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Main dining room with fireplace - Hitching Post II, Buellton, CA

Hitching Post II

4.7 (5191)
$31 to $50
Steakhouse
406 E. Hwy 246, Buellton, CA 93427

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 25 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for fine wines
Here, 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 our area and goes back to the days of the Spanish Rancheros. By combining the old and the new and using only the finest sources, we have created an exciting cuisine with outstanding steaks, ribs and chicken, along with fresh fish and seafood and vegetarian options. The restaurant has repeatedly earned the Wine Spectator Award for our wine list. We also create our own (world class) wines for sale in the restaurant and to the public. For 40 years Hitching Post Wines has produced some of the best wines of Santa Barbara County garnering an excellent reputation, particularly for our Pinot Noirs. Visit the restaurant Wednesday through Monday 4:30-8:30 PM. For groups over 6, please contact us directly at 805-688-0676. Closed Tuesdays.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Steakhouse, American
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon, Wed–Sun 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Frank Ostini
  • Catering
    We cater events at our restaurant and wine tasting room only
  • Private party facilities
    Very limited private and semi-private opportunities. Please call for details.
  • Neighborhood
    Buellton
  • Cross street
    Thumbelina
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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What 5,191 people are saying

Hitching Post II reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • California Central Coast

    Great for fine wines

  • California Central Coast

    Steakhouse

  • Santa Ynez Valley

    Best Service

  • Santa Ynez Valley

    Good for groups

  • Santa Ynez Valley

    Hot spot

  • Santa Ynez Valley

    Neighborhood gem

  • Santa Ynez Valley

    Great for fine wines

  • Santa Ynez Valley

    Lively

  • Santa Ynez Valley

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Hitching Post II offers a "wonderful time-warped experience" with "outstanding" steaks that are "wood grilled with perfect seasoning." Guests praise the "friendly and attentive" service and the "amazing" wine selection. The rustic atmosphere and consistent quality make it a "locals favorite" and a "must-do" destination.
5,191 Reviews
  1. Jennie

    Los Angeles1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great! Really loved the whole experience steak was great. Loved the appetizers.

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  2. Nate VIP

    Los Angeles6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Super fun! My date and I got a front row seat to the Santa Maria grill and got to watch a show throughout our dinner. Great wine, well-cooked meat, and tasty sides. A great spot to end our Santa Ynez wine weekend. Would definitely come back again.

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  3. Laura

    Los Angeles1 review

    1.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 1
    It’s been 15 years since visiting this place. It took an hour to get the main course and we all ordered steaks ( 5 oz filet, 2x 8 oz filet, 1 ribeye). All steaks were overcooked and the 8 oz looked smaller than the 5 oz . If it wasn’t for the nice waitress who was not at fault, we would have sent it all back. Truly disappointing. High costs of upscale steakhouse without the upscale steak. Would never go again.

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  4. tiffany VIP

    Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities33 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on June 23, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    We decided to go to the Hitching post over SY Kitchen for our last night in Solvang, partly because of the menu and also because of the notoriety. The dinner started off well, table ready, server prompt, fresh veggie tray delivered-then it started the downhill slide. The cocktails we ordered were average, a negroni showed up incorrectly put together. I ordered the small NY steak and my friend the pork chop. Soup was good, wine was not good (we ordered the bottle, drank a glass each and left the rest of the bottle on the table. The potatoes were basic but good, the pork chop was really good. The steak-inedible. It was tough, under seasoned and had a strange sour taste to the meat. For a steak house we were utterly disappointed. Neither of us will go back, but hopefully we just got them on a not so good night.

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  5. Guadalupe

    Unspecified1 review

    4.0

    Dined on June 22, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Great food, just took a while to sit us down while having a deserve and also we were called after people walking in which I thought was unfair.

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  6. Janet VIP

    Orange County14 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We sat at the bar our bartenders were amazing, had a great dinner & drinks

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  7. Jeff

    California Central Coast2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 19, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great Visit As Always. Wait staff is always kind, helpful, and efficient.

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  8. Cynthia VIP

    California Central Coast134 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were out wine tasting in the area so made reservations for The Hitching Post. We were with friends who had never been before. Service was great and the food was outstanding. My husband had a stuffed pepper with cheese and shrimp that was an appitizer special for the evening. It was very good. He had the rib eye and I had the Filet Mignon. Both steaks were cooked exactly how we ordered them. All in all it was a great dinner and our friends really enjoyed themselves.

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  9. James VIP

    Los Angeles47 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Last night I had the best , most tender juicy baby back ribs ever. My husband’s prime top sirloin steak and was ever so tender and flavorful. Both were Smoke grilled with perfect seasoning and moist and juicy. Dinner was served with salad and baked potato and the traditional relish tray of fresh vegetables. This restaurant’s offer just plain old fashioned cooking and service and everything was outstanding. The house made dessert of strawberry shortcake was amazing and positive comments about the key lime pie came from diners around us. I admit we are senior Seniors but this meal was reminiscent of those special great Sunday dinners we used to have at home. The wine list has an amazing selection also and cocktails also served. We had a great view of the open kitchen and grill and enjoyed watching the teamwork and chef’s skill. We will happily return for the quality of the meat and excellent service.

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  10. Kimberly VIP

    Orange County262 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a great meal at Hitching Post. Aaron is a professional and efficient server. He provides great service and is friendly and kind. We ordered the mushroom appetizer and the Ono fish and a Cheeseburger. Everything was perfectly cooked and delicious. We will return soon and thanks to the staff for a great experience!!

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FAQs

Hitching Post II offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (805) 688-0676.

Hitching Post II is rated 4.7 stars by 5191 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. California Central Coast
  4. Santa Ynez Valley
  5. Buellton

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 25 times today
Google Map for Hitching Post II

406 E. Hwy 246, Buellton, CA 93427

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Thumbelina
  • Neighborhood
    Buellton
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon, Wed–Sun 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Steakhouse, American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Frank Ostini
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    We cater events at our restaurant and wine tasting room only
  • Private party facilities
    Very limited private and semi-private opportunities. Please call for details.
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