Santa Maria Valley
This is ground zero for tri tip. The Santa Maria Valley, stretching from Guadalupe to Los Alamos, has more tri tip per capita than anywhere else in the world. Many of these spots have been serving the same recipe for decades — red oak, SPG rub, pinquito beans, salsa, garlic bread.
The Hitching Post II — Buellton
Famous from the movie Sideways, but locals knew it long before that. The Hitching Post grills everything over red oak, including their tri tip. The wine list is heavy on local Santa Ynez Valley producers. A reservation is a good idea on weekends.
Jocko’s — Nipomo
A Central Coast institution since 1953. Jocko’s cooks over oak and serves tri tip with all the traditional sides. The steaks are legendary too. Cash only (or they were for a long time — check before you go). The wait can be long on weekends but it’s worth it.
Shaw’s Steakhouse — Santa Maria
A classic Santa Maria BBQ steakhouse. Tri tip over red oak with the full traditional spread. The atmosphere is old-school California ranch country.
Far Western Tavern — Guadalupe / Orcutt
One of the oldest Santa Maria style BBQ restaurants in the region. The Far Western has been serving Central Coast ranchers and their families for generations. The tri tip is textbook Santa Maria style.
Tip
If you’re driving the 101 between LA and San Francisco, the Santa Maria Valley is roughly the halfway point. Plan a stop. Hit Jocko’s or the Hitching Post and turn a road trip into a pilgrimage.
San Luis Obispo County
SLO County sits just north of Santa Maria and shares the same BBQ DNA. The tri tip tradition runs strong here, especially in the smaller ranch towns.
Firestone Grill — San Luis Obispo
A Cal Poly staple. Firestone grills their tri tip over red oak and serves it on a French roll with their house BBQ sauce. The tri tip sandwich is the signature item and it’s one of the best values in town. Expect a line.
Sylvester’s Burgers — Atascadero
Known for burgers, but the tri tip plate is the real move. Grilled over oak with beans and salsa. Casual, affordable, and consistent.
Los Angeles
Tri tip has been spreading through LA’s BBQ and Mexican food scenes for years. You’ll find it at dedicated BBQ joints and as a protein option at taquerias across the city.
Bartz’s BBQ — Various Locations
A Santa Maria style pop-up that brings Central Coast BBQ to LA. Red oak, traditional rub, pinquito beans. Follow them on Instagram for schedule and locations.
Holy Cow BBQ — Various Locations
Another spot bringing Santa Maria tradition to Southern California. Quality tri tip with the traditional sides.
Bay Area
The Bay Area has its own BBQ identity, but tri tip has a solid presence — especially in the East Bay and South Bay where California BBQ culture has always been strong.
Horn Barbecue — Oakland
Matt Horn’s operation is primarily a Texas-style BBQ joint, but when tri tip is on the menu, it’s exceptional. Check the daily menu before making the trip.
Santa Maria BBQ spots at local farmers markets
Several vendors at Bay Area farmers markets cook Santa Maria style tri tip over portable red oak grills. The quality varies, but the best ones are as good as anything on the Central Coast.
Beyond California
Tri tip is going national. BBQ joints in Texas, the Pacific Northwest, and even the Southeast are putting tri tip on their menus. It’s still hard to find outside of California in its traditional Santa Maria form, but the cut itself is increasingly available at quality BBQ restaurants everywhere.
If you find a great tri tip spot outside California, we want to know about it. Drop us a line and we’ll add it to the guide.
Interactive Map Coming Soon
We’re building an interactive map of tri tip restaurants, butcher shops, and pop-ups across California and beyond. The map will let you filter by region, style (Santa Maria, smoked, tacos), and whether the spot serves the full traditional spread.
Know a spot that should be on the map? Reach out and let us know.
This is part of The Definitive Guide to BBQ Tri Tip.