoping this building would be something cool. There is one in the Grove in LA
Parking should not be a problem with a 3 story parking structure (practically empty) directly across the street
Win-Dow? That’s unfortunate, given Third Window is currently the most popular smash burger in town…
how is that unfortunate? This is great news, seeing a new competitor in a more convenient location undercut prices. A big win for the customer! People downtown have very few affordable lunch options apart from the Habit (which now costs over $15 for a basic meal).
Unfortunate? That’s weird to say. So you only want one burger place in town? lol ok…no thanks to that. While I was a HUGE fan of Romanti’s and am sad it’s closed (they still have their food truck!), i am super stoked this place is opening soon. The habit is awful now that they sold out, and every other burger place downtown charges between $15 to $25 for a burger(!!!). This place will slay it!
I still mourn the loss of Romanti-Ezer there, but this seems like a good replacement. Dunno about the parking issue, there are multiple parking structures less than 5 minutes walk away (City Lot #2, Lot #10 and the Paseo Nuevo lot)
They can *&^% off with their 3% bullshit surcharge though.
Clearly stated that it’s optional.
I stopped on that corner so many times 15 – 25 years ago after nights at WildCat. If they’re smart about it, they’ll be open late on Friday and Saturday and catch that hungry late night crowd. Worked for Blue Owl.
Easy Rich take a chill pill breath. Romantizer was a sub par restaurant like going to Taco Bell. If you want good Mexican food go to la super rica or los arroyos.
Peace ✌️
you just named two of the worst mexican joints in town…los arroyos..really? you must work there. that place is awful quality, tiny tourist portions, and high prices. Romantis was excellent mexican and central american foods mixed with some cuban accents. clearly you didn’t eat there much. they have the absolute best mole i have ever had. lily’s tacos trumps la super rica any day and Litos blows them all away. Want even better? Drive to Goleta and hit up Pepe’s. Los Arroyos….lol that’s hilarious
When we were little over on bath five hundred block. Ernie’s was the place had the best fries. They’re the original He would see us messing around outside and oops.Right before closing he would drop fries. Well kids I can’t eat all these fries make bags for each of us. Virgil Vasquez was the owner and he.Also had his barbershop Behind the shop.
Sorry , I can go on and on with cookie fun stories But true.
Wow, this is amazing news. The best fried chicken sandwich I’ve ever had was from the Win-dow in Venice.
If the staff at the WinDow see a face and hands smooshed against the glass, it’s just me waiting for the opening 😊
Wow! great reporting!
I welcome a $ 4 cheeseburger!
Yeah, too bad the veg option is twice that!
Hamburgers to go? Or will some of the space in the parking lot be repurposed for tables?
As a Venice transplant, this is EXCELLENT news. Smash burgers don’t get any better than this and DoorDash just got a whole lot brighter.
Great, yet another burger joint.
Hey, you know what we also need more of? How about Mexican food?!
I’m so tired of smash burgers. They’re like burger jerky. I want a thick, juicy burger.
I think this is brilliant, an easy walk from State St. or people can park in the Ortega Street public lot. The prices seem reasonable. Can’t wait.
They will not be able to keep these advertised prices for long or go out of business if they don’t charge more.
Priced to bring in customers but probably increase after a few months
Wait, I’m confused. It’s from L.A. – aren’t we supposed to hate it? /s
Menu looks very inexpensive..
WE NIMBY on a case by case basis.
So glad it’s a burger joint again! We would ride in on the Greyhound ,from Carpinteria, go to Fiestas and afterwords have a burger before our return trip home. Confetti, fiesta, outfits and family fun.