The Hitching Post II in Buellton, California

Here, on the Central Coast of California, BBQ has always meant grilling over an open fire of red oak, a style of cooking that is native to our area and goes back to the days of the Spanish Rancheros.

Sideways. A film by Alexander Payne

Two friends, Miles and Jack (Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church) who set out to spend a weekend together before Jack's wedding. Along the way Maya (Virginia Madsen) and Stephanie (Sandra Oh) come into their lives.

And it just so happens that Maya is a waitress right here at the Hitching Post.

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The Buellton Hitching Post II was established in 1986, but our roots started at the Casmalia Hitching Post in 1952. It was there, at our now sister restaurant, that Frank & Natalie Ostini brought "Santa Maria Style BBQ" to its peak of perfection and where children Bill, Bob, Terri & Annette continue to this day.

Here at the Hitching Post II in Buellton, we honor that tradition and also embrace the contemporary cooking styles.

By combining the old and the new, we have created an exciting cuisine that is uniquely our own. Along with our outstanding steaks, ribs and chicken, we also serve items such as smoked duck breast, ostrich, home-made soups and outstanding pastries; along with what the Los Angeles Times has called the "best" French Fries in Southern California!

We are also one of a very few restaurants creating our own (world class) wines for sale in the restaurant and to the public. Hartley Ostini Hitching Post Wines have garnered an excellent reputation. Try them here or at home World's Best BBQ

Have a hankering for HP cuisine and can't get here? If you live within a hundred miles or so, you can call on us. We'll bring our famous grills, ingredients and food and we'll cater your event.

The Los Angeles Times, creating a Food Lovers Feast list of restaurants included The Hitching Post II as one of "75 sublime reasons to dine out." The Times has also named our specially made French Fries the best in Southern California!

Watch a 90 second movie about us! It uses the free Quicktime viewer and can be viewed in large format (11 megabytes) or small format (3 megabytes).

We take great pride in the fact that so many customers, from near and far, keep coming back to dine with us. The Hitching Post, a family tradition in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley and beyond!