Reviews - Hitching Post

5 all the way. The evening began with our party being seated mere feet away from the main grill behind glass. From there, for the first 3 of 5 courses, we were... read more 5 all the way. The evening began with our party being seated mere feet away from the main grill behind glass. From there, for the first 3 of 5 courses, we were mezmerised watching the meat magicians perform their magic. You could tell this was a crew that knew exactly what they were doing. It was a dance of precision and speed that sent ribeye after filet after shrimp skewer into eager hands and mouths. Our first course, a bay shrimp cocktail, was served with an unexpectedly sweet cocktail sauce. The second and third courses were a salad and fresh veggie tray. Presentations were more casual than expected but the quality was top tier. The main course arrived and now the show was too in your mouth to watch the red flames popping off of the red oak anymore. I had a large beautifully marbled ribeye that filled my mouth with a smooth smokey umami flavor unique to this location. Crispy fries and grilled garlic bread nicely rounded out the carbohydrates for the evening. Even the ranch dressing, of which I am rather particular, was a creamy and flavorful house made variety. The final course, dessert, was a choice of three frozen delights, of which I chose the raspberry sorbet. It was the perfect sweet, light, and smooth finish to what was a very filling meal. The staff was attentive and worked well as a team. As satisfying as the experience was, I remain confused as to how this out of the way restaurant, that provides such an amazing experience, has not relocated and expanded into a higher traffic area. Perhaps they are just content to create on the culinary canvas they currently have.

Came to Santa Maria for a work trip. Heard about the Hitching Post so we decided to give it a try. I recommend getting reservations as they were quite busy on a... read more Came to Santa Maria for a work trip. Heard about the Hitching Post so we decided to give it a try. I recommend getting reservations as they were quite busy on a Monday night. The hostess squeezed the 2 of us in and we got sat right next to the pit baroque. Food was great and we enjoyed watching the grill be tended. It was a great experience and I highly recommend!

Terrific steak house with pit fire grill. I had the baby back ribs. Do go expecting meat drowned in sauce. The meat here is perfectly seasoned steaks, pork, and... read more Terrific steak house with pit fire grill. I had the baby back ribs. Do go expecting meat drowned in sauce. The meat here is perfectly seasoned steaks, pork, and seafood cooked over an open fire pit that gives the meat smokey deliciousness. I would call it California BBQ, if anything, but certainly not the same as Texas, Memphis, or other Midwestern style. You choose the meat, and the rest of the 5 course meals are included, such as salad, shrimp cocktail, ice cream, and more. The appetizers, extra cost, are all good especially California favorites of asparagus or (not to be missed! a grilled artichoke.

Dont go to this place if you arent hungry! The appetizers were as big as, and as delicious, as the steaks! Great service, unreel food and a great find! read more Dont go to this place if you arent hungry! The appetizers were as big as, and as delicious, as the steaks! Great service, unreel food and a great find!

The Hitching Post in Kasmelia is a hidden gem for steak enthusiasts. Every visit is a culinary journey of satisfaction. The Hitching Post Pinot perfectly comple... read more The Hitching Post in Kasmelia is a hidden gem for steak enthusiasts. Every visit is a culinary journey of satisfaction. The Hitching Post Pinot perfectly complements the charming atmosphere. My go-to, the New York Strip, never fails to impress. Consistency is key here, and if you're contemplating a visit, I can't recommend it enough. A small steakhouse with a big taste adventure!

I dined at this restaurant a year ago and had a wonderful experience. This year was almost on par, although the bartender appeared to be experiencing some diffi... read more I dined at this restaurant a year ago and had a wonderful experience. This year was almost on par, although the bartender appeared to be experiencing some difficulties. Everything else was great, especially the steak, which was just as fantastic as I remembered! Any of the Hitching Post red wines complement it perfectly. I chose the 12oz ribeye this time. While I had a baked potato during my last visit, I went for fries this time, and both are excellent options. I also sampled the quail appetizer, which was delightful. The pinot noir I enjoyed tonight had a beautiful finish.

I was not particularly impressed with the food or the ambiance, although the staff was truly exceptional. It's crucial to make a reservation in advance. The foo... read more I was not particularly impressed with the food or the ambiance, although the staff was truly exceptional. It's crucial to make a reservation in advance. The food itself was average at best. I ordered a filet with a baked potato, while my husband opted for the ribeye with vegetables. I asked for my steak to be cooked medium, but it arrived medium rare, necessitating a return to the kitchen. My husband requested his steak medium well, but it ended up being well done. We both ordered Moscow mules, which were merely okay. For dessert, we tried the malted chocolate ice cream, but it didn’t stand out. The restaurant is situated in a rather remote location, and I’m not sure the drive is worth it. However, I can’t say enough positive things about the staff.

The Hitching Post is one of my favorite restaurants in California. The drive there takes you through beautiful farmlands and cattle ranches, making the trip to... read more The Hitching Post is one of my favorite restaurants in California. The drive there takes you through beautiful farmlands and cattle ranches, making the trip to Casmalia feel like a journey back in time. The Hitching Post is the heart of this charming old western town. Located in a historic tavern, it has been serving delicious Santa Maria-style steaks for 65 years. Each meal is carefully crafted, allowing you to select your choice of meat, complemented by a veggie tray, shrimp cocktail, salad, baked potato or fries, garlic toast, a drink, and dessert. The standout feature is the red oak grilled meat—I chose an 8 oz. filet, and it was exceptional. Don’t miss the opportunity to create lasting memories at this wonderful restaurant!

I'm a huge fan of steaks and ribeyes, and I've heard great things about the Hitching Post, particularly the location in Casmalia. So, I went ahead and made a re... read more I'm a huge fan of steaks and ribeyes, and I've heard great things about the Hitching Post, particularly the location in Casmalia. So, I went ahead and made a reservation last week.

The atmosphere was lively and vibrant. The scallop appetizer was outstanding. The NY strip steak was quite good, although at $70, it certainly should be. The fr... read more The atmosphere was lively and vibrant. The scallop appetizer was outstanding. The NY strip steak was quite good, although at $70, it certainly should be. The fries were average, and the baked...

Wow, what a find! After a long drive away from the typical paths, in what seemed like the middle of nowhere, I stumbled upon a sign for the World's Best Steaks... read more Wow, what a find! After a long drive away from the typical paths, in what seemed like the middle of nowhere, I stumbled upon a sign for the World's Best Steaks in a...

I just got back from my trip to the California coast, and I had the best BBQ ever at the Hitching Post Restaurant! The steak was outstanding, and the flavors fr... read more I just got back from my trip to the California coast, and I had the best BBQ ever at the Hitching Post Restaurant! The steak was outstanding, and the flavors from the coast are truly unique. I heard they are now shipping their BBQ across the U.S. through BBQ2YOU—I'm really looking forward to trying it! I also watched the movie *Sideways*, and the restaurant's name sounded familiar.

I'm really glad I found your review, Bobby. I recently returned to the Hitching Post after not going for years, and it was wonderful to be back. The same family... read more I'm really glad I found your review, Bobby. I recently returned to the Hitching Post after not going for years, and it was wonderful to be back. The same family still manages the restaurant, and the steaks are just as amazing as I remembered. I'm also thrilled to hear about her new venture—I plan to place an order from it this month! I'll include the restaurant's website as well. I've been thinking about this place for quite a while, but if I hadn't read your review, I probably wouldn't have gone back. Thank you!

The Hitching Post is one of my favorite restaurants in all of California. It begins with a beautiful drive through farmlands and cattle ranches. Driving in to C... read more The Hitching Post is one of my favorite restaurants in all of California. It begins with a beautiful drive through farmlands and cattle ranches. Driving in to Casmalia is like going back in time and The Hitching Post is the lifeblood of this classic western town. The restaurant is in an old tavern and has been serving delicious steaks the Santa Maria style for 65 years. Every meal is complete in every way. You choose your meat and then it?s a veggie tray, shrimp cocktail, salad, baked potato or fries, garlic toast, drink, and dessert! But it is the red oak grilled meat (I got an 8 oz. filet) that steals the show. Don?t miss the opportunity to creat some memories here.

The best steaks in the central coast. Old school mesquite grilled to perfection. Each meal comes with a relish plate shrimp cocktail salad a dessert and coffee.... read more The best steaks in the central coast. Old school mesquite grilled to perfection. Each meal comes with a relish plate shrimp cocktail salad a dessert and coffee. Best in the West!

Place is in the middle of nowhere, but it was HOPPING! We should've got reservations, but the wait was not awful and it gave us a chance to look at the lovely b... read more Place is in the middle of nowhere, but it was HOPPING! We should've got reservations, but the wait was not awful and it gave us a chance to look at the lovely back patio and look pond. Got a Summer Mule as a drink and it was amazing. Absolut peach, strawberry puree, lime, and ginger beer. We were told this place had outstanding tri-tip, but learned upon arriving that they didn't do that. Once again, that's on us for not checking ahead of time. The table had fresh veggies and pickles on it when we were seated, plus a bowl of sour cream, a bowl of butter, a jar of salsa, and a basket of crackers. The first course was shrimp cocktail, and they piled in a generous helping of popcorn-size shrimp in another bowl with cocktail sauce. Not very presentable, but delicious nonetheless! The salad was edible, but nothing mind-blowing. Medium rare t-bone? Perfection! Medium well top sirloin? Despite my opinion being that medium well is overdone, it was 10/10. Garlic bread? Oooooh yeah, baby! Toasted on one side and soft on the other, it had everyone clamoring for more. But the ribs... oof. If I were rating on flavor alone, they get another 10/10. Unfortunately they were dry as Death Valley and tougher than shoe leather. I still ate half of them because they were a great spoon substitute for the BBQ sauce, but world's best barbecue? Sorry guys, your steaks are world class, but your barbecue needs to go back to the drawing board.

I wasn't impressed with the food or the atmosphere, but the staff was wonderful. Be sure to make a reservation. The food itself was just mediocre. I had the fil... read more I wasn't impressed with the food or the atmosphere, but the staff was wonderful. Be sure to make a reservation. The food itself was just mediocre. I had the filet with a baked potato, while my husband chose the ribeye with vegetables. I ordered my steak medium, but it came out medium rare, so I had to send it back. My husband asked for his steak medium well, and it turned out well done. We both had Moscow mules to drink, which were okay. For dessert, we tried the malted chocolate ice cream, but it wasn't anything special. The location is quite remote, making it not worth the drive. However, I have to emphasize that the staff was excellent.

This is the best filet mignon I've ever had! It was cooked to perfection and came with deliciously crisp grilled vegetables. The meal also included a salad and... read more This is the best filet mignon I've ever had! It was cooked to perfection and came with deliciously crisp grilled vegetables. The meal also included a salad and ice cream. Even though the location feels remote, the restaurant was bustling with patrons, so be sure to make a reservation. It took us half an hour to get there, but it was absolutely worth it!