This place has been a family spot for us for almost 20 years. We'll sometimes go a year or two without visiting, but we always end up coming back eventually. Watching them cook the meat over the wood fire is still one of the coolest parts of the experience. The smell hits you immediately when you walk in. I also recently found out they do burger specials on certain weekdays and honestly it was one of the best burgers I've had in a long time. Just one of those places that's always been around for us and probably always will be. I'll definitely keep coming back. read more

The Hitching Post 2 - Burger Special - Steakhouses Near Me - Buellton, California

Stopped by Hitching Post for lunch and was seriously impressed. The burgers were great, juicy, flavorful, and cooked just right. You can tell they don't cut corners. But honestly, the best option of all? Mexican Cokes on the menu to go with that great burger and fries! There's just something about that real sugar in a glass bottle that takes the whole meal up a notch. Simple, satisfying, and definitely worth the stop. I'll be back! The staff was exceptional and friendly! read more

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I wanted to love this place given the reputation, but it honestly felt overrated. We had a reservation but still ended up waiting 15 minutes just to be seated, which makes you wonder what the point of booking ahead is. Once the food arrived, the seasoning was just too much-everything felt over-seasoned to the point where it masked the actual flavor of the meat. The strangest part, though, was the "veggie tray." I didn't really understand getting a whole raw green onion as part of the spread. read more

The Hitching Post 2 - Steakhouses Near Me - Buellton, California

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Delicious steak and great service! I've been here twice now and be forewarned if you're coming on a weekend and don't have a reservation you're going to have to wait a bit. Great wine selection and a good, to-the-point menu, but of course you have to get the steak! The first time here, we sat right in the two bar seats that they sit at in the movie Sideways, and the second time we were lucky enough to snag a table right near the window where you can see them cooking the steaks. The artichoke app is also simple and delicious. Can't go wrong here for a meal while in town wine tasting and enjoying the ambiance! read more

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Drove to Solvang from LA. Not really impressed by this place. Food is good but honestly overpriced Service at the bar is great but at tables the service lacked. Menu says meals come with a side of raw veggies yet nobody at our table got any even though we ordered large meals. Hostess/Seating staff were also not too happy nor nice on this Friday evening. They said there were no tables of 6 or of 2 yet there were ppl being seated in 2s & 6s Ambiance is just ok. Nothing special at all. read more

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So great to finally come here for dinner as seen in the movie sideways. The food was incredible! Best steak I've had in a while. Morgan our server was very pleasant and attentive! The wine flight was fantastic!! Grilled artichoke was perfect! read more

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Heard of this place from a show named Wine O! We were planning on coming to Solvang for Julefest so decided to try it out. The parking lot is massive and seems appropriate for the room inside. The inside reminds me of an old time steakhouse. Like a Cattlemen's for us in Northern California. We were seat quickly and the service was prompt. Trust me we did not leave hungry. Grilled artichoke, pork chops, ribeye steak, fries and baked potato. The meats were cooked to perfection. The pork chops had amazing flavor possibly my favorite. Do yourself a favor and if you like artichokes get the grilled one. The magic dust they season it with is fantastic. Definitely a place to get dinner when visiting the Solvang area. read more

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This experience was just whatever. We normally always have an amazing time whenever we're here. This particular visit, we were showing friends around the area and stopped off for happy hour. Which we thought they had.... It was quite busy in the bar area but we were able to find a little spot in the corner with a high table and seats available. We wanted the bar area but were told that we needed to check in and put our name down. Well, we then checked in and put it down incase an opening arise. Asked about the happy hour which we were then told that they didn't have any. Odd when you pulled it up online it said that they offered it. We even showed the bartender which he was surprise to see. Then we asked about their burger deal which it was also online but found out it was only on a Monday. Whoever was in charge of their website needs to update it. Even the bartender was surprised to see it. Anyways, we ended up just grabbing some drinks. It didn't table long to arrive which was nice. By the way, with the seating at the bar. We did noticed that some did open up but people who walked in just seated themselves. Not sure why we had to put our name down as it seemed like it was open seating. Anyways, I've alway love this place for a meal. Both inside the restaurant or having a meal along the bar area. But this visit was just whatever. It's a good thing it was only for drinks. Experience may have been different if it was for dinner. Overall, I do like their menu. It's a staples in Buellton/Solvang that's a favorite among people. It does get packed so reservations highly recommend. Even the bar area, it was pretty busy during the non existent happy hour. Bartender was nice which is always a good thing. read more

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What a great nostalgic place this is! I only went because I seen this resturant in a movie " Sideways" but dont get it twisted this place has great food!! The BBQ ribs are amazing!! No sauce needed straight up delicious Amazing staff and service with great drinks! This place gets packed, so make a reservation. Great Movie also check it out!!! read more

The Hitching Post 2 - Steakhouses Near Me - Buellton, California

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Be careful when you order an older wine here. I ordered a glass of port, which was a 3-ounce pour for $19. At least one ounce of this was sediment. I am very familiar with older ports, and they do have a lot of sediment. However, you are supposed to pour it through a filter before serving it to your guests so that nobody has to chew their wine. After only a few sips, there was so much sediment I could barely drink it. They must have given me the last of the bottle, with all the dregs. When I asked the waitress about it, she told me sediment is normal in this port, and she brought me a coffee filter. I do not appreciate paying full price for a partial serving. The chanterelle mushroom appetizer was tasty, as was the duck breast. However, the rest of the food was nothing exceptional. The ribs were fine, but the meat was difficult to remove from the bone. The skin on the baked potatoes was not crispy at all. The meal would have been ok although not memorable, but the $19 glass of sediment heavily tipped the scales towards a disappointing dinner. We will not be coming back. read more

The Hitching Post 2 - Chanterelle appetizer - Steakhouses Near Me - Buellton, California

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I dined at the bar this last weekend, Sunday night. I had a pleasant meal. I started off with a fabulous Caprese salad special. Unlike most experiences when ordering this item, this restaurant did not skimp on the mozzarella or the balsamic vinegar. This was perfectly portioned and seasoned and fresh! It was oh so delicious! I then had the 8oz. filet Mignon with a baked potato. Once I prepared the potato with provided butter, sour cream, chives and seasoned with salt and pepper, it was delicious! The filet was good, a bit undercooked from requested medium. It also was not particularly well trimmed, having several strands of fat. I enjoyed the classic chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Wine selection is largely localized. I enjoyed a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon I was not familiar with. Service was attentive and friendly. I returned the next evening with my wife. We enjoyed dinner here Monday night this last week. I had to try their infamous burger special and my wife was eager to have their Caprese salad special. We were not disappointed. I had my burger with cheese and bacon, of course! The French fries were phenomenal! They emerged as the highlight of an excellent meal. They were so perfectly cooked, crispy, hot, properly seasoned scrumptious delight! We almost ordered an extra side of fries, yet we were already getting full. I enjoyed a delicious glass of their Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blend. Service was excellent, friendly, and attentive. Pleasant, simple dining room atmosphere. read more

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I am surprised HP2 does not have it's own listing. For lunch, you don't dine in the original Hitching Post 2 building. Separated by a parking lot, HP2 is the casual, smaller menu patio seating experience for lunch. It is dog-friendly and relaxing. The service was friendly and not pretentious. I had the burger and it was amazing. They have a gluten-free bun option, just ask, which is great for those with diet restrictions on gluten. read more

The Hitching Post 2 - HP2 for Lunch - Steakhouses Near Me - Buellton, California

5 Stars - Worth the Wait, and Then Some I've been wanting to try The Hitching Post ever since I saw it featured in Sideways, and after finally making the stop, I can say--it absolutely lived up to the hype. On our way home from a family vacation in San Francisco, I purposely took the scenic 101 route south, planning stops at UC Santa Cruz, Morro Bay (overnight), Cal Poly SLO, and finally lunch in the Buellton/Solvang area. We arrived at The Hitching Post early afternoon on a Wednesday--too early for the main restaurant (which opens later for dinner), but luckily their wine shop next door was open for lunch. And what a great find that was! The wine shop had a cozy, rustic charm with shaded outdoor seating and a beautiful view of the Santa Ynez hills--and even an ostrich ranch next door. The atmosphere was relaxed, and everyone seemed to be enjoying their meals with a glass of wine in hand. It's one of those places where you can instantly feel the good energy. The lunch menu is well-curated, priced around $16-$30, with a nice variety of daily specials. My daughter and I both ordered the steak sandwich, my wife went for the steak salad, and my son had the pulled pork tacos. We added a couple of sides of fries to share. Let me just say--this was one of the best steak sandwiches I've ever had. Perfectly tender, thin-sliced tri-tip, caramelized onions, all served on a grilled brioche roll. Every bite melted in my mouth. I literally tried to eat it slowly just to savor it longer. My wife's salad was equally impressive: simple, fresh, and flavorful--thin-sliced tri-tip on crisp iceberg and greens, blue cheese crumbles, and sliced green tomatoes. As for my son... he's 12, didn't say much, but he polished off his pulled pork tacos without pause, which says it all. The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, and the overall vibe was just one of people genuinely enjoying good food, wine, and the California sun. I'm already planning a return trip to try the full dinner menu in the main restaurant. But if you're in or passing through Buellton or Solvang, do yourself a favor--eat here. You won't regret it. read more

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Almost 2 stars, because I was expecting a lot more based on reputation, but it wasn't a horrible meal, just a forgettable one. If I can't remember anything about the food, that's always a 3 star experience. I know you've seen it in Sideways - so you feel you have to go, but if you've dined at fine steakhouses, you won't be impressed here. If you don't really know what prime beef should taste like, you may really like the old school vibe here. And that I get. If I return, I'll just sit at the bar and hang out. Burger night would also be an option. Started off with the Shrimp Stuffed Pasilla Pepper with corn relish. Very forgettable and very light on the shrimp. Can't see them on my photo. Good cheese content, but I would pass on ordering this again. 2.5 stars 12 oz Filet Mignon - Not the most tender filet I've had. It was kind of dried out even though it was cooked to a correct medium rare. I'm guessing the dry rub is on the steak too long, as the salt in it can take the moisture out of the meat. Would be better to just add the seasoning while grilling. Salsa on the side is very strange. I asked the waitress if it needed it? She said it was a central coast thing. I tried it with the steak, no thanks. The steak by itself had a good flavor, even if it was a bit tough. 3 stars. Wine flight.... When in Rome. I wasn't impressed with any of the Hitching Post's wines. Just kind of generic tasting. I'm also not a wine connoisseur. But I did go to a winery the next day, who asked where else I'd been, and that guy does know his wines, and had nothing but bad things to say about Hitching Post wines. Now maybe that is local jealousy, I don't know. But I loved his winery's wines, and didn't like Hitching Post, so maybe my wine palette isn't that ignorant. 2 stars read more

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The best thing about the hitching post is that Sue was an awesome server, quick, witty and didn't mess around! You can tell she's is experienced... nothing like a great server! We ordered steaks and ribs. The steaks were very good. Well cooked and nicely seasoned however the ribs should be taken off the menu! I like baby backs dry so I figured that these would be perfect since they serve them dry, however, they are undercooked and not worth the money!! Overall this is good place to eat. read more

The Hitching Post 2 - Steakhouses Near Me - Buellton, California

Been wanting to try this place for some time. Had a wine flight to start and the pinots were very good. Wasn't disappointed by any of them. Ordered the filet and the steak was amazing and had a great flavor. Had a back potato and it was just a plain back potato. Wished the side game was a little better. Service was really good. Our server was friendly and attentive. Definitely recommend checking this place. Ambiance was perfect. I will be doing a taste at their winery soon. read more

Stopped in for lunch with family while touring the area. This is one of the spots we truly enjoy! Steak dinner is never let us down horrific to choose us from! Besides being on the sideways trail, this is just a great spot! Recommendation with two thumbs up! read more

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Step 1: make a reservation! Step 2: order literally anything and enjoy! This place is known for more than just being in "that movie". The food and service are top notch! It's spendy, yes. But also it's most definitely not a rip off. read more

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This is an authentic old school steak house with old school charm. The space for dinner is different than for lunch. The dinner seating area is dimly lit but not too dim. The Santa Maria BBQ is visible through glass and the smell is intoxicating. It is impossible to go wrong with any item on the menu. We ordered Chantrell mushrooms for appetizer as well as the grilled asparagus, and both were amazing. At our table, we had several cuts of steak, prepared differently, one was butterflied, one was as it was, I had the pork chops, and we had the Keylime pie for dessert. Gina, our server was attentive, Kind, and very welcoming. If it can be grilled, this place knows how to do it, right. All the desserts are made in house, and you can absolutely taste the homemade goodness in every bite. There was a really nice vibe and buzz to the restaurant where it wasn't too loud, but you could tell everybody was having a great time. Sharing a wonderful meal. This has to be one of the absolute best restaurants in all of Buelton and possibly in all of Santa Barbara County. Put this restaurant on your list, make reservations and go with a few people that you love to share a wonderful meal with. There is something for everybody from Quail, to steak to pork chops, and you will not be disappointed. **** if you go through the reviews and see anyone with less than five stars for this restaurant, see what they're complaining about and read the rest of their reviews. Some say their food is under seasoned, so they must clearly drench their food with tons of salt or have no taste buds. People complain about the silliest things. This place is absolutely amazing and you will be pleasantly surprised and come back over and over be cautious of reviews from people who act like they know food.**** read more

The Hitching Post 2 - Steakhouses Near Me - Buellton, California

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I recently got to enjoy dinner here and it was so good! Hitching Post always delivers. They have great service and the meal is always delicious. Their wines are great and pair well with the different meal choices. I appreciate how much parking they offer. They've got a great location right off of the 246. read more

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We came here on a recommendation and the ribeye was really juicy and delicious - went well with the chimichurri sauce. However, the best thing hands down is the Wagyu tri tip steak and caramelized onion sandwich. Our friend ordered it and we took one bite and I went straight to the ordering spot to get a sandwich myself. Some of juiciest meats in the area. A great spot in the Santa Barbara area read more

The Hitching Post 2 - Steakhouses Near Me - Buellton, California

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Stopped by the Hitching Post last night with the family for dinner. We didn't have a reservation and the place was pretty crowded. Even without a reservation we were seated after waiting about 20 min. Service was great. We got our steaks shortly after we placed our order. The steaks were a perfect medium and seasoned very well. I would recommend this place to anyone who loves a good steak. Sirloin in my opinion was better than the New York but everything was delicious. read more

My bf wanted to eat here because of the movie sideways lol. Long story short... all the food was plain and under seasoned. Had to use salt on everything (minus the artichokes) including the steak and the clam chowder. Very underwhelming. We got the prime sirloin, gulf shrimp, grilled artichoke, and chocolate torte. The best thing was maybe the rice pilaf. The shrimp was cooked and cleaned well but again no flavor. Grilled artichoke was overly salted and ok but def not worth 20 dollars. I would recommend coming for lunch for the cheaper prices if you decide to come here. The place itself was very 80s and had a unique vibe to it. read more

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I have been around Buellton/ Solvang for a huge portion of my life but never ate at Hitching post until recently. We were all pleasantly surprised how good it is. Place needs a remodel for sure but steaks & service were excellent read more

The Hitching Post 2 - Steakhouses Near Me - Buellton, California

The scene is you are out and about possibly alone or if you are lucky. Someone person who can at least tolerate you enough to go out with you in public and you are in the valley. The warm air is gently rustling through the oak trees and before you know it's time for lunch.. So you head straight over to the Hitching post, who in my opinion definitely makes the best impossible burger(honorable mention goes to the regular beef burger) in town. Stop in, grab a beer or a glass of wine, while you enjoy lunch. Trust me, you will not be disappointed. Bring your kids, dogs and friends if you have any. Service is also top tier, maybe even S rank. read more

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Visited because of the Sideways movie. Came early for lunch. Sadly, restaurant is only open for dinner so we missed out on seeing the inside. Anyways, ate outside with a great view of the Ostrichland next door. Had the burger and it was pretty good. Paired it with one of their Pinots (Perfect Set), which was also pretty good. Service was sort of friendly. Staff was a bit confused when we arrived 5 minutes after their open hours and weren't aware of the time, so a bit standoffish. However, they were cordial and started warming up by the time we left. read more

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I was really pleasantly surprised with this place. I'm a huge fan of Sideways so I knew I had to eventually try it. It's much smaller than I expected, but great feel and ambiance. The food was 5/5 stars, really, really good. And the service was great too. I would have given 5 stars in my review, but I felt like the portions and presentation for the price were a little lacking. Overall an excellent experience and we're really happy we went. Try the Corn quesadilla, it's excellent. read more

The Hitching Post 2 - 12 oz rib eye. Great flavor. Small baked potato. This is a $78 plate. - Steakhouses Near Me - Buellton, California

My family & I went to eat here last night & it was awful. Not only is the place needing a desperate update the food is horrible and way overpriced. The feel in there was off service was mediocre. After not enjoying our meal came home to waking up vomiting & having the runs the entire night. We had the mussels & bbq mushrooms for apps, & lamb, burger & steak. Oh & my boyfriend asked the waitress for a wine recc only to be so disappointed with it as well. Won't be going back ever. I would not recommend this place. read more

Ok we made a reservation for 5 pm on a busy holiday weekend, Sunday. We got seated right away. We had 2 adults and 2 small children. Our server very helpful woman was great! She really helped us decide how to order so the kids could have ribs with us as the kids menu only offers a chicken breast or a sirloin steak. And the boys wanted ribs. Service was outstanding. Food about 6/10. Ambiance 5/10. The green salads were very fresh and the ranch dressing was just the way we like it. Tasted homemade and you can taste the yummy buttermilk. You get a choice of soup if the day or salad They give you a relish tray which I love seeing the retro item on a menu. I love me a relish tray! lol. The garlic bread didn't show up until we got our meals and it needs more butter and some garlic. We tasted zero garlic. Very disappointing. They don't serve any beans or a vegetable with the main course. We choose one meal with fries and one with baked potato We had two orders of ribs. I like that they do not use bbq sauce. I like my ribs with a dry spice rub. However, the ribs were no longer than 3" long and looked like tiny dog ribs!! . I don't know where they are getting such undersized ribs but I would never order them again. Additionally, the sound level in the dining room is extremely loud. The sound bounces off the walls and ceiling and just makes for a stressful not relaxing dinner. I had been so looking forward to eating here again. It had been About 15 years. But I was underwhelmed. read more

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Nice place to eat a quiet lunch in 5he great outdoors. Has a wine bar. The service was 3xcellent.

Came here and sat at the bar. Staff was very friendly. The bartender was very dark, with not great lighting. This place is a total locals spot. I had the grilled artichoke and it was the best decision I made. Probably the best artichoke I've ever had. All food gets served with a pickle/vegetable plate. Wine of course was great too! Definitely a spot to stop when in town read more

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Been here multiple times and their steaks never disappoint. Classic bbq cooked meats. If you are an american meat lover on the west coast, definitely come here. They have amazing specials and their service is great. I assumed their bbq sautéed mushrooms would be more bbqy but it had too much red wine for me. It paired absolutely well with the garlic bread though. Everything was delicious! read more

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This old-school spot in Santa Ynez Valley is pretty cool, and the steak and ribs were good. But seriously, I got a third-degree burn on my thumb from my daughter's steak plate. What the heck? Why would you give a kid a plate so hot it literally seared my thumb? And it was only hot on one side, so it was likely left halfway under the salamander way too long. I grabbed her plate to cut her steak, and I'm just glad it was me who got burned and not her. If that had happened, it would've been a huge problem for The Hitching Post. Please, do better and train your staff not to overlook this when serving kids; you could be looking at a terrible future lawsuit if this continues to happen and a child gets burned. P.S. I am a chef owner of a handful of restaurants, so I know this industry inside and out. Video of a burned thumb attached. read more

Burger was absolutely insane (think it's only on Thursday's but not positive). Also got the grilled artichoke which was also delicious. Oscarita was a great drink too. Would absolutely recommend if in the valley!! read more

Came here for lunch while visiting town. We had a large party with children and the staff was very nice and accommodating. Ordered the cheese and corn quesadilla and tri tip sandwich with a side of fries, as well as a wine tasting flight. Despite the tasting area bring separate from dining, they were kind enough to bring our wines to the table. Quesadilla: Perfectly buttery with a generous amount of cheese. The corn adds a nice texture and the salsa they serve with it is nice and smoky. Tri tip sandwich: The bun was soft with an outer crisp. The meat is tender and juicy. The bbw sauce on the side had a pleasant tang. Fries were served hot and crispy. Wine: The tasting had a lot of robust reds which I appreciate. Paired well with lunch. Great experience overall! read more

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Very nice service and the baby backs were wonderful. Lobster tails were also excellent and organic salad was super tasty. Place is a little loud because of the roof being only 10 foot high but overall great experience read more

Pretty sure I've written reviews on this place before, but just in case here's another one. We have eaten here multiple times and have never been disappointed. Does not matter what type of steak you get, you will enjoy it thoroughly. Love the appetizers inside dishes as well. The cocktails are amazing as is the selection of beers to choose from. Love the ambience of this place as well. Service is always amazing and friendly. Be sure to make a reservation because walking in there and hoping to get a table might land you waiting quite a long time. read more

Absolutely our favorite place for a wonderful lunch!! Everyone there makes your experience great. The food is delicious We will be back very soon!! read more

Our group of six arrived for dinner. We all had a variety of items. My BF and another had the smoked duck entrée. They both thought it was delicious. They liked the smoky flavor cooked over the grill. I had the 10 ounce New York steak and it was cooked perfectly. It was very flavorful. Next time I may order the 7 ounce as 10 ounce was a little too much for me. another person in our group had the pork chop which to me looked absolutely delicious. She offered me a taste and it was. I may order that next time. I really love this place as it is so homey. I love that the dinners come with the relish platter at the beginning of the meal, and then your choice of soup or salad before the meal. I had the salad. It's served on a small plate, but there is plenty of salad there piled high. The lettuce was fresh and was not overdressed. We ordered hitching posts Highliner Zinfandel wine with our dinner. It was really fun this time because we were able to sit right in the corner by the grill and were able to watch the chef cook all the meats on the open fired grill. The staff was excellent and very professional and everything came out exactly as ordered. read more

How can anything other than the highest praise for dinners based on exquisite barbecue skills used on the finest of ingredients?