Hitching Post II

On the central coast of California, BBQ has always meant grilling over an open fire of red oak, a style of cooking that is native to the area and goes back to the days of the Spanish Rancheros. About 30 miles north of Santa Barbara, The Hitching Post 2 blends traditional Santa Maria Barbecue with eclectic local ingredients and award winning wines for an exciting cuisine that is uniquely its own.
Frank Ostini Senior

The Buellton Hitching Post 2 opened in 1986, but its roots started at the Casmalia Hitching Post in 1952. It was there that Frank & Natalie Ostini brought “Santa Maria Style BBQ” to its peak of perfection and where their children Bill, Bob, Terri and Annette continue to work to this day. When returning from college in 1976, Frank Sr. and Natalie’s son Frank Ostini helped out in the kitchen for what he thought would be a short stint. Today the younger Frank is the owner of his own restaurant, The Hitching Post 2, and is also – along with partner Gray Hartley – co-owner and winemaker of the Hitching Post Winery.