Special Delivery: Santa Maria BBQ
In an earlier post, we revealed how tri-tip became a signature cut of Santa Maria Style Barbecue, and how it can still be hard to find beyond the borders of California’s Central Coast.
Well, fret not, faraway tri-tip fans, because one local Santa Maria BBQ specialist is now offering pre-prepared tri-tip meals that can be delivered directly to your home.
Indeed, BBQ2You by the famed Hitching Post restaurant in the Santa Maria Valley has developed an ingenious method for exporting our local flavors: “Not only do we hand trim each tri-tip steak, filet mignon, or New York steak, we take it one step further and fully prepare your steak for you. Meaning, we barbecue each steak over a live red oak barbecue pit, then we season and baste the meat with our signature Hitching Post recipe. The steaks are then flash frozen and vacuumed sealed to ensure freshness. We then FedEx the steaks right to your doorstep!”
Umm…How cool is that?
The Hitching Post was established in 1944 in Casmalia and has been owned by the Ostini family since 1952. The Ostinis opened their second Hitching Post restaurant in Buellton in 1986. An indoor barbecue pit filled with red oak is the secret to the Hitching Post’s signature dining experience. In other words, they know Santa Maria Style BBQ!
After Thanksgiving and Christmas, you’ll be tired of turkey and ham, right? Well, now you have a great option for kicking off the New Year with an authentic, ready-to-go Santa Maria Style Barbecue conveniently delivered to your doorstep. Check out the BBQ2You web site for ordering and information.
Add comment December 22, 2009
The Origins of Santa Maria Tri-Tip
Anyone who follows the smoke in the Santa Maria Valley is bound to discover sizzling cuts of tri-tip, which has become a staple of the local barbecue tradition.
So what is tri-tip, and how did it become a cornerstone of Santa Maria Style BBQ?
According to R.H. Tesene’s definitive book titled Santa Maria Style Barbecue, “In the 1950s, a local butcher named Bob Schutz perfected the tri-tip, which is a two to three pound triangular shaped cut off the top sirloin.”
In the same book, Clarence Minetti, founder of the Far Western Tavern, recalls: “It was brought to my attention by Bob Schutz, who then owned the Santa Maria Market on North Broadway. It proved to be a very good cut of meat…The tri-tip has become the most popular cut of meat for family barbecues, as the cuts are smaller.”
And thus a new tradition was born, with tri-tip joining top block sirloin as a signature cut of Santa Maria BBQ. Prior to tri-tip being popularized in the Santa Maria Valley, the cut was mainly disregarded by butchers as something to be used for ground beef or stew meat. In fact, even today, many butchers outside of the Central Coast still don’t know what “tri-tip” is.
Their loss! It just makes Bob Schutz’s gift to Santa Maria Style Barbecue all the more special.
P.S. The above photo is reproduced from Chef John’s Food Wishes blog.
Add comment December 17, 2009
Sizzling Wines in BBQ Country
The Santa Maria Valley isn’t just barbecue country, it’s wine country, too.
Indeed, as we pointed out earlier this year, two wines from the Santa Maria Valley were named to the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 wines of 2008 out of 19,000 wines tasted from around the world.
Now we have more good news to report heading into 2010, as the 2006 Pinot Noir Julia’s Vineyard from our very own Cambria Winery has been named Wine Enthusiast magazine’s #1 wine on its Top 100 list for 2009 and has also been named Wine.com’s #1 wine on its Top 100 list for 2009 as well. Bravo, Cambria Winery!
So what’s the secret behind the magnificent award-winning wines of the Santa Maria Valley? Well, for starters, our region boasts a rare “transverse” geography, an east-west orientation that channels cool ocean air directly into the valley. The result is one of California’s longest growing seasons, which ensures the development of complex, flavorful and exquisitely balanced grapes. Additionally, our wine country is brimming with extraordinary winemaking talent.
The wines of the Santa Maria Valley, especially the red wines, have also proven to be a perfect match for Santa Maria Style Barbecue, adding a fresh dimension to this local culinary tradition. Today, more than a dozen winery tasting rooms welcome you to the Santa Maria Valley. Here, you will taste Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and many other varietals that excel in our extraordinary coastal climate and beautiful countryside. Visit the Santa Maria Valley Wine Country web site to plan your tour.
1 comment December 11, 2009
Recipe for A Sweet Holiday Treat
Santa Maria Valley strawberries are a sweet complement to the sizzling and savory flavors of Santa Maria Style Barbecue, as well as a perfect treat for holiday entertaining.
On that note, we are excited to share the following delightful recipe for chocolate dipped strawberries, generously provided by Chef Alex Araizaga of the Historic Santa Maria Inn in downtown Santa Maria.
Ingredients
12 large Santa Maria strawberries
2 cups dark chocolate chunks or chips
1 cup dark chocolate shavings
1 cup white chocolate shavings
(chocolate shavings can be substituted with shredded coconut rainbow decorettes, nuts, etc.)
Method
1. Boil a pot of water
2. Place a bowl inside, large enough to cover the opening of the pot
3. Place chocolate inside the bowl and melt
4. Once chocolate is melted, remove pot from heat
5. Leave the bowl covering the pot so chocolate will not cool
6. With your fingertips, grasp the star of the strawberry and dip into the chocolate
7. Roll dipped strawberry over chocolate shavings so that they attach to the chocolate dipping
8. Place on a pan layered with non-stick wax paper
9. Place inside refrigerator for 30 minutes
The Historic Santa Maria Inn was established in 1917 and still retains its classic turn-of-the-century charm. Once a legendary hub for the Hollywood elite—Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplain were among its famous guests—the Historic Santa Maria Inn remains steeped in the hospitality of a bygone era while boasting 164 guest rooms and 18 luxury suites with the latest amenities.
The Historic Santa Maria Inn recently completed a dramatic kitchen, restaurant and meeting space renovation and restoration project that took workers right down to the foundations built in 1917. The inn’s 100-seat Garden Room restaurant dining area and three additional meeting rooms also underwent a complete renovation including new interior design and new uniforms for the wait staff. The restaurant menu was also enhanced to include lighter fare such as salads and sandwiches while retaining some beloved Santa Maria favorites, including classic Santa Maria Style BBQ.
Add comment December 10, 2009
Don’t Forget to Dine Out in Santa Maria Style
Special thanks to Reka Badger and the Santa Maria Sun, KEYT Television, the Santa Maria Times and Katy Budge of Casa Festiva (if we’ve missed anyone, let us know!), for spreading the tasty word about Dine Out: Santa Maria Style, a special promotion that runs through December 13, 2009.
During this promotion, seven participating restaurants are offering special fixed price menus under the banner of “Dine Out: Santa Maria Style” in the heart of Santa Maria Style BBQ country.
The participating restaurants include Santa Maria Style Barbecue specialists The Hitching Post and Far Western Tavern, as well as the Garden Room Restaurant at the Historic Santa Maria Inn, Vintner’s Bar & Grill at the Radisson Hotel Santa Maria, Adelina’s Bistro at the Monarch Club, Bamboo Garden, and Quizno’s on South Bradley Road.
The fixed menu prices start at $10.09, and continue with the “09” theme at $20.09, $30.09 and $40.09, depending on the restaurant and meal (prices do not include tax or tip). Click here to view details and a full breakdown of the available menus.
P.S. Don’t forget to enjoy the simultaneous Wine Christmas Passport Weekend this weekend!
Add comment December 3, 2009
Dine and Save in Barbecue Country
Are you ready to treat yourself to a great meal at a nice price during the hectic holiday season? Of course you are! Which is why seven participating restaurants in the Santa Maria Valley are offering special prix fixe menus from November 30 through December 13, 2009 under the banner of “Dine Out: Santa Maria Style.”
The participating restaurants include Santa Maria Style Barbecue specialists The Hitching Post and Far Western Tavern, as well as the Garden Room Restaurant at the Historic Santa Maria Inn, Vintner’s Bar & Grill at the Radisson Hotel Santa Maria, Adelina’s Bistro at the Monarch Club, Bamboo Garden, and Quizno’s on South Bradley Road.
The fixed menu prices start at $10.09, and continue with the “09” theme at $20.09, $30.09 and $40.09, depending on the restaurant and meal (prices do not include tax or tip).
For example, the Vintner’s Bar & Grill is offering an English Cut Prime Rib meal for $20.09, which includes herb-crusted prime rib of beef, slow-roasted and sliced thin, served with garlic mashed potatoes, vegetables, au jus, creamed horseradish, soup or salad, choice of one “wine by the glass” selection or soft drink or coffee or tea, and one scoop of ice cream.
Meanwhile, the Far Western Tavern is offering seven-ounce Petite Prime Top Sirloin for $30.09, which is served with grilled polenta and your choice of housemade soup, local greens with choice of dressing or bay shrimp cocktail, Santa Maria Pinquito beans, housemade Far Western salsa, grilled French bread and apple dessert.
The Hitching Post in Casmalia is offering seven-ounce Top Sirloin with Scallops for $30.09 or Australian Lobster Tail for $40.09, both of which are served with bay shrimp cocktail, salad, potato or grilled vegetables, garlic bread, ice cream and coffee. Choices are offered for dinner only.
This promotion is designed to coincide with the Santa Maria Valley Wine Country’s Wine Christmas Passport Weekend, enabling you to partake in all of our local flavors at special celebratory prices.
Click here to view details and a full breakdown of the available menus. Are you getting hungry yet!?
Add comment November 19, 2009
Start Your Holidays with Wine & BBQ
When it comes to local flavors, fine wine has joined Santa Maria Style Barbecue as a world-class speciality in the Santa Maria Valley. Indeed, two wines from the valley were named to the Wine Spectator’s most recent list of Top 100 wines in the world.
Now, with the holidays on the horizon, you can indulge in the Santa Maria Valley taste experience during the “Wine Christmas” passport weekend on December 5-6, 2009.
During this event, 11 local wineries will break out the good cheer with holiday decor, music, cookies and more. Your $30 passport ticket includes a Riedel glass and tastings at each of the participating wineries. These wineries will also be offering wine and gift specials for stress-free holiday shopping. Click here for tickets and information.
The Santa Maria Valley Wine Country has also launched a companion web site at www.winecountryholiday.com, which showcases holiday events and specials througout the region during the passport weekend.
For visitors attending the “Wine Christmas” passport event, special lodging rates are available at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, Best Western Big America, Historic Santa Maria Inn and Radisson Hotel. Breakaway Tours, Central Coast Shuttle Services, and Classic Motoring Car Rentals will also offer special rates for passport participants. Just mention the code SMVWINES at any of the above businesses for your savings.
And don’t forget: no visit to the Santa Maria Valley is complete without a taste of Santa Maria Style Barbecue. Click here for a list of local restaurants who offer this sizzling sensation.
Add comment November 10, 2009
Bring Your Group for Santa Maria BBQ
The original Santa Maria Style Barbecue cookouts were big affairs, with the Santa Maria Club serving up to 700 patrons during their monthly “stag” barbecues. Today, local restaurants and caterers continue the tradition by accommodating parties, groups and business functions of all sizes.
Now, to help meeting and event planners create the perfect group experience in the heart of the Central Coast wine country, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau has unveiled its new “Event, Meeting & Sport Facilities.” This new booklet provides comprehensive details on group experiences and venues, including wineries, caterers, hotels, restaurants, bakeries, auditoriums, outdoor facilities, sports facilities and more.
Unique local venues for group gatherings include Cottonwood Canyon Winery, which hosts events within its underground wine cave; the Santa Maria Museum of Flight, which features numerous Hollywood movie props; the Severson Theater, home of the award-winning PCPA Theaterfest live theater company; and the Dunes Center, a quaint Craftsman structure that showcases the nearby Guadalupe-Nipomo coastal dunes experience; and, of course, several restaurants specializing in Santa Maria Style Barbecue.
The Santa Maria Valley is also becoming known for its expansive and diverse sports facilities for baseball, softball, cheerleading, golf, basketball, swimming, equestrian activities and more. The recently renovated Hagerman Sports Complex boasts four multi-purpose fields, a meeting room, snack bar, playground and RV parking area amid a beautiful tree-lined setting.
For a copy of the new booklet or for any assistance in planning a group experience in the Santa Maria Valley, please contact Group Services Coordinator Jennifer Mejia at (800) 331-3779 ext. 815 or jennifer(at)santamaria.com.
Add comment November 4, 2009
More Praise for Santa Maria Style BBQ
We are always thrilled to discover fresh praise for Santa Maria Style Barbecue, and the latest is found in a recent story by Bill Parson of Barbecue Tips & Techniques, who writes:
“Known as the ‘Barbecue Capital of the World,’ Santa Maria, California certainly lives up to the title. As you will see when visiting this area, or rather as you will smell, the wonderful aroma of BBQ wafting through this coastal valley, will lead you to any number of barbecues. Follow the smoke and you will soon be enjoying a superb meal of barbecued sirloin that will be a feast fit for kings.”
He adds:
“If you get the chance to visit the Santa Maria Valley, you cannot miss a chance of being treated to the deliciously simple taste of the Santa Maria BBQ, so come prepared. The number of people who come yearly to enjoy the taste of this time-honored traditional food numbers in the thousands. So, come hungry because you will be guaranteed not to leave that way.”
He says it so well that we’re speechless, so we’ll just leave it at that! Thanks, Bill, for shining the spotlight on Santa Maria Style Barbecue!
Add comment October 29, 2009
An Appetite for Santa Maria Barbecue
The popular food site Appetite for China apparently has an appetite for Santa Maria Style Barbecue, too, as evidenced by a recent story that states: “With all due respect to Memphis and Kansas City, Californians know the nation’s best barbecue may be in their own backyard.”
We know where this is headed…There’s a reason why the Santa Maria Valley is known as California’s Barbecue Capital!
The site’s founder, Diana Kuan, is a writer and cooking instructor. Her blog focuses on regional Chinese foods, as well as their “offspring” around the world.
In her story about Santa Maria Style Barbecue, Diana showcases a Santa Maria Style fundraiser for the fire station in Greenfield, in the Salinas Valley about two hours north of Santa Maria.
Santa Maria Style Barbecue has long been a staple of fundraisers and charity events in the Santa Maria Valley and beyond. You can find them up and down the coast, you just have to follow the smoke.
Thank you, Diana, for shining the spotlight on Santa Maria Style Barbecue!
4 comments October 23, 2009
