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

Hitching Post II

4.7 (5205)
$31 to $50
Steakhouse
406 E. Hwy 246, Buellton, CA 93427

Make a reservation

2 people
8:00 PM
Booked 39 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighborhood gem
  • 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 5,205 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
Hitching Post II offers a memorable dining experience with "outstanding" food and service. Known for its "legendary" steaks and "fantastic" wine selection, the restaurant's classic steakhouse vibe and cozy atmosphere consistently delight guests. While some décor updates are suggested, the "attentive" service and standout dishes like grilled artichoke maintain its charm.
5,205 Reviews
  1. Jordan VIP

    Tampa / Central Florida West18 reviews

    1.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    ⭐☆☆☆☆ “More like Hitching a Ride Outta There…” If you’re coming here because of Sideways, let me save you a detour and some serious disappointment. This isn’t a charming wine country gem — it’s a glorified truck stop wearing Paul Giamatti’s turtleneck. The $95 ribeye? Sent back. Tougher than Miles’ luck with women. The $75 lobster tail? I swear I saw the same one at Costco for $12. And the salad? TSA would confiscate it as a weapon of blandness. Everything tasted like it was air-dropped from a 1997 airport lounge. The vibe? Less romantic rustic and more MAGA retirement bunker. Dingy interiors, gruff service, and the culinary flair of a nursing home on meatloaf night. This place is riding a wave of Sideways nostalgia and hoping you won’t notice the emperor’s got no seasoning. If you want actual food and a wine list that doesn’t come with a side of ketchup packets, head to The Gathering in Solvang. Real chef. Real flavors. Real 2025. As for the Hitching Post? I am not drinking the Kool-Aid. Jordan Smith

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  2. Mike VIP

    Los Angeles1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Loved their hospitality. And excellent ambient and atmosphere. Loved the wines.

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  3. Steve VIP

    Orange County57 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food, service and ambience was impeccable . A must to go for the Best steakhouse.

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  4. David

    Las Vegas11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    our server Nicki was delightful. She had a wonderful knowledge of the menu and a true enthusiasm for the quality and variety of food and wines. Her suggestions were spot on and greatly appreciated. We enjoyed the stuffed pasilla pepper w elote corn, the New York 14 ounce steak was amazing and the house made cheesecake with crushed berry sauce was heavenly. we paired this meal with the 2021 house Syrah, also scrumptious. 

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  5. Joyce J . VIP

    Los Angeles4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We have eaten at the Hitching Post in Casmalia numerous times. Since we were staying in the Solvang area, we decided to try the Hitching Post II, which was excellent! Aaron A. was our server and did an outstanding job. I appreciated the wine selection he suggested for my steak and his attentive service.

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  6. Shanon

    Yosemite / Mammoth Lakes2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on July 13, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    This old school establishment could use a cosmetic refresh. Popcorn ceilings & ugly decor but the food is good. Yes I know they are clinging to “Sideays” fame but still a refresher would do this place a world of good.

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  7. Danny

    Orange County3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is it — the ultimate stop on our Sideways tour of the Santa Ynez Valley. We strolled over from the Sideways Inn (a lovely walk, by the way) and were seated promptly upon arrival. From start to finish, the experience delivered: great service, fantastic wine — I had a glass of the 2014 Pinot, the oldest wine I’ve ever tasted — and incredible food. The steak lived up to the hype, but the grilled artichoke completely blew us away. Honestly, this same meal would cost at least $50 more in LA My wife and I absolutely love this place. We felt fully immersed in the world of Sideways — such a perfect and memorable stop on our trip.

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  8. Brett

    Orange County7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A Resturant I never miss when I’m in the area. The food is always outstanding.

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  9. Dote

    Sacramento / Sacramento Valley1 review

    5.0

    Dined on July 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great dinner. We had roasted garlic, pork chops, steak, etc. The meats had a great smoked flavor. My husband’s only complaint was that the iced tea was flavored. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

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  10. David VIP

    Denver / Colorado1 review

    1.0

    Dined on July 8, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Our experience was poor. Over charged on items, less than good responsiveness to the over charges

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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 5205 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
8:00 PM
Booked 39 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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