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The Honey B Café Opens Atop Antioch University

Release Date: October 20,2016

Katie Belanger opened The Honey B atop Antioch University, where she sells waffle sandwiches and baked goods.
Katie Belanger opened The Honey B atop Antioch University, where she sells waffle sandwiches and baked goods. (Sam Goldman / Noozhawk photo)
 
By Sam Goldman, Noozhawk Staff Writer | @Sam__Goldman

     

Now open atop Antioch University in Santa Barbara is The Honey B, a waffle sandwich and “Buddha Bowl” rooftop café at 602 Anacapa St.

Most of The Honey B’s menu is either vegetarian or vegan, and revolves around healthy, locally-sourced ingredients.

The restaurant is the creation of Katie Belanger, whose chocolate-raspberry cake won a 2014 episode of the reality TV show On the Menu after she moved to California from the Midwest.

Belanger turned her cash prize from the show into Cinnies, a vegan wholesale baking company, and started catering events and opening pop-up restaurants.

Belanger acquired the Antioch location after finding two business mentors at the university.

“Our menu items consist of these gourmet waffle items that are seasoned with cheeses and herbs,” she said. “Our three flavors right now are cheddar and chives, garlic parmesan and spinach-mozzarella-flavored waffles.”

Many of her fruit and vegetables come from local growers.

“Any little product that I see at the farmers’ market, I’ll try to think of a recipe that I could incorporate into the café,” she said.

Though it’s on the roof of a private college, The Honey B, which opened Oct. 7, is open to the public, and has Wi-Fi, an outdoor patio and a fire pit.

“I call it a little hidden gem that shouldn’t be so hidden,” Belanger said.

The Honey B also does catering, she added, and is open 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and is closed on Sunday.

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