The Central Coast is the heart of tri tip country. From the Santa Maria Valley through San Luis Obispo, this is where the red oak tradition runs deepest.
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. For the full story of how this tradition started, see our Santa Maria BBQ history.
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.
Ventura County picks up where Santa Barbara leaves off. The tri tip tradition thins out a bit this far south, but the spots that do it are worth the stop.
South of the Central Coast, tri tip turns up from Ventura County down through Los Angeles. Here’s where it’s worth a stop.
Up in the Bay Area, tri tip rides on Central Coast transplants and weekend market grills. Here’s where to look.
The Hitching Post II
Buellton
Famous from the movie Sideways, but locals knew it long before that. Steaks, chops, and seafood come off a red oak fire at dinner. For tri tip, go at lunch: the winery tasting room next door serves an oak-grilled tri tip sandwich Wednesday through Sunday, 11:30 to 3. A dinner reservation is a good idea on weekends.
Directions to The Hitching Post II
406 E Highway 246 · (805) 688-0676 · hitchingpost2.com
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.
125 N Thompson Ave · (805) 929-3686 · jockossteakhouse.com
Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill
Wood Ranch grills its tri tip over an open hardwood fire and slices it to order. The platter comes with beans and a choice of house sauces, and the tri tip sandwich makes a solid lunch. It’s a polished sit-down operation rather than a roadside pit, but the tri tip itself is the real deal, and it’s on the menu every day.
LA-area locations include Brentwood, Burbank, Northridge, Manhattan Beach, Cerritos, and Valencia.
Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill
Thousand Oaks
Wood Ranch got its start in Moorpark in 1992, and the Thousand Oaks room runs the same playbook. Tri tip comes off the fire with a solid crust, and they pair it with a sweet BBQ sauce that works better than it should. Go for the tri tip sandwich if you want speed, the platter if you want the full spread.
Wood Ranch has several other locations across Southern California.
Directions to Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill
446 W Hillcrest Dr · (805) 342-0998 · woodranch.com
Salty’s BBQ & Catering
Bakersfield
Bakersfield’s oak-grilled standard bearer. Tri tip and chicken come off the fire up front, ribs and pulled pork out of the smoker, and the steady line says the town approves. The Rosedale original is the one to hit.
Directions to Salty’s BBQ & Catering
9425 Rosedale Hwy · (661) 587-8437 · saltysbbq.com
Holy Cow BBQ
Santa Monica
Santa Maria style barbecue on the Westside, one of the few LA spots flying that flag. Tri tip sandwiches and plates a few blocks off San Vicente in Santa Monica.
264 26th St · (310) 883-6269 · holycowbbq.com
Best Bar-B-Q
Santa Paula
A Santa Paula barbecue spot serving tri tip, BBQ chicken, hot links, and chili beans. A Ventura County favorite.
915 Harvard Blvd · (805) 229-7668 · bestbbqsp.com
Cold Spring Tavern
Santa Barbara
A historic 1860s stagecoach stop in the Santa Ynez Mountains above Santa Barbara, famous for red-oak-grilled tri tip sandwiches at its weekend outdoor barbecue.
Come on a weekend for the outdoor tri tip grill on Stagecoach Road.
Directions to Cold Spring Tavern
5995 Stagecoach Rd · (805) 967-0066 · coldspringtavern.com
Firestone Grill
Bakersfield
The Bakersfield branch of the SLO original, open since 2016. Same oak-fired grill, same tri tip sandwich sliced and sauced on a French roll, and no Higuera Street line.
3501 California Ave · (661) 779-2059 · firestonegrill.com/locations/firestone-grill-bakersfield
Rancho Nipomo BBQ & Deli
Nipomo
A Nipomo deli that smokes its tri tip over red oak instead of grilling it, then works it into burritos, tortas, and plates. Half barbecue joint, half Cal-Mex kitchen.
Closed Mondays.
Directions to Rancho Nipomo BBQ & Deli
108 Cuyama Ln · (805) 925-3500 · ranchonipomobbq.com
Rosie’s BBQ Kitchen
Chatsworth
A San Fernando Valley barbecue institution slow-cooking tri tip since 1985, known for its tri tip sandwiches and plates on Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Directions to Rosie’s BBQ Kitchen
10220 Topanga Canyon Blvd · (818) 407-0403 · rosiesbbqkitchen.com
Barbareño
Santa Barbara
A downtown Santa Barbara dinner spot built around Central Coast cooking, with a Santa Maria BBQ plate on the menu. Brandt beef tri tip arrives with pinquito beans, pico de gallo, and garlic bread.
205 W Canon Perdido St · (805) 963-9591 · barbareno.com
Deer Lodge
Ojai
Ojai’s historic restaurant and tavern, operating for over seven decades. Classic Californian cuisine with weekend barbecue offerings. A meeting place for locals and travelers at the edge of the Los Padres National Forest.
2261 Maricopa Hwy · (805) 646-4256 · deerlodgeojai.com
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. They don’t smoke it, but the tri tip is tender and the sandwich is one of the best values in town. Expect a line.
1001 Higuera St · (805) 783-1001 · firestonegrill.com
Stonefire Grill
Tri tip is the signature at this fast-casual SoCal chain. It’s grilled, sliced thin, and served on platters, salads, and sandwiches, with a tri tip dip that has a loyal following. You order at the counter and you’re eating within minutes. A dependable tri tip fix with no wait and no pop-up schedule to chase.
LA-area locations include West Hills, Chatsworth, Pasadena, Valencia, Lakewood, and Torrance.
The Hitching Post
Casmalia
The original Hitching Post, tucked into the tiny community of Casmalia off the 101. Less well-known than its Buellton counterpart, which means shorter waits and a more local crowd. Pure old-school Central Coast BBQ.
Directions to The Hitching Post
3325 Point Sal Rd · (805) 937-6151 · hitchingpost1.com
Smokin Woods BBQ
Oakland
Temescal’s answer to the East Bay tri tip question since 2013. James Woodard puts tri tip on the board as a house specialty, not an afterthought, and the half pound plate with two sides is the move. Full bar and a patio for the wait.
Directions to Smokin Woods BBQ
4307 Telegraph Ave · (510) 423-8634 · smokinwoodsbbq.com
Marshall’s Bodacious BBQ
Ventura
A Ventura barbecue joint with the grill going right out front. Tri tip plates and sandwiches with the classic sides, cooked by people who clearly love the work.
Directions to Marshall’s Bodacious BBQ
6353 Ventura Blvd #18 · (805) 650-0650 · marshallsbodaciousbbq.com
The Swiss Restaurant & Bar
Santa Maria
An old-school Santa Maria steakhouse serving oak barbecue since the 1940s. They age and cut their own beef in-house, and the steaks, chops, and tri tip come straight off the red oak pit.
One of the last of the old guard. The oak grill sandwiches at lunch are the move, and the lounge is worth a stop before dinner.
Directions to The Swiss Restaurant & Bar
516 N Broadway · (805) 347-7800 · swissrestaurantandbar.com
Shaw’s Steakhouse & Tavern
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.
Directions to Shaw’s Steakhouse & Tavern
714 S Broadway · (805) 925-5862 · shaws-steakhouse.com
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.
Directions to Sylvester’s Burgers
6455 El Camino Real · (805) 466-7591 · sylvestersburgers.com
Los Olivos Grocery
Santa Ynez
A Santa Ynez Valley grocery and deli with a half-pound grilled tri tip sandwich on a French roll, served Friday through Sunday only, alongside local wine and gourmet provisions.
The deli counter is the move. Grab a tri tip sandwich for the road on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
Directions to Los Olivos Grocery
2621 Hwy 154 · (805) 688-5115 · losolivosgrocery.com
Gandolfo Family Market & Deli
Los Olivos
A family market on Grand Avenue where the grill out front turns out a Santa Maria style tri tip sandwich with real red oak smoke, on a toasted French roll with garlic butter.
The grill doesn’t fire every day, so follow the smoke.
Directions to Gandolfo Family Market & Deli
2948 Grand Ave, Suite A · (805) 697-7183 · gandolfofamilymarket.com
SLO Thursday Night Farmers Market
San Luis Obispo
One of the largest weekly farmers markets in California takes over downtown Higuera Street every Thursday evening. Look for the vendors grilling tri tip over oak. The setups are bare-bones but the technique is real. Follow the smoke.
Thursday evenings, year-round.
Directions to SLO Thursday Night Farmers Market
Higuera Street
Far Western Tavern
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.
Directions to Far Western Tavern
300 E Clark Ave · (805) 937-2211 · farwesterntavern.com
Garey Store & Deli
Santa Maria
A tiny country store out on Foxen Canyon Road with a cult following for its smoked tri tip sandwich. They make only about 150 each Friday, thin-sliced and piled on a French roll, and they sell out.
Call ahead Friday morning to reserve a sandwich. Hours shift out here, so confirm before making the drive.
Directions to Garey Store & Deli
3798 Foxen Canyon Rd · (805) 937-3361 · facebook.com/GareyStoreandDeli
Old SLO BBQ Co.
San Luis Obispo
A walk-up window on Higuera Street grilling Santa Maria style tri tip over local red oak in open fires. The tri tip is hand-trimmed Angus, and on Thursday nights they work the farmers market crowd right outside.
670 Higuera St, Suite B · (805) 285-2473 · oldsanluisbbq.com
Old SLO BBQ Co.
San Luis Obispo
The Marigold Center sibling of the downtown window, with the same red oak fire and the same hand-trimmed tri tip. Easier parking, same Santa Maria routine.
3870 Broad St #3 · (805) 439-3072 · oldsanluisbbq.com
Rib Line BBQ
San Luis Obispo
A barbecue house out on Los Osos Valley Road where the tri tip is oak roasted and the sandwich is the one people drive out for. Ribs, plates, and big family packs round out the board.
12308 Los Osos Valley Rd · (805) 543-7427 · ribline.com
Main Street Grill
Cambria
The Firestone Grill family’s Cambria outpost, open since 1984. The tri tip sandwich comes sliced and sauced on a French roll, the same order that made Firestone a SLO institution.
Directions to Main Street Grill
603 Main St · (805) 927-3194 · firestonegrill.com/locations/main-street-grill-cambria
Vix Creek Saloon
Arroyo Grande
A western steakhouse in the Arroyo Grande Village serving tri tip plates and sandwiches with vaquero beans, salsa, and garlic bread. Their oak-pit tri tip also brought the old McLintocks setup back to the SLO Thursday farmers market.
Directions to Vix Creek Saloon
133 Bridge St, Suite A · (805) 202-8504 · vixcreeksaloon.com
BBQ Land
Santa Maria
The mammoth red oak grill sits right by the front door, which tells you everything about the priorities here. A no-fuss Broadway counter spot serving the archetypal Santa Maria tri tip sandwich, the way locals have ordered it for decades.
1975 S Broadway · (805) 346-8537 · bbq-land.com
Cuyama Buckhorn
New Cuyama
A roadside motel, restaurant, and bar out in New Cuyama, open since 1952. The kitchen serves Santa Maria style tri tip with heirloom beans, and its chuck wagon barbecues have featured oak-roasted tri tip with pinquito beans.
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
4923 Primero St · (661) 766-2825 · cuyamabuckhorn.com
Best BBQ
Santa Barbara
The downtown Santa Barbara outpost of Santa Paula’s Best BBQ, on State Street since 2024. The slow-cooked tri tip sandwich is the featured item. Open daily.
716 State St · (805) 770-2444 · bestbbqsp.com
Hitching Post Wines
Buellton
The tri tip anchor. The same family grills Santa Maria barbecue over red oak and makes the Pinot next door, and their Pinot shows up as a listed pairing for Santa Maria tri tip. The tasting room sits beside Hitching Post II in Buellton.
Pinot Noir, Syrah, Rose
Directions to Hitching Post Wines
420 E Highway 246 · hpwines.com
Tablas Creek Vineyard
Paso Robles
Rhone benchmark and the first Regenerative Organic Certified vineyard in the world, grazed by a grass fed sheep flock. GSM blends and Mourvedre take to smoky tri tip.
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, GSM blends
Directions to Tablas Creek Vineyard
9339 Adelaida Rd · (805) 237-1231 · tablascreek.com
The Ojai Vineyard
Ojai
Adam Tolmach’s downtown Ojai tasting room and the Ventura County pick. Cool climate Syrah for grilled tri tip.
Syrah, Rhone whites, Pinot Noir
Directions to The Ojai Vineyard
109 S Montgomery St · (805) 649-1674 · ojaivineyard.com
Eberle Winery
Paso Robles
Paso pioneer with underground caves and free daily tastings. Cabernet and Syrah stand up to a bark heavy tri tip.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel
3810 Hwy 46 E · (805) 238-9607 · eberlewinery.com
Foxen Vineyard & Winery
Santa Maria
Santa Maria Valley icon since 1985, set on a 2,000 acre cattle ranch with a cattle brand for a logo. The Syrah and Cabernet carry grilled tri tip, the Pinot suits the leaner cut.
Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rhone blends
Directions to Foxen Vineyard & Winery
7600 Foxen Canyon Rd · (805) 937-4251 · foxenvineyard.com
Presqu’ile Winery
Santa Maria
Hilltop estate with a kitchen and a 240 foot cave. Chef pairings and estate Syrah make it an easy stop, reservations recommended.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc
Directions to Presqu’ile Winery
5391 Presquile Dr · (805) 937-8110 · presquilewine.com
Tobin James Cellars
Paso Robles
Old western saloon tasting room on a former stagecoach stop east of Paso. Big, bold Zinfandel made for grilled red meat.
Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
Directions to Tobin James Cellars
8950 Union Rd · (805) 239-2204 · tobinjames.com
Riverbench Vineyard & Winery
Santa Maria
Estate Pinot and sparkling on Foxen Canyon Road. The Pinot is the classic Santa Maria match for red oak tri tip.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sparkling
Directions to Riverbench Vineyard & Winery
6020 Foxen Canyon Rd · (805) 937-8340 · riverbench.com
Wolff Vineyards
San Luis Obispo
Family run Edna Valley estate minutes from town. Syrah and Petite Sirah carry the char.
Syrah, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir
6238 Orcutt Rd · (805) 781-0448 · wolffvineyards.com
Kynsi Winery
Arroyo Grande
Relaxed Arroyo Grande Valley spot founded in 1995, picnic friendly. Syrah and estate Pinot work the grill.
Syrah, Grenache, Pinot Noir
2212 Corbett Canyon Rd · (805) 544-8461 · kynsi.com
Rancho Sisquoc Winery
Santa Maria
Off the beaten path on a working ranch, built for a picnic. Sangiovese, Cabernet, and Syrah pour easy alongside grilled beef.
Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Meritage
Directions to Rancho Sisquoc Winery
6600 Foxen Canyon Rd · (805) 934-4332 · ranchosisquoc.com
Beckmen Vineyards
Los Olivos
Santa Barbara County’s first biodynamic vineyard, with Ballard Canyon Syrah and Grenache as the stars. Those bold reds meet red oak char head on.
Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon
Directions to Beckmen Vineyards
2670 Ontiveros Rd · (805) 688-8664 · beckmenvineyards.com
Stolpman Vineyards
Los Olivos
Ballard Canyon Syrah specialist, dry farmed on limestone. Structured, peppery reds made for grilled red meat.
Syrah, Sangiovese, Roussanne
Directions to Stolpman Vineyards
2434 Alamo Pintado Ave · (805) 688-0400 · stolpmanvineyards.com
Carhartt Family Wines
Los Olivos
A small family cabin in Los Olivos run by ranch people, open most days with outside food welcome. Grenache and Syrah pour easy for a BBQ crowd.
Grenache, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc
Directions to Carhartt Family Wines
2939 Grand Ave · (805) 693-5100 · carharttfamilywines.com
Shalhoob’s Butcher Shop
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara family institution since 1973, three generations. Hormone and antibiotic free, grain-fed. A tri tip specialist: roughly $35.99 for a 3 pound tri tip as is, $44.97 seasoned and tenderized, $24.99 smoked, plus tri tip sausages and freezer packs.
Directions to Shalhoob’s Butcher Shop
220 Gray Ave · (805) 963-7733 · shalhoob.com
Sinton & Sons Local Meats and Provisions
Templeton
5th-generation SLO County ranching family (Avenales Ranch, est. 1875). Raises beef in Shandon and Pozo and runs its own processing facility for local ranchers. Tri tip is a standard cut here; call ahead to confirm the case.
Directions to Sinton & Sons Local Meats and Provisions
1121 Rossi Rd · (805) 434-5050 · sintonandsons.com
Watkins Ranch Butcher Shop
Ojai
Family operation that is both rancher and butcher. No hormones or antibiotics. Ranch and harvest moved to Northern Utah, Ojai shop is the retail front. Pasture to counter, with an online store; call ahead to confirm current tri tip stock.
Directions to Watkins Ranch Butcher Shop
105 E El Roblar Dr · (805) 640-1179
Santa Barbara Meat Co at Pork Palace
Gaviota
5th-generation California family farm. Grass-fed and grass-finished, pasture-raised, butchered on-farm. Ships statewide, by appointment. Tri tip is featured in the grass-finished program, with an online store and herd shares.
By appointment only. Call ahead before you drive out.
Directions to Santa Barbara Meat Co at Pork Palace
1503 US-101 · (805) 364-2346 · santabarbarameatco.com
Sinton & Sons Local Meats and Provisions
Paso Robles
Second location of the Sinton family operation. Same local-ranch sourcing and processing. Tri tip is a standard cut here; call ahead to confirm the case.
Directions to Sinton & Sons Local Meats and Provisions
3450 Riverside Ave · (805) 237-8100 · sintonandsons.com
The Ventura Meat Company
Ventura
Locally owned independent butcher since 2011, in-house processing a few blocks from the shop. Tri tip is a safe bet at this full-service butcher; call ahead to confirm.
Directions to The Ventura Meat Company
2650 E Main St · (805) 667-9159 · vtameatco.com
Cal Poly Meats
San Luis Obispo
Student-run, USDA-inspected. Beef from the campus Angus and Angus-cross herd. Retail Thu-Sat only. Tri tip runs about $11.50 a pound, fresh or frozen, from the grain-finished herd.
1952 Stenner Creek Rd · (805) 756-2114 · calpolymeats.com
Five Points Meat Market
Ventura
Harris Ranch beef plus grass-finished Certified Piedmontese, dry-aged on premises. Tri tip is a safe bet here; call ahead to confirm current stock.
Directions to Five Points Meat Market
3049 E Main St · (805) 643-0318 · fivepointsmeatmarket.com
Motley Crew Marketplace
Buellton
Sells meat from its own ranch (Motley Crew Ranch) with a regenerative and sustainable focus. Reviewers single out the tri tip among the steaks; call ahead to confirm stock.
Directions to Motley Crew Marketplace
225 McMurray Rd Ste F · (805) 325-6274 · motleycrewmarket.com
El Rancho Market
Solvang
Full grocery with a serious butcher counter. Destination for its meat case. Tri tip is a safe bet at this meat counter; call ahead to confirm.
Directions to El Rancho Market
2886 Mission Dr · (805) 688-4300 · elranchomarket.com
Old Fashion Country Butcher
Santa Paula
Third-generation full-service butcher. Custom butchering, dry aging, works with local grass-fed ranchers. A custom-cut shop that cuts tri tip to order; call ahead to confirm the retail case.
Directions to Old Fashion Country Butcher
335 S 5th St · (805) 933-3968
Premium Meat Market
San Luis Obispo
Local carniceria-style market, custom cuts and prime beef. Everything is cut to order, so call ahead to confirm tri tip.
Directions to Premium Meat Market
2252 Broad St Ste 130 · (805) 439-0063
Arroyo Grande Meat Company
Arroyo Grande
Full-service butcher since 1897. Custom cut to order, dry-aged and wagyu programs, bison and wild game. A tri tip sandwich is on the menu, and they cut tri tip to order.
Directions to Arroyo Grande Meat Company
120 E Branch St · (805) 489-2693 · agmeatcompany.com/us/index.html
Brown’s Top Shelf Meats
Westlake Village
Dry-aging and wagyu destination on the Conejo side. Technically LA County line but serves Ventura County. The focus is wagyu and dry-aging, so tri tip is more likely cut to order than a case staple; call ahead to confirm.
Directions to Brown’s Top Shelf Meats
2260 Townsgate Rd #1 · (805) 852-5213 · topshelfmeats.com
Woody’s Butcher Block
Santa Maria
Upscale neighborhood meat market in Santa Maria, the birthplace of tri-tip. A Santa Maria butcher with a tri tip sandwich on the menu; the raw case almost always has it, but call to confirm.
Directions to Woody’s Butcher Block
700 E Main St #104 · (805) 354-0213
Lombardo’s Gourmet Deli & Meats
Camarillo
Neighborhood deli, butcher shop, and market. Knowledgeable butcher counter. The counter is known for prime rib and lamb, and tri tip is a safe bet; call ahead to confirm.
Directions to Lombardo’s Gourmet Deli & Meats
695 Mobil Ave · (805) 482-7318 · lombardosdeli.com
Zio Brand Meats & Sausages
Paso Robles
Family Swiss butchery, local beef (grain-finished). Custom butchering and processing. Regulars praise the tri tip; call ahead to confirm it is in the case.
Directions to Zio Brand Meats & Sausages
2425 Golden Hill Rd #105 · (805) 835-2245
Establos Meat Market
Camarillo
Carniceria and taqueria with a butcher counter, marinated cuts. At this carniceria tri tip often shows up pre-marinated for asada or under a different label; call ahead to confirm.
Directions to Establos Meat Market
2633 Ventura Blvd · (805) 384-9855
Primal House
Paso Robles
Butcher counter plus restaurant and brewery. Call ahead to confirm tri tip at the counter.
3330 Ramada Dr · (805) 202-4700 · primalhousepaso.com
Ben’s Custom Meat Cutting
Atascadero
Custom processing and dry aging. Works with local ranchers on whole and half animals. Tri tip comes through whole or half orders or the retail case; call ahead to confirm retail.
Directions to Ben’s Custom Meat Cutting
6100 Rocky Canyon Rd · (805) 466-2103 · benscustommeatcutting.com
Oak Hill Market
Paso Robles
Country grocery with a well-regarded meat department. Call ahead to confirm tri tip at the meat counter.
2150 Heritage Loop Rd · (805) 238-5253 · theoakhillmarket.com
Copper Top BBQ
Big Pine
The tri tip stop on US 395 in Big Pine, between Lone Pine and Bishop. Father and son Henry Otten and Matthew Kerley-Otten opened it in 2013, and two years later Yelp named it the top restaurant in the country. The tri tip comes off the smoker Santa Maria style, served medium rare to medium, as a sandwich or on the Big Pine Mega Platter. Weekends and holidays draw a line, and it can sell out before close. A 24/7 vending machine sells smoked meat after hours.
442 N Main St · (442) 434-1339 · coppertopbbq.com
Beyond California
The cut travels. The tradition doesn’t. You’ll find tri tip on menus in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and scattered joints across the Midwest and South. What you won’t find outside California is Santa Maria style: red oak, the full spread. For that, you come here.
For BBQ joint reviews across LA county beyond the Santa Maria tradition, brisket spots, ribs, hot links, see LA-area BBQ joints on BBQ Junkie.
The real move
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.
Rather cook it yourself? Start with how to cook tri tip, learn how to slice it the right way, or check what tri tip should cost before you buy.
Know a spot we’re missing? Send us your favorites. Get in touchand we’ll check it out.
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