Hitching Post Products in Stores

News Flash!

Santa Maria BBQ is headed to Supermarkets on the Central Coast of California!
Hitching Post Products derives it's roots from the original Hitching Post restaurant in Casmalia, CA...founded in 1952. The family has just launched their specialty Tri Tip into Supermarkets. This is not just over processed manufactured meat, but true authentic Santa Maria Style BBQ'd Tri Tip! They don't inject the meat with artificial infused smoke flavor like some companies do...Hitching Post Products actually cooks their Tri Tip over a live oak fire pit. Hitching Post Products is owned by the Ostini Family, and they carefully season the meat as they have been doing for nearly 60 years. Their standards are very high, as they never skimp out on the quality of meat. The beef comes from exclusive purveyors in the mid-west. They testify that corn-fed beef is the best in flavor, and if you are going to sit down and enjoy a steak dinner, why not have the Best! Providing the best quality to their customers is what the Ostini Family prides themselves on. See their new press release.

Wall Of Fame

On my last trip to the Central Coast, I stopped into the Santa Maria Historical Museum. I saw ancient wagons of days gone by, an old call center that the phone companies used to use, and hand carved wooden clocks. Nothing like the glitz and glamour of my Las Vegas casinos. I was really brought back in time and I loved it. That's when I stumbled across the wall of dedication.
The whole wall was dedicated to Santa Maria's World of BBQ. I gazed upon the early rancheros gathered under the oak trees of the Santa Maria Valley preparing BBQ's. Then I spotted my Grand Father Frank Ostini who was standing over his BBQ pit within the walls of the original Hitching Post restaurant. A sense of pride fell over me, to see my Grand Father honored as one of the few who kept the tradition alive and paved the way for Santa Maria BBQ to be served in restaurants. My Father, Bill Ostini is also on that Wall of Fame. He too has preserved this Santa Maria BBQ tradition for over 5 decades now (Happy Birthday Dad), but who's really counting anyway.... :) What an accomplishment!
And today, there is a new generation of Santa Maria Bar-B-Quer's serving the best of this tradition 24/7. Name an event and they are there! To find out more about how Santa Maria BBQ can best serve you, click on the links before.
The Hitching Post Restaurant
BBQ2You
The Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce

Presidential BBQ

Santa Maria BBQ goes to Washington D.C.
Back in 1981,during the era of our great President Ronald Reagan, the Reagans and his administration feasted on West Coast BBQ. That's right Santa Maria Style BBQ made it to the steps of the White House. Actually, many BBQ's took place from 1981-1988 thanks to Santa Ynez valley BBQ chef Bob Herdman and friends.
As many of you know, the Reagans lived on a ranch located in the beautiful Santa Yzen valley, and due to President Reagans good works had many fans there. One of the first BBQ's was a $1000-a-plate campaign event, prior to him being elected President of the United States. This BBQ was held right there at Rancho Cielo, the Reagans estate in Santa Yzen.
Featured in the LA Times and the Santa Maria Times on September 23, 1981 an official Central Coast BBQ took place on the East lawn of the White House. The team fed over 600 guests, all being Congressional Delegates from California and Texas. The Central Coast team shipped over 450lbs of dry-aged New York Beef Strips and the BBQ pit across country at NO expense to the tax payers. The team included 6 BBQ chefs and their wives, everyone paying their own way.
Then in March of 1982, the Reagans once again enjoyed Santa Maria BBQ,this time with Merle Haggard. Wish I could have been there to experience that. On September 3, 1982another BBQ was held for the White House Press "CORPS", not to be confused with "Corpse" at the San Marcos ranch in Santa Yzen.
September 30, 1982 they were back serving the Congress at the White House.
August 27, 1983 a BBQ was held at Fess Park Estate in Santa Barbara.
September 24, 1983 The White House
July 1,1984 The White House
And so on and so forth, I think you get the picture. They went on to do several more BBQ's for the White House. Showing that Santa Maria Style BBQ does have it's Presidential roots. The President would praise the find folks of the Central Coast for their great BBQ and their homage to tradition.
So, ya see folks, this BBQ, Santa Maria BBQ, is truly Presidential!

Make sure to visit the Central Coast and experience it first hand for yourself. Visit The Hitching Post, Jockos, The Far Western, and many other restaurants who carry on the tradition to this day. Or order this type of BBQ on line and have it shipped to you, from places like BBQ2You, or Harris Ranch.

Smoke Signals

When flying over the central coast of California, you'll know you're getting close to one of the BBQ capitals of the world, Santa Maria, when you see the smoke signals somehow signaling the plane to come hither, thus proclaiming that the Era of great BBQ is still alive and well and that a feast of Barbecued steaks is being prepared. When you finally land, you'll still be flying high from the aroma of the California Oak logs burning. Logs that have been stacked up into a huge brick-lined BBQ pit and have been burning for the last few hours. One of the secrets of achieving this unique flavor is to use slightly green oak wood.

Where did all of this, the tradition of great BBQ start you ask? Well, during the mission period, it is said that San Luis Obispo Vaqueros De Tolosa & La Purmisima Concepcion would hold round ups for their cattle once a year. There, in the valley of the Central Coast, this tradition of preparing meat over California oak came alive, and it has continued to this very day. Barbecuing is a segment of the pastoral life from early Californians. It has carried over generations into present day entertaining. At the Hitching Post Restaurants, your steak may have only been aged 21 days, but this art form has been perfected over 58 years! In fact, I think a Santa Maria style BBQ steak is calling your name, so come enjoy.

See details about our new rewards program with BBQ2You http://ping.fm/SFBzM?ref=ts Don't miss out!

Planning a Super Bowl Party? Hamburgers & Hotdogs again?? Spice things up w/BBQ2You! www.hitchingpostproducts.com

Having a Superbowl party? Check out the new Superbowl Super Pack @ www.hitchingpostproducts.com

Grilling Over Fire

Quest For Fire
The Cave Man BBQ

Cooking over a live fire has been around since the beginning of time. It’s the most natural way of cooking. Yet, in today’s fast pace lifestyle very few of us have the time to do it. We resort to microwaves, fast food, and meal bars.

Well here on the Central Coast BBQ is, well an art form. It’s where we celebrate cave man cooking. It has the LA crowd jumping in their cars and driving up the coast a couple hours to enjoy this open range, free style grilling. Of course this crowd could find any type of cuisine they wanted right in their back yard, but no, they make the journey up the coast just for the unbelievable BBQ.

This type of BBQ is authentic. It’s real. It’s gourmet cowboy cuisine. Cave Man style.

So come visit the coast

Santa Maria Inn

Explore Santa Barbara County's extraordinary number of acclaimed artistic and cultural attractions. With numerous museums, galleries, missions and a year-round selection of internationally recognized performing arts, dance, music, visual arts and theater, Santa Barbara County is a coastal cultural empire. Santa Maria is a fun-filled playground for the entire family at the foothills of the Sierra Madres, just minutes from pristine beaches, parks, mountains, golf courses and hiking trails. Santa Barbara is home to 58 wineries along 50 miles of scenic countryside that produce premiere award-winning wines.



THE MADONNA INN IS A LANDMARK

On the Central Coast of California. It expresses one couples imagination to create their dream. Using the natural materials of native stone and utilizing the workmanship of skilled artisans, the beauty and charm of the Madonna Inn became a reality.




California's Premier Guest Ranch & Resort

There are few places in the world where time seems reluctant to move forward. The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, nestled in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley and the renowned Santa Barbara County wine country, is one such rare retreat. The Alisal has been a hideaway for generations of families, couples and groups since first welcoming guests in 1946. Today, the romance and majesty of the “old west” remain in the Ranch’s wide-open spaces and unspoiled natural beauty.

Come enjoy California BBQ!!!

Escape to California's Central Coast!! Great BBQ & amazing wine...www.santamariabbq.blogspot.com

Visit The Central Coast of California!! Or just check out this blog to find out more @ www.santamariabbq.blogspot.com

To Sauce Or Not To Sauce

Barbecue Sauce

Here on the Central Coast of California, the BBQ Pit Masters have always used the Non Sauce method. If you have to use sauce, you obviously have to cover something up. It’s saying that you are not confident in your BBQ art form. Barbecuing should bring out this amazing flavor in your meat, especially your beef, if it is done correctly. Just the right amount of salt and some other seasonings can help cook the perfect steak.

Using sauce along with pork ribs or pork sausage is tasty. However it does add more sugar to your diet and is not good for diabetics. Just something to keep in mind when choosing great BBQ. And, Santa Maria BBQ is the best!

I Left My Heart In Santa Maria

Literally – it exploded from all the barbecued beef I ate, and had to be replaced. Michele and I just got back from an incredible weekend in the Santa Maria Valley. The weather was hot, but beautiful. The food was amazing, and the people we met could not have been nicer.

I'm only back in San Francisco for one day before heading down to LA for my big shoot with the creative geniuses at Brand New Entertainment. I don't have time to post them yet, but I filmed three great recipes, and took tons of pictures I can't wait to share!

We stayed at the Historic Santa Maria Inn where I filmed Chef Alex Araizaga making a very unique salmon recipe featuring a sauce using the area's famous strawberries.

We also had the great pleasure of watching Paul and Susan Righetti make a traditional Santa Maria Barbecued tri tip meal, complete with pinquito beans, grilled garlic bread, and a wonderful salsa.

Susan's family runs the venerable Far Western Tavern, one of the best known Santa Maria-style barbecue restaurants in the area, and she also sells a complete line of local artisan products on her website, Susie Q’s Brand.

Not only did we get treated to an amazing lunch, but she let me film her making the beans and salsa, and Paul will be starring in a video recipe showing the "real" way to do a Santa Maria tri tip.

It was an amazing afternoon! As if that wasn't enough, later in the evening we were able to dine at the Far Western Tavern. We had such a wonderful meal, including an unforgettable plate of barbecued sweetbreads served with cocktail sauce.

We also got to have dinner at the world famous Hitching Post, where Michele and I enjoyed one of the best steak dinners of our lives. I had a 15-oz top sirloin that was so juicy, so flavorful, and so uniquely flavored by the intoxicating scent of the red oak fire that it defies description.

I'd like to offer a very special thank you to Christopher Weir who set the trip up, and was a perfect host. Christopher works with the Santa Maria Visitors Bureau and they could not have had a better representative. When we arrived at the Santa Maria Inn there was a gift basket with local wine, fresh strawberries, and a welcome letter from the Mayor!

Like I said, when I get back from LA, I will post the videos and more photos/info from this very special trip to California's beautiful central coast. Stay tuned!

This content in it's entirety has been brought to you by Chef John from FoodWishes.

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.
This content in it's entirety has been brought to you by the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce