We always seem to make it back to Santa Barbara in time to celebrate the birthday of someone very special to us – David. Last night was no different and we met up with a big crew of David’s friends at Chuck’s of Hawaii – a local favorite for classic steaks and seafood since 1967. Some things, it turns out, are good enough that they don’t need to change in order to thrive.

David and Sarah

Friday night was a big night: celebrating the end of the week, graduation for many people, plus our crew of almost twenty people to raise a glass and share David’s birthday with him. I doubt that much has changed in the almost 50 years that this restaurant has been in business. The bartender, in his signature Hawaiian shirt, is still making and pouring their renowned Mai-Tai’s, the dinner menu that is hand painted on a Lancers’ bottle, the traditional salad bar that every decent steakhouse used to have back in the day, and prime beef and seafood selections to satisfy every appetite.

Chuck’s is a favorite hang-out for David and his crew and the staff took very good care of our party of mostly thirty-somethings (Ron and I were much older, but felt very welcome and comfortable with this group). The steak was FABULOUS, the baked potato delicious, the delectable cherry-topped cheesecake the restaurant provided as David’s birthday cake, and the drinks, conversation and laughs were enjoyed by all. We had a really great evening and were glad, once again, to be able to celebrate David’s birthday with him!