Hitching Post

Errrrehhhh ladies and gents! My first time going to the Hitching Post got me hooked! They have a delicious Linguista that is cooked beautifully! Their steaks will also not disappoint. I like mine a little above rare and it was amazing! The waitress and bartender Angi was professional, attentive, and very kind, couldn't have asked for a better rep! Food does come in waves (appetizer, salad, meal, dessert, hot beverage) so be prepared to pace yourself. On average a dish is around $50 but the food is well worth the price!

It really was that great. Went two times in a week to see how consistent they were, and they are, very consistent. Such great steak for the money. Ice cream flavors rotate out too!! Also the stray cat outside, I don't know what his name is, but i Nicknamed him "Scratchy" he's always by the front door ready to greet you lol.

The place is out in the middle of nowhere, where there is no cell service, which is alright because it provides an opportunity to connect with the people you dine with. I went to Hitching Post on my birthday with co-workers, and we all enjoyed our meal. Our streaks were seasoned and cooked to perfection. For a 4 course steak dinner meal, you can't beat the price and quality of the food and level of service. Reservations are highly recommended as this place can fill up quickly. Two thumbs up!

As a tourist from Austria with a deep appreciation for a good steak, I have to say: The Hitching Post absolutely nailed it. Everything about the experience was smooth and spot-on. No frills, no fuss - just excellent service and even better food. The steaks were perfectly cooked, full of flavor, and clearly high quality. You know when you take the first bite and you just know you’re in for a good evening? That was it. The staff was professional and attentive without being overbearing, and the atmosphere had just the right balance of relaxed and refined. No single over-the-top moment - just consistently great service and an obvious pride in what they do. If you’re anywhere nearby and love a proper steak, do yourself a favor and go. This place delivers exactly what you’re hoping for when you walk into a steakhouse - and then some :)

I recently dined at The Hitching Post, and I have to say, it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, but what really stood out was Chef Luis. He went above and beyond to make us feel like family, offering genuine hospitality that made the evening feel special. And then there was the steak... Hands down, the best steak I've ever had. Perfectly cooked, incredibly tender, and bursting with flavor. You could tell that Chef Luis takes great pride in his work each bite was absolutely melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The seasoning was spot on, enhancing the natural flavor of the meat without overpowering it. The service was top-notch as well attentive without being overbearing. It’s rare to find a place that combines exceptional food with such heartfelt hospitality. If you're looking for a steakhouse experience that’s not just about great food but also about feeling genuinely cared for, The Hitching Post is the place to go. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!

Went for birthday dinner, it feels like it’s in the middle of no where. This was last minute decision so had no reservations which are recommended. The place was absolutely packed yet we were able to find a parking spot. They were able to squeeze us in at the bar after a short wait which was awesome points #1. While we waited out back in their patio we brought drinks from The bar which helped pass the time. Garden is decorated cute and there are some seats. I got the sirloin and scallops which include an appetizer of veggies, shrimp cocktail and salad. After the main course, dessert and coffee or tea (awesome point 2, 3 & 4). The steak was cooked to perfection, I got medium rare. I haven’t had such a perfectly cooked steak in … at least the last 8 years. The scallops perfectly done and not chewy at all. Great flavor. (Awesome point 5, 6 & 7). Staff checks in on you periodically and takes plates as you finish. (Awesome points 8+) Overall impressed. Very happy we decided to stop in and thankful to be seated without reservation.

Everyone knows they are the best steaks, hands down. Their seafood is better than any seafood house on the central coast. The service is amazing, bar is great. Our favorite restaurant!

Spent New Year’s here! Usually the food is really good, but I think they were trying to get a lot of food out and our steaks was undercooked. It was one stage undercooked. The smoking of the vegetables and the seafood was delicious! The artichoke is always a great go to appetizer!

This place is in the middle of nowhere and somewhere. Casmalia, California. The food is all freshly cooked, of course, and the meats are all from the nearby farm . We had a big group go there of which they can service large groups in a separate room as well as small groups in the main area . The portion size is huge and you can more than share food if you want to. I had a delicious half stack of pork ribs and grilled artichoke, and they were outstanding! Our service that night was fantastic! If you want wine and dine on good beef products, this is an amazing place.

I've lived in Santa Maria about three months now and I've been to the Hitching Post three times already. The service, the steak, the experience has been outstanding every time. Plus I love watching my steak cook on the Santa Maria grill! I usually get a sirloin or something kinda fatty. Meals include salad, shrimp cocktail (minis), bread and ice cream. This family owned place is a staple in the area, Tourism Partner of the Year in 2024, and you will not be disappointed.

Service was amazing! Super friendly and kind staff! Quick with taking away finished plates and refilling drinks! It's fairly loud inside the restaurant, so if you want to have intimate date you may need to request a different spot more in the corner. Food was very tasty! I got to try a little of everyone's steak and fish. The kids steak was perfect for my youngest flavorful. My husband got the New York strip and it was juicy tender and perfectly cooked. My daughter and oldest son got the fish - the seasoning was really good and the fish was moist and flakey! How all well cooked fish should be! (However, I do not recommend the ribs if you are used to fall off the bones meat, they were a little tough... my husband's are the best, no one has beat them. Flavor was good though!)

Our food was great. Waitress didn't offer option for potatoes to have toppings. But still a better time than the first time we went. We had taken an uber there and they refused to call us a cab or give us the WiFi log in. There was no cell service out there so we had to walk way down the fields to try and get a ride. Still blown away a business does that but oh well.

We decided to drive out to this restaurant one night after getting reservations. First, don't expect to walk in and get a table without reservations. You get a tray of fresh veges and then a dinner side salad for starters. i got the ribeye with baked potato, my wife got the filet mignon with steamed veges. Mine was cooked to perfection, the wife thought her's was more done than medium rare. You get ice cream for dessert included. Price is about average for steakhouses around here. Good thing we had a gift card. Sorry, forgot to take photos of the food!

The Hitching Post is located in the small Town of Casmalia,CA, right on the Main Street, so it's easy to locate. There is parking, but normally it's all taken up. Your alternative would be finding parking on the street. The curb appeal isn't the best (the building is over 120 years old) but dear Yelp Review Readers...don't let that deter you. Once you walk into the restaurant, you'll be stepping into a large dining room with some pretty neat decor on the walls. We were taken to our seats as we entered and noticed that the restaurant was essentially full. We had reservations and would recommend making them days in advance. With an open kitchen, the cooking grill being mastered by Chef Luis and the amount of patrons, I felt prepared for a truly amazing meal...and amazing it was. Our Servers for this evening's culinary experience were both fabulous...Karli (Cocktails) and Kaylee (Food). Both of them were helpful, friendly and made us feel as if we were their "favorite repeat diners"...even though this was our initial Hitching Post experience. Truly amazing customer service...thank-you Karli and Kaylee! Our Cocktail order arrived first : White Russian (tall) w/heavy cream (5/5) and an Expresso Martini (5/5)...both of these drinks were made with a deft hand and were wonderfully delicious. Our meal began with the complimentary veggie tray, bay shrimp cocktail (3/5...not outstanding, but it came with) and small dinner salad (4/5). Shortly thereafter, our order started to arrive...Appetizers first: the "steamed then grilled" Artichoke (5/5...and complimentary from Chef Luis), the Linguisa Sausage (5/5...again complimentary from Chef Luis, who personally did a "table touch" to make sure our experience was going well). Then our Mains: 10oz.Top Sirloin (Twilight Menu) w/2x Skewered Grilled Vegetables (5/5 - the Top Sirloin "grilled to perfection"), Filet Mignon & Quail combination with Fries (5/5 - delicious), New Zealand Rack of Lamb with Skewered Grilled Vegetables (5/5 - never tasted better prepared Lamb) and Wild Harvested Scallops with Grilled Vegetables and Fries (5/5 - amazing!). Everyone in our party was truly delighted with the faire and thought they had never tasted or enjoyed better! We also all need "take away" containers for the leftovers. The Dessert: Ice Cream for everyone (3.5/5 - a little "plain" but yummy finish to a superb meal). As the "topper" to our dining experience...we enjoyed a visit to the outside landscaped Garden at the back of the restaurant. Spending a pleasant 1/2 hour viewing the Koi Pond, Water tower, Covered Wagon and more was a wonderful way to end our evening's experience. Walking back to our vehicles, we reflected with smiles on our faces how on this occasion, in all of our opinions...the Hitching Post in Casmalia truly earned this "the WOW factor is a 10" , highly recommend 5 Star review!

My husband and I have been wanting to come to this place and we finally ended up coming. It is literally literally in the middle of nowhere, but it's so worth the drive. I am so glad we came. I had the absolute best artichoke appetizer. I had filet mignon medium plus and it was great. The bartender was amazing. I had a really good michelada. Everything was beyond amazing here. I can't wait to return here and I would definitely get the artichoke.

We have a tradition to visit this amazing landmark every time we visit the Santa Ynez area. The food is 5 stars, the wine (especially the Highliner) is 5 stars and the service is always good, this last time it was great as our server "Autum" was incredibly attentive and had such a friendly attitude, even on a packed night. We love this place!

Service: there is absolutely no cell service. Plan accordingly. Location: this restaurant is located in the boonies. Plan accordingly. Food: I ordered the chicken dinner. It was 8/10. The chicken was juicy and well cooked. The reason for my score is that the waitress failed to notify me about the portions. I had too much food for a party of one. FYI- for groups of 2 and more you'll need a reservation.

We normally go for the steaks, mashed potatoes, artichoke's and margaritas. ( big glass). This Sat they had salmon and swordfish special. For over 60 years in Bay Area and San Francisco I've ordered a lot of swordfish. I've never had such a large, thick serving. Best ever. Before I go again, I'm calling to to see if it's on special.

Not much else can be said about a 70 year old restaurant that hasn't already been stated. We did enjoy our meal hear very much so. Located in the middle of nowhere on the edge of Vandenburg Space Force base sits this bustling steak house in the middle of the most beautiful cow pasture and mountains that you have ever seen. The steak does not get much fresher that this. Its almost as you can point to the Black Angus roaming the pasture and point and in 30 minutes it will be resting on your plate cooked to a perfect temp. Seriously, this is as classic of a steak house you can find and prepared in the Santa Maria Style of BBQ over well seasoned red oak fire pit. You have to appreciate this spot for its uniqueness and continuing to prepare food the way it has always been done at this joint for generations. The staff has been serving folks for decades. If you had a bad time at this joint, take a look in the mirror and smack that entitled attitude of yours right off your face. Food takes time to prepare and you just need to be patient. I had the Ribeye and it was perfectly cooked and seasoned very well. I loved the little bay shrimp cocktail that was included with the dinner. For dessert they had homemade butter pecan ice cream and you better believe it came from the cows roaming the pasture. Everything in our meal was excellent. Just a few suggestions for your visit: 1. Make a reservation 2. Arrive early 3. Enjoy the history of the restaurant 4. Your phone won't work, so enjoy your company and have a conversation 5. ENJOY!!!

Best central coast dining experience, bar none! Make a reservation or you will wait over an hour to get a table. Eating at the bar is a great option if you can get a seat.

I love steaks and ribeyes and the Hitching Post came highly recommended to me. Specifically the location in Casmalia. So reservations were made last week for tonight. I highly recommend making reservations to make sure you get in. I like how lit up and bright it is inside compared to other steak houses that are sometimes dimly lit. Every person I interacted with smiled when they talked to me and was very friendly. I haven't even ordered yet and was already having a good experience. As soon as we were seated waters were automatically brought out along with a small plate of pickled veggies followed by a cocktail waitress. The drinks came out quickly then our server came and took our order. The great thing is each dinner comes with bread, cocktail shrimp, salad, and the choice for grilled veggies, French fries, or potato plus ice cream for dessert. The food comes out in courses so it makes the time go pretty quick. I ordered the ribeye and it was cooked perfect. Nice char on the outside, delicious fatty charred bits, cooked perfectly. You can tell that the meat wasn't just pulled out of the fridge and thrown over the fire because it isn't over cooked or burnt on the outside and raw on the inside it's perfectly pink throughout. I wish I'd taken a photo of the cross section of the ribeye. Regardless it was very good. It's a little bit in the middle of nowhere but if you want a good ribeye that's cooked perfectly I highly recommend trying this location out. Again I recommend making reservations to make sure you are able to get in

Service, appearance of the food on the plate could look a million times more appealing

The steak was soo amazingly flavorful. They have the wood fire grills right in the middle of the restaurant. Nice. For being in the mountains, far from service (lol) I was amazed at how busy they were. But if you make reservations, you're all set. It was a 5 course meal with cocktail, platter, salad, meal, dessert and coffee/tea. Service was also amazing. It was nice to see all the waitresses available and helping one another. Their bathrooms were clean, roomy and homely. Worth the drive. Order a steak. You won't regret it.

Wow what a find! After a silly long drive, way off the beaten path, in the middle of what seemed like nowhere, I see a sign for "Worlds Best Steaks" in a red barn like building. I knew I'd found my destination. Yes, I was looking for this little find as it had been recommended to me prior to our trip. I was told to make reservations - else I would wait forever. Surprisingly, after doubting the thought during the long drive to this place, we had to wait about 40 minutes after our 7:00 reservation! If I wasn't warned, I'd be upset, as the bar was full, we sat at the door waiting to be seated. The building was tagged at best. Expanded on over the years and patched as repairs needed. It's a grungy place to have a really nice meal in the country. A great sign - when driving up, there were so many patrons the parking was as you could find it and not in dedicated spaces but along side the road in the ditches. Inside was packed with everyone from visiting high rollers to the cowboys from the ranches in Lompoc. Everybody was interested in having great conversations and consuming their food their was quite the buzz. Wait staff was busy bussing tables, serving drinks, bringing food, taking orders and general small talk with the patrons. Through the glass everyone could see their steaks being prepared on the wood fired grill. Servers were watching patrons as we completed each dish and were quick to scoop up our spent plates and bring the next course - they worked so well as a team it was very refreshing as they were totally swamped with customers at 8:00 on a Saturday night in August. We were a party of three and sat at a table behind a rowdy over imbibing bunch of 8 ranchers. They were well into beers and cocktails when dinner was brought to them and boy that table suddenly went silent - the food was so good and they were famished. We placed our order for a bottle of wine, and a artichoke appetizer. Then we ordered steaks and potatoes. As part of the dinner you are brought 1) a vegetable medley to share and snack on 2) individual shrimp cocktails 3) individual dinner salads 4) garlic French bread and after dinner individual bowls of ice cream. Unfortunately our artichoke appetizer was forgotten about until our steaks were brought out, so needless to say, we were getting full by this point and ended up not being able to totally consume our meals. Regardless of the shortcomings, the staff was incredible for both as busy as they were and overall friendly personalities. In general the restaurant was old and worn but it's character really added to the charm. It is unfortunate that when dining in a nice establishment like this some patrons forget their manners, over consume their alcohol, and proceed to get louder and more profane. I'm not a saint and need to remind people as I remind myself, other patrons don't want a foul mouth dining with them so if someone at your table is being loud or cursing, ask them to speak more quietly. Lastly, for the price, it was expensive but the value was great considering you really had a complete meal and the staff was amazing! My reason for dropping a star was 1) because of making a 7:00 reservation, arriving at 6:45 and waiting until nearly 7:40 to be seated and 2) forgetting my artichoke until I asked about it after my steaks arrived.

I hadn't been to the Hitching Post for years due to having moved out of the area. It was still the same. The food was amazing. The service excellent. There were 9 of us and we had great accommodations. Thank you, Hitching Post

Simply the best in the area! Little pricey but definitely worth it with everything you get and quality of food. My favorite restaurant steak!

Food service, and ambience! Not only was the food great, the servers were all fantastic. Very friendly and knew the menu very well.

The pork ribs here are the absolute best, best, best! Love the complete dinner with delicious dinner salad, shrimp cocktail, and even ice cream for dessert! I always order ribs but I've never heard complaints about the steaks. Call waaay ahead for reservations! It's in an 1800's hotel? So very rustic.

Strong pour, good food. Great server maria and crew. Delish dishes. We got two artichoke entrees, mushrooms, linguica and scallops. All terrific. Everything was well seasoned and thinking about, my tummy is getting hungry again.

This is out in BFE and thats about the only negative comment, okay your mobile phone doesn't work out there so I couldn't "check in" This place is busy and geared towards larger parties, 6 plus. Plenty of people watching but mist were focused on dinner. I drove 10 here, reservations are necessary after the drive to get here. I sat at the bar and had great service from the bartender. The menu is short and to the point how do you want your steak cooked? Sure there is a pork chop, shrimp, chicken, but nothing skimpy here. So I ordered an 8z Filet medium rare with a skewer of grilled shrimp. Baked potato with everything ( butter, sour cream & diced spring/green onions) but wait theres more...okay ya get yer placemat and flatware rolled in a cloth napkin, theres a croute that accompanies the utensils. Then a monkey dish shows up with bay shrimp and a dollop of cocktail sauce. Next is a small garden variety dinner salad and pretty quick your meal arrives. Wow. The steak was Excellent! Perfectly cooked and as tender as you'd want, very tasteful. Oh my I forgot to mention I was watching the Niner playoff game...kinda. I absolutely enjoyed the meal, old school to the point, delicious and a fair price and great value. Then of course the choice of ice cream is another option, I wen't cherry flavored with a drizzle of chocolate syrup. We were both winners tonight. I thanked the bartender with a great tip and thanked Bill the owner as I left. My folks were out about 15 minutes later and off we went. If you get a chance get out there for dinner when the family or friends come into town. Foodguy-martin

Had dinner with Family several weeks ago. First time at this location. Ambiance is Country style, deer heads on the walls, with a small bar. Wood tables that seat six people. Came at 5 pm. By six pm the place was full and quite noisy. ( Four stars, because of the noise.) So if you want a quiet ambiance, this is not the place. Ordered Grilled Artichoke and Longuisa sausage for appetizers. Had Sirloin steak, Small Filet ,Baked potatoes and small salads. Ice cream or Fruit sherbet for desert. Services was great.

Couldn't pass going up here twice in a row Easter Weekend! Their Santa Maria style cooking simply is unbeatable ! Check out how great this ribeye chop looks before I cut it up for both of us. Don't forget to ask for the shrimp cocktail....good size baked potatoes with dairy fixings! And a Salad.. Perfect size garlic bread to clean up all the leftovers! Simply the best dinner!

I felt that they had us crammed at our table I made the reservation for the correct amount of people yet the hostess made it seem like I made a mistake. I know they try to fill up the restaurant as much as possible but it's really crowded. The cocktail waitress seemed a bit unfriendly when we changed the drinks when it was wrong like she couldn't be bothered. Our waitress AJ was great fast accommodating and kind. The food is on point big portions the artichoke was delicious. One waitress offered seating outside as an option too which was nice to offer. The busboy was nice and attentive.

This is the OG! Come in and taste the flavor of the landscape from the grass fed beef and Smokey oak this charmer hasn't changed in decades- and god bless um! If it ain't broke don't fix it! They have it all, space travel memorabilia from the many astronauts who love this place, western charm and cowboy comfort food. Charm that is elevated by the steaks a wine list full of the central coast's finest. I love this place so so very much!

Wow what can I say about the hitching post. Nothing but wonderful things. We made reservations for my honey bunny's birthday. Driving there was interesting. You felt like you were going to ghost town. The place was old and rustic very charming. The service was right on. You are well taken care of from the first greet to the thank you hope to see you again. Now to the food. We had a variety of stuff and we like to share. Artichoke hearts yummy, mushrooms wow. I had rib eye steak. Asked for medium rare and it was perfect and the flavor was delectable. We had scallops my tongue was wanting more (but not my plate). The hitching post gave us a wonderful time in celebrating honey bunny's birthday. He got a dessert and they sang happy birthday to him.

What a wonderful and special place! I agree with all the hype and I definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time. We got there early for ours and we were able to wait outside in their beautiful patio. The food was delicious, I got the rib eye and it was cooked to perfection. I chose the fries as the side and they were so good. I didn't think much about the little shrimp cocktail that comes included with the entree from reviews I read, but after tasting it, it's an amazing little treat while you're waiting for the rest of your meal. We will be back! Our server Lupe was really nice, quick, and efficient.

First time eating at the Hitching Post Very impressed with everything!!! The food was amazing! The atmosphere was great! The amount of food you get with your choice is beyond words! Definitely going back soon

Food was really good, Lupe is a amazing server friendly good energy and very knowledgeable and helpful when it came to ordering food.

Came by for a friend's mother's birthday this past Monday. I decided to get the beef ribs that are only available on Mondays. I ordered the 3 beef rib dinner ($37). They also offer a 5 beef rib dinner ($44). Their dinners include a chilled tray of vegetables (pickle slices, carrot sticks, green onions,etc), crackers, small shrimp cocktail, small basic salad, garlic bread and one side dish. I chose fries as my side and asked for them to be crispy. Ribs came out timely and looked amazing. They were cooked to my desired doneness and my fries were crispy. Ribs were excellent. They were meaty, tender, and flavorful. I regretted that I didn't opt for the 5 rib dinner so I could have more to take home. Service was excellent. Didn't have to ask for a refill on my water glass. Place was very busy with many tables celebrating birthdays. Parking was full at the restaurant. We parked in the lot across the street.

Was in the local area and decided to stop here on a recommendation. Was not disappointed. Arrived just as they were opening, and they were already busy with patrons! Got a take-out order. Portions were exceptionally generous! Staff is very friendly and helpful. Will definitely return if I'm in the area.

Once again a fabulous meal in a unique setting. A classic relish dish, crackers, bowl of butter, a very small shrimp cocktail, then a tasty dinner salad with excellent blue cheese dressing. Then came the main event--the petite filet mignon, grilled to a perfect medium rare. Although it was a small steak, with the generous baked potato, garlic bread and jar of salsa, I couldn't even finish it--not the steak's fault, as the smokey seasoned meat was as delicious as ever. The restaurant now has new bathrooms and a patio, but has retained it's non-pretentious atmosphere. Several parties were celebrating birthdays, with the obligatory song. They handled a celebrity guest and his companion in a very low-key manner. Not a sports fan, we learned later the guest was a former Bulls basketball star--seated directly behind us.

Food is excellent!! We has the ribeye, like butter. We'll seasoned, very good. We also had the pork ribs. Highly recommend.

Exceptional experience. The O.G. Hitching Post is the best. Real people eat there - It's not a tourist trap. We celebrated a birthday, had a blast, efficient and friendly servers, too. We were given not only complimentary dessert, but a chance to try their artichokes complimentary. The asparagus was to die for. Steaks were perfect - great seasoning. I can't wait to return.

Went for Dinner Food - 5/5. The bay shrimps were meaty with a robust cocktail sauce. The fresh, vibrant flavors of the shrimp cocktail along with the refreshing and sour vegetable tray were a great way to start the meal. T-Bone steak was grilled to a perfect medium rare with a beautiful pink center, gorgeously rendered fat and seasoned well. Fries were golden brown and crispy with a soft center. The garlic bread had good char on them, the salad was fine, and the strawberry cheesecake ice cream was just sweet and tart enough to cleanse your palate after a great meal. Service - 4/5. Friendly, professional service. Value - 3/5. The prices are on the higher side with most entrees being in the $50 range, but that price does include appetizers and dessert. It is a bit of a landmark restaurant and could be worth a visit for that experience but regarding the food, I felt that the price and drive was not worth it. The meat quality was good but did not really justify the higher price and drive to its remote location when compared to its competitors serving Santa Maria-style barbecue. Parking - Private Lot (Free)

We made reservations and we traveled a long way to eat here as we were celebrating a birthday. We had to wait 1/2 hour to be seated. They crammed as many people as they could in to a small space. I mentioned that we had a birthday in our party upon making the reservation and when we arrived I reminded them. The birthday person got nothing extra like a song or a candle in his dessert. The food portions were very small unless you ordered the $95 steak. We will not be going back and do not recommend this place.

Want an old fashioned good old bbq? Whether you order steak, chicken or seafood this is the place that visit. Service is 5 stars and the food best on the Central Coast. Nicole was our server and let me tell she is top notch. Meals come complete with salad bread appetizer and dessert. I had the filet and it was amazing. Can't wait to visit again. Casual atmosphere and kid friendly

My wife and I went there because she got a gift card from a co worker, and she had never been there before. We were impressed with the customer service but the food was absolutely amazing.

Average food for exorbitant prices. The place smelled of smoke, and even the water was smoky:). It might be the old world charm that draws people to this place and for these prices! The dinnerware is easy below average. The service was average as well.

The drive is worth it. Food is amazing , best ribeye I have had. Slightly over cooked but didn't mind it was very flavorful! We also got the quail for an appetizer , deliscious! Staff was extremely friendly and checked in on us.It is slightly crowded but very clean and cool.

Went with a large party for the first time. Historic establishment and a soup-to-nuts offering that includes salad, veggie tray, and dessert with a baked potato. Having been to Jocko's with a similar offering I wondered who copied who, though it appears the Hitching Post was established in 1952, a few years before Jocko's, but who knows which started the everything-included meals. Maybe that was the style back in the day and it's just been preserved. I've had this restaurant on my food bucket list ever since relocating to the Central Coast. Seemingly in the middle of nowhere, my wife and I parked on the side of the road and fed flowers to the cows across the street. Country atmosphere, country folk, country feel, it's the kind of place the big cities often try to but can never replicate. Truly awesome. Unfortunately my meat (NY Strip) was excellent with one major exception: a total lack of seasoning. No salt, no pepper, nothing but the meat that was cooked over wood so it had a pleasant and light smoke flavor. But zero seasoning. I took 1/2 of it home and seasoned it, and verified the meat quality was outstanding. Maybe the kitchen was off that day, I'll return and see if I can get a seasoned steak next time.

Best steak ever. Everything about this place is awesome. The service, the food and the price. The amount of food you get is perfect, there is no going home hungry. I also loved not having cell service so we had to leave our phones alone.

The service was above Five Stars.! Guillerm deserves 10 stars he was so friendly and explained everything to detail. The Busser was amazing as well. My friend and I shared the Ribeye and Lobster . It was delicious and we also got our own salad shrimp cocktail and dessert for only $18.00. The decor was different very unique. Definitely coming back.!!!

What happened to the old Hitching Post? This has always been an expensive $$$$ place to eat, and on occasion the best place to enjoy oak fired BBQ. Our recent trip, 5 people, $460 w/tip, was not even close in quality to past trips to this restaurant. Rib Eye is always the best here @ $56 per plate. Swordfish was a bit dry and looked previously frozen. Artichokes - though $16@ ! - were great, as usual. My wife always loves their 7oz Sirloin @ $37 Hey - It's pricey to come here! We knew that, but our friends from Maine wanted a good BBQ experience. Here's my problem - waiters seemed to not even care what you wanted, seemed rushed and constantly looking over their shoulder at other tables while we were trying to ask questions about the entrees. Salad was obviously out of a bag with a plop of ranch thrown on top - no extras at all - by that I mean tomatoes, carrot slices, cucumber, etc. - just some iceberg lettuce with a plop of Ranch on top. Don't these prices call for a better salad? Rare meat choice wasn't really rare, more like medium - kind of sad considering the price of the cuts. Always so loud you can't speak with your guests - but it's a small place. We knew that, but always have hoped for quieter. Costco sells certificates at a discount - a good thing.

Swordfish is the best ever. Steaks and baked potatoes oh so good Can't beat the service. They turn their tables quickly but you don't feel rushed. Ambiance,,,poor acoustics making it noisy. Lots of fun for friends and relatives however a little too noisy for a business meeting,

Servive could of been better. Was not told about specials until after we ordered, when we over heard it given to another guest. Ribs were dry and tuff. Filet mignon was cooked to pufection. Overall experience was not as good as last year. Think we will try another steakhouse.

Love the food, can taste flavor from the red oak wood fire pit on all the meat. Everything seasoned and prepared correctly. Nice to go into a meat restaurant, order a certain temp and actually get it prepared correctly! If you go when they open at 4pm, you can order from the "twilight" menu, a discounted price of full size meal. The prices no matter what are good considering your entree comes with drink, app, meal, and dessert. Service is good, plenty of staff helping each other. The restaurant inside is outdated, but it's original to the small town so it works for them. Make sure you go to the backyard of the restaurant by the bathroom hallway. Cut coi fish pond, bridge, and relaxing area. Would recommend, I prefer this hitching post vs buellton location.

Visiting friends in Los Olivos and they took us here for some nice steaks. Old school steakhouse serving up great steaks with all the fixins. Started with the grilled artichokes. Excellent. We had Filets, T-Bones, and Sirloins. Baked potatoes, shrimp cocktails, salads and garlic bread. Ice cream finished off the meals. A must go to when in Wine Country.