Things to do on the Central Coast: Santa Maria Style BBQ

Santa Maria Style BBQ is considered by many to be the best BBQ in the world! Take a stroll down Broadway and you're likely to find many a BBQ stand ready to deal out the delicious Tri Tip we're famous for.

If you got yourself a BBQ pit, call the guys over, slam some steaks over the grill and throw back a few brewskies while the aroma of Santa Maria Style Tri Tip fills the yard.

This is a great idea for one of those nights when you just want to relax and chill with the friends a little.

Instructions:

So first things first, buy yourself some Tri tip. Now the butcher usually tries to trick you by leaving about an inch of fat on the bottom where you can't see it in the packaging. Not only is tri tip usually cooked with all the fat cut off, this also adds to the weight and makes it cost more, so ask to have it cut off.

Next you need some Santa Maria Style Seasoning or Susie Cue as we Santa Marians call it. If you can't find it, just make yourself up a concoction of equal parts salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and fine parsely.

Now slather it all over the Tri tip. I don't mean sprinkle, slather it. It should almost look like someone through it in the dirt when you get done with it.

Lastly, BBQ the Tri tip over a pit ( this is IMPORTANT ) of Red Oak. That's the true secret. Its going to take about 30 mins to cook so sit back, drain a few brewskies and let the good times roll. If you have a temperature guage, 130-135 F is usually medium well and 140 F being Well done.

Now here's the best part. Don't worry about screwing up (I don't know how you would do that but I digress ) or experimenting for that matter. Is almost IMPOSSIBLE to cook a bad Tri tip. Sometimes I like to spray on a little Teriyaki/Soy sauce while its cooking to give it a little kick.