IV Food Co-op Downtown Market — Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Cantwell's is an interesting place that I personally appreciate on many levels, but I'll split this review into two parts: rating the market aspect, and rating the deli aspect. First up; the market (3 stars). The market is great if you are staying at one of the hotels within 300 feet, and don't care about the sticker prices, or if you are a local, and need a cooking ingredient or something as soon as possible. You'll pay 75% more than Ralph's, which is five blocks away for the convenience. I'm rather surprised that 50% of the market space hasn't yet been ditched for expanding the more grab-and-go/breakfast/lunch items. The day-old, half-off, in-house-prepared-and-packaged foods, as well as the Santita's tortilla chips are the best buys. The wine selection is excellent, and fairly priced, but the beer selection and pricing leaves a little to be desired. However, the deli (five stars) is fantastic, even though it is a little more expensive than other places. The deli staff is very helpful and friendly, and the wide-ranging food ingredients are usually locally-sourced, fresh, and/or organic, which is a huge plus. The deli portion sizes are good for the price, and they do a "Taco Tuesday", too. Seating areas inside and outside exist, but I prefer the indoor seating, as the external seating is essentially in the ample parking lot. In short, they pack a lot of good food products and options here, is convenient, very well-run, but the market pricing is...

As a coop member I'm delighted to have a full service grocery store and deli just blocks from where I live. There are deals to be had, and the staff are friendly, lovely people. Soups are good.

1 downvote for so much bland food in the deli case: egg salad, tuna salad, and potato salad are horribly bland compared to cantwells versions. I bought coop made tamales without any seasoning inside, just bland shredded chicken and masa. AYKM?? I mean it was still bland after saucing it up.

1 downvote for the sad limp veggies and over ripe fruit. They have no way to mist green produce, it just sits there.

I can't believe after all the feedback to the board that the coop took over a deli only to serve tired bland food, in a town that madly runs for premade convenience, along with wilting, mopey produce.

Go look at Oak Park Market, or any other grocer in the area that isn't grocery outlet. You'll see vibrant colors and fresh flavors.

This is why I did not donate to the market campaign to keep it open: they're leaving money on the table when they could be crushing it with locals, picnic-ers and tourists. 👎🏽👎🏽👎🏽

I do shop here but every time I come in I hope it's gonna be better and that isn't at...

I have been going here for years, they have great hot case items and the family that used to own it were wonderful and a cherished part of the community. I knew them all personally.

Since it was bought by Isla Vista Co-op, the quality has noticeably dropped. Seems to be run by a bunch of college students now who don't really want to be there, and the family vibe is utterly gone, as well as the attentiveness. New employees are also weird, for example they were out of half and half in the coffee station, and someone said that they "didn't have any more" when I asked. Old owners would be happy to grab some out of the main refrigerator. This employee didn't even look at me, or help at all beyond a cheeky comment....unfathomable with the old guard that used to own the place. Even if they really didn't have more half and half, there was no semblance of care or customer service.

They still have a great deli, since some of the same people are still working in the back, but the place has certainly changed since Isla Vista Co-op took over in a negative way. Better off swinging by a local coffee shop for a...