FRom the wagon

Santa Maria California Style Cooking

What is Santa Maria Style Barbecue?

Santa Maria style barbecue tradition began in the 1800’s when the Portugese came to California, which was still part of Mexico. A region ripe with cattle, Mexican ranchers known as “vaqueros” were the gatekeepers to the supply of beef. The vaqueros would throw huge barbecues for the community a few times each year, bringing everyone together for a feast. A few cows would be chosen to be butchered and all the cuts would be cooked over a large pit dug in the ground. They later developed a metal insert and built it in a wagon (as pictured). The meats would be seasoned with a simple rub and whole logs of red oak thrown into the fire, letting the wood burn beneath the meat for hours.

Style of Cooking…

In Santa Maria, meat is cooked directly over fire in an open pit grill. A cooking grate is used to lower or raise the meat in order to control the temperature throughout the cooking process via a crank and pulley system.

Red oak wood, a local wood to the Central Valley of California, is deemed the King of Oak Wood. The wood burns strong, but the smoke doesn’t overpower the taste and texture of the meat.

A typical Santa Maria dry rub consists of salt, pepper and garlic. The idea is to focus more on bringing out the natural flavor of the barbecue.

On the Menu…

Tri-Tip: red oak-smoked and dry rubbed. It is cut both thin or thick against the grain and served medium rare.

Whole Chicken: red oak-smoked and dry rubbed. Served split.

Garlic Bread: Garlic butter on French bread toasted over a wood fired pit.

Cornbread: Made in house with whole corn.

Corn on the Cob: Boiled and tossed with butter and grated parmesan cheese.

Roasted potatoes: Chopped red potatoes tossed with tricolor bell peppers and red onion.

Lentils: Our spin on a Santa Maria Style classic. Served with diced red onion and bay leaves..

Salsa: Santa Maria-style barbecue doesn’t use barbecue sauce. Instead, the meat is served with salsa.

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Family Style Meals…

Now serving Family Style Meals From the Wagon right in front of the restaurant every Saturday (weather permitting). Meals serve a family of 4 with a choice of Whole Chicken or Tri Tip, 2 sides and choice of garlic bread or cornbread.

Catering…

​Let us cater your event! Email us at donmigueljuicery@gmail.com for more information