To watch the movie “Sideways,” it sure seems like The Hitching Post offers the Central Coast’s definite Santa Maria-style barbecue. While it’s good, my favorite spot in the genre is Far Western Tavern in Guadalupe, a town “where the pavement ends and the West begins.”

Rancher Clarence Minetti opened this Central Coast classic in February 1959 with wife Rosalie, her cousin Richard Maretti and his wife Betty Jean. They own a cattle ranch in nearby Punta Sal. Executive Chef Barbara Abernethy continues to administer the Minetti family’s vision, which is draped in cow hides.

If you’re looking for a more casual dining experience, sit in the saloon, which features a massive ranchland mural.

No matter the room, walls are lined with mounted animal heads, including a trio of deer. That’s an eleven-point buck in the middle.

The dining room features blue carpets with a floral pattern and curtains crafted from cow hides. The walls alternate between mahogany and red wallpaper with an astral pattern. Of course there are more animal heads on the dining room wall, including this steer. The University of Texas mascot, Bevo, might feel inadequate after seeing these horns.

Far Western Tavern specializes in four different cuts of steak, plus red oak-grilled sweetbreads, pork chops, baby back ribs and more. Our Bull’s Eye Steak ($25) was a 14-ounce rib eye, served boneless. After 3 PM, the restaurant grills the meats over red oak, which imparts an intoxicating aroma and a delicious smokiness. Our choice of side was grilled polenta, moistened with olive oil and seasoned with Susie Q salt, made by Susan Righetti, an ancestor of Far Western Tavern’s founders. Note the plates, which are ringed with cattle brands.

The juicy ribeye hosted a smoky, peppery char and had a buttery texture at the core, which was cooked just how we ordered it: medium rare.

Regardless of what you order for dinner, your meal includes a relish tray loaded with carrots, scallions, black olives, pickles and pickled peppers. An accompanying cup of chunky salsa is crafted from tomatoes, Ortega chilies, garlic, onion and a dash of Tabasco.

We also received a cup of pinquito beans, tiny beans similar to pinto beans that tasted smoky and held up to the meat. Again, Susie Q seasoning factored into the recipe.

Route 101 provides easy access to a number of prominent Santa Maria-style barbecue establishments, including The Hitching Post, Jocko’s and Shaw’s, but it’s worth the added mileage along Route 166 to reach Far Western Tavern.

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1. Thomas, January 9, 2010:

   Thank you for coming in and enjoying dinner. I am pleased that you enjoyed yourself feel free to let me know when you come in next….
   Thomas Warner
   General Manager
   Far Western Tavern

This entry is filed under California, Southern California, Steakhouse.