California Central Coast/Santa Maria

If you're willing to adventure just a tad north of San Luis Obispo, it will be well worth your time to try McPhee's Grill in Templeton. Incredible food! Casual dining, great decor and a copper ceiling. It's on main street across from the grainery. (tall smokestacks, you can't miss) In my opinion, it's the best secret in San Luis Obispo county.

If you can't get there, try Cafe Roma (great italian) in San Luis Obispo.

Gump

KINDLY wrote in message ...
>I'll be visting Santa Maria and would appreciate any
>recommendations from San Luis Obispo to Buellton.
>(I know about Split Pea Soup Anderson's.) Thanks in
>advance for your help.

KINDLY wrote:
>
> I'll be visting Santa Maria and would appreciate any
> recommendations from San Luis Obispo to Buellton.
> (I know about Split Pea Soup Anderson's.) Thanks in
> advance for your help.

One thing that is fairly different is "Santa Maria Style" (heavily oak-flavored) BBQ.  I've recently been to The Far Western Tavern in Guadalupe (about 5 mi. West of Santa Maria), and it was enjoyable (though I don't know if I'm going to hurry back).  It's kindof a rustic country-style place, large quantities of reasonably priced food (for $15 you get a steak, potato, soup, salad, a condiments tray, (packaged) breadsticks and a small bay shrimp salad.  Lots of people think that Santa Maria Style BBQ is the best around, but I'm not a big fan of it.  There are a couple of other well-known places in Santa Maria, but I've forgotten their names (maybe Jocko's?).

Mike

KINDLY wrote:
>
> I'll be visting Santa Maria and would appreciate any
> recommendations from San Luis Obispo to Buellton.
> (I know about Split Pea Soup Anderson's.) Thanks in
> advance for your help.

I like the Hitching Post in Buellton.  There is another one in Casmalia but I haven't eaten at that one.  Casmalia and Buellton are the only two.  They are supposed to be a little different from each other.  This is a place that serves Santa Maria style barbecue.  The primary thing to eat there is steak.  The grilled artichoke appetizer is fabulous.  They have wine bottled under their name.  If I recall correctly, they grow the grapes and the wine is made by the people at Au Bon Climat.  I haven't had their wine before but I understand it is good.  The addresses for the two restaurants are

406 E. Highway 246
Buellton
805-688-0676

3325 Point Sal Road
Casmalia
805-937-6151

Some people also like Chef Rick's Ultimately Fine Foods in Santa Maria. I am not wild about the food there but you might look into it and see if you like it.

Kay