Where to Eat Near Summit Studios

Coffee before call time: Cajé Coffee Roasters

Cajé Coffee Roasters (416 E Haley St) roasts its coffee at its Haley Street location, a short walk from the studio. When the crew wants a proper coffee run during setup, this is where we send them.

Put the run on the call sheet so it happens while lights are going up. A coffee order that lands during the first setup costs nothing; one that lands mid-take costs a reset.

Burritos to go: Lito's Mexican Food

Lito's Mexican Food (514 E Haley St) is a family-run spot that has been serving Santa Barbara for more than 40 years. The menu includes breakfast burritos and a carnitas burrito, and most orders are to go, with limited seating inside.

That setup suits production well. One person can pick up an order for the whole crew and be back on set before the break is over.

A sit-down lunch: Arnoldi's Cafe

Arnoldi's Cafe (600 Olive St) is an Italian restaurant on the same block of Olive Street as the studio. When clients are in town and the schedule allows a real lunch, it is the easy choice, and you can reserve a table through their website ahead of the shoot.

A fully vegan menu: Rascal's

When the call sheet includes vegan crew or talent, Rascal's (432 E Haley St) serves an entirely plant-based menu built around Mexican-inspired comfort food. It works for the rest of the crew too, which makes it a simple single order.

Lunch service does not run every day of the week, so check their current hours before you plan the break around it.

After wrap: Third Window Brewing

Third Window Brewing Co. (406 E Haley St) is a brewery a few doors down Haley Street from Cajé. After a ten-hour day it is an easy place to land, whether the crew is talking through the footage or the client wants to celebrate a good shoot.

Catering and crew meals

For larger crews or a full day of craft services, ordering in usually beats walking everyone out. Ask us when you book and we'll suggest caterers we recommend.

On site, the crew has a stocked kitchenette for craft services and lounge seating off the stage, so a catered lunch has somewhere to go. See the studio amenities for the full list.

The beach is close too

Summit Studios is less than five minutes from the beach by car. If the shoot calls for a coastal exterior after the stage work, or your clients want to see the ocean before they head home, it is an easy add to the end of the day.

One thing to plan for: commercial shooting on a public beach needs a film permit, while shooting inside the studio does not. Our guide to planning a photo shoot in Santa Barbara covers permits and the best light on the coast.

Planning food around a ten-hour day

Rates at Summit are based on a ten-hour day, so food belongs on the schedule like any other setup. A few habits keep the day moving:

• Ask about dietary needs when you send the call sheet, not on the morning of the shoot
• Place lunch orders before the first setup so the food arrives when the break starts
• Reserve a table ahead if clients plan a sit-down lunch
• Keep the coffee run in the setup window, while the lights are still going up

Ready to book the stage? Request a quote and tell us your crew size, and we'll help you plan the day, food included.