Hitching Post II

Name: Hitching Post II
Address: 406 E. Hwy 246, Buellton, CA, United States, 93427
Telephone: (805) 688-0676
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.7

4.7

4603 Reviews

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Top Tags:

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, we have created an exciting cuisine with outstanding steaks, ribs and chicken, along with fresh fish and seafood and vegetarian options. We also create our own (world class) wines for sale in the restaurant and to the public. Hartley Ostini Hitching Post Wines have garnered an excellent reputation. Try them here or purchase on our website for your enjoyment at home.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jan 27, 2023

9:00 PM

Booked 41 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(805) 688-0676

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Steakhouse, American
Hours of operation
Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(805) 688-0676
Website
http://www.hitchingpost2.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Frank Ostini
Catering
We bring our oakwood grill to you with a crew to serve traditional "Santa Maria Style BBQ" or elegant multi course meals with great Santa Barbara wines.
Private party facilities
Very limited private and semi-private opportunities. Please call for details.

Location
406 E. Hwy 246, Buellton, CA 93427
Neighborhood
Buellton
Cross street
Thumbelina
Parking details
None
Additional
Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

68 Monterey Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Popular dishes

Roasted Garlic$10.95
Slow roasted to a soft and smooth texture so you can spread it on toast with herbs, roasted peppers, balsamic and olive oil
BBQ Sauteed Mushrooms$10.95
8 oz. of mushrooms, grilled for smoke flavor, then sauteed with red wine and spices makes a rich sauce, served with garlic toast
Stuffed Pasilla Pepper$12.95
A fire roasted chile, mild to medium-hot, stuffed with shrimp and cheese, served with a grilled corn salsa
Grilled Artichoke$12.95
A house specialty and our most popular appetizer. Steamed then grilled for a unique smoke flavor, seasoned with our own Magic Dust and served with a spicy smoked tomato mayonnaise
Steamed Mussels$13.95
Steamed with beer, vegetables and mussel liquor making a wonderful broth worth dipping with toasted garlic bread
Grilled Texas Quail
Naturally grown, this fresh, partially de-boned quail is quickly grilled so it is flavorful & moist, served with Wild Turkey sweet potatoes
- 4-5oz$14.95

Beef from America's Midwest

Filet Mignon
This steak has been our house specialty since 1986. The rarest & most sought after cut. Prized for its fork cutting tenderness, its flavor is enhanced by our oak fired grill
- 5oz$38.95
- 8oz$47.95
- 12oz$60.95
Prime Top Sirloin
A hearty steak from the highest grade of beef, very juicy, with lots of flavor, aged for tenderness, often a meat eater's favorite, and always one of our most popular cuts
- 7oz$32.95
- 10oz$39.95
- 15oz$45.95
Naural New York
The best combination of flavor and fine textured tenderness. Consistant high quality from the midwest, pasture raised, grain finished, no hormones or antibiotics
- 10oz$43.95
- 14oz$54.95
- Soho NY$38.95
Natural Rib Eye
Newport Pride, sourced from the Pacific NW, never ever hormones/antibiotics, grass fed, grain finished, grown naturally at the highest quality to meet our highest standards of taste, flavor, and tenderness
- 12oz$57.95
Angus Rib Chop
The bone-in rib steak cut from the rib roast and cooked slow over the oak. Like no prime rib you've ever eaten. Incredibly flavorful & large enough to share, and a bone to take home
- 24/26oz$75.95

Combinations

Quail (4oz), Duck (7oz) or Shrimp (4oz) Choose one & add a steak:

Top Sirloin (7oz)$43.95
Filet Mignon (5oz)$49.95

Seafood

Tonight's Fresh Fish
The freshest fish available, boneless, and grilled over the oak fire. Your waitperson will offer you tonight's selections (7 oz)
- A.Q.
Grilled White Shrimp
White prawns from the Pacific coast of Mexico, skewered with onion and bell pepper, delicious over the oak grill
- 4oz$28.95
- 8oz$35.95
Australian Lobster Tail$55.95
An 8-10 oz. tail, the meat is removed from its shell, and it is grilled over the open fire, basted with butter and sprinkled with Magic Stuff, giving it a unique flavor, with a moist and succulent texture

Fowl

Grilled Texas Quail
Naturally raised and partially de-boned. Quickly grilled, juicy with lots of smoke flavor
- One$27.95
- Two$38.95
Fresh Natural Chicken Breast
The highest quality from CA, oak grilled, very juicy with gorgeous flavor
- 10oz$28.95
Diestel Turkey Steak
A family-run sustainable ranch since 1949. A steak of white breast NATURAL turkey from Sonora, cold smoked then grilled and served with an apple-red pepper chutney
- 8oz$28.95
Smoked Duck Breast
Cold smoked & oak grilled, slightly pink inside (unless ordered otherwise), served with an apricot ginger sauce
- 7oz$30.95

Pork & Lamb

Natural Pork Baby Back Ribs
No sticky sauce, just the satisfying flavor of oak smoke from our open grill with our Magic Stuff on Idaho's Salmon Creek Farms Natural Pork
- 1 lb$30.95
Natural Smoked Rib of Pork
Smoked and oak grilled, succulent and delicious Salmon Crk. bone-in pork loin served with apple-red pepper chutney
- 7oz (1 Chop)$28.95
- 14oz (2 Chops)$37.95
New Zealand Rack of Lamb
Tender, distinct yet mild flavor, marinated in mild cajun & garlic spices, then grilled
- 10oz$40.95

What 4,603 people are saying

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
4.4Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

California Central Coast
Steakhouse
Santa Ynez Valley
Best Overall
Santa Ynez Valley
Best Food
Santa Ynez Valley
Best Service
Santa Ynez Valley
Best Value
Santa Ynez Valley
Neighborhood gem
Santa Ynez Valley
Great for fine wines
Santa Ynez Valley
Good for special occasions
Santa Ynez Valley
Most Booked

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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great experience at an iconic Valley restaurant!
D
Doldi
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Restaurant week at The Hitching Post was perfect! Excellent value for delicious food.
D
Dave
Las Vegas
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
A must go-to for every Solvang/Buellton visitor...Our Filet & Pork Chops had a delicious smoked flavor in every bite! Be sure to order a bottle of Hitching Post Highliner Pinot, too!
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Relaxed pleasant atmosphere. Excellent food and drink.
PS
PaulS
Los Angeles
30 reviews
vip
5.0
30 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience3
Excellent food and service. Pork Chop delicious and Top Sirloin as well.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service4ambience3
We don’t eat meat often so when we do, we want to make it count. This might be the best ribeye steak we’ve had in a looooong time, if not ever. Well worth every penny. The restaurant it old and well worn but cozy. A must while in Solvang.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Central Coast
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
Haven’t been able to travel to Buellton due to winter storms. Restaurant Week was a perfect excuse to go to Hitching Post 2. They have a great list of wine and dinner specials to celebrate the week. Bottles of their wines as low as $30. Same for full dinners including dessert. I had the filet at $45 cooked perfect medium rare and key lime pie dessert. My husband had the sirloin which was tender and flavorful with the bread pudding. Everything was tasty and the staff is friendly and helpful. Our server even let us know about a case of special wines at an incredible price that we picked up on the way out.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Central Coast
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
The service from the beginning at check-in was excellent, the wait time was only 5 minutes, and our waiter was attentive and told us the special of the day, our food came fast and we were checked upon. My family and I were very satisfied overall.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Birthday Great dinner! Excellent food, service!
RC
RandyC
San Francisco
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on January 19, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience2
Wait staff was pleasant. Steaks were tough and had gristle.
SZ
StephenZ
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I loved my table because I could watch them grill the food and see the TV in the bar. My waiter was great and the food was cooked to perfection.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Celebrated my husband’s birthday! We always have a great experience here. Love the steak and wine and trying their specials, always the best. It’s our favorite restaurant and we come frequently throughout the year visiting from LA County
J
Judyl
Central Coast
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on January 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Dinner was great. I can always depend on a great meal.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We always love coming to the hitching post. The food is always consistently good and our waitress was awesome
RB
RogerB
San Diego
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on January 1, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
New Years Eve dinner. Waitress was excellent. Split a big Fillet Mignon. Good piece of meat, but not excellent. Potato with ham soup was excellent. Creme Brulee was big and good.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Nice evening, great service, decent beef.
BD
BrettD
Orange County
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Hitching Post III is the best steak in California. We have been going to the Hitching Post II since 1999. Twelve ounce Filet Mignon cooked medium over Santa Maria Oak grill with a side of house made salsa is steak heaven on Earth. Eight to ten ounce Australian lobster grilled to perfection is a go to favorite. A side of grilled quail goes nicely with any meal. We get to Hitching Post when the bar opens (usually 3pm on weekends and 4 pm weekdays) to devour grilled artichoke with a remoulade dip and grilled garlic with crunchy bread slices served with a roasted red pepper relish. If you love Pinot Noir, I highly recommend Hitching Post Highliner at the bar. After bar appetizers, we then go eat at the restaurant. Ask for the dining room with the view of the chefs cooking in the grill behind a large glass window. Hitching Post I is our must go to when we are taking a trip to Solvang or Santa Barbara. You truly haven’t had Oak fire grilled steak until you have experienced the Hitching Post II. We’ll be back.
r
rona
Los Angeles
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Enjoyed meal. Loved coming back here got to our reservation a little earlier
A
Anthony
Central Coast
27 reviews
vip
5.0
27 reviews
Dined on December 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Visit to Solvang. We enjoyed the excellent food and services.
CC
CaitlinC
San Francisco
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 29, 2022
overall3food4service4ambience1
Just wasn't what I expected from the last time I was there in the main indoor restaurant.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on December 29, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
We had a great dining experience… the steak was a bit rare but our lovely waitress had the cook fix it and everything was great!
j
johnt
Hawaii
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 24, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience5
Hitching post is consistently a high quality and tasty meal. Especially good salads. Meat is lean and tender. We will return.
LB
LoriB
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 24, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Best meal and best service we've had in a long time.
CP
ClaudiaP
Columbus
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on December 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My first time there. It was fabulous
BL
BrianL
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Not just about as perfect as you could ever hope for, every visit is memorable :D
AD
AaronD
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on December 22, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Yummy grilled artichokes. Excellent New Zealand lamb. Price has gone up since last visit. But what do you expect?
TG
TinaG
Los Angeles
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 18, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Good solid steak house. Kinda pricey but to be expected. Service and food were good and we’d return again if we were in Solvang. Highly recommend reservations.
K
Kids4biz
Los Angeles
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on December 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
A get away weekend with my wife
CL
CLewis
Los Angeles
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on December 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food and service were both excellent. This is obviously a local favorite: the crowd grew after 6:00 pm. I ordered a Filet Mignon (medium well) & shrimp combination with baked potato. Excellent: just the way I ordered it. My wife ordered baby back ribs and was similarly very pleased. We’ll be back whenever we’re in the area.
JW
JayW
New York Area
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great place! Best steak & lobster around! Service and staff are awesome.
t
tinad
Orange County
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on December 12, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Steaks are always amazing , the best ever and never disappoints . Our server was not very friendly or personable, which was a little disappointing. We will still come back on our annual trip up to Santa ynez regardless, bc the steaks are that good .
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience3
This place is an institution in Buelton, but they’ve earned it. Their food is some of the best in the Santa Maria valley. Their ribs are out of this world and don’t need any sauce at all! It’s truly a place that you can come back to over and over again.
RS
RyanS
Philadelphia
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience3
The Hitching Post II is a kitschy but very tasty favorite of ours. We shared a NY steak and couldn't finish it. Everything else was wonderful too.
RC
RogerC
Central Coast
32 reviews
5.0
32 reviews
Dined on December 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
This is the second time we've been seated in an area - next table! - where we were in August of this year. It also meant that we had the same server, Gina S.. Like the last time her service was absolutely spot on: attentive; engaging; serving our orders at exactly the pace we requested; and always kept an eye on our table. Gina is a standard setting server. The food was as good as always with our steaks cooked perfectly rare is we like them letting the beef taste shine. Over the years this restaurant has been consistenly outstanding in food and service and is a must for anyone coming to the area. We were one of the last to leave waiting for our ride. The manager kindly asked if we had transport coming and was willing to find some if we did not. Nice touch!
KC
KittyC
Orange County
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always delicious!
PE
PasoEd
Central Coast
41 reviews
4.0
41 reviews
Dined on December 5, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience3
In spite of reading some negative comments recently about this restaurant, we found the food to be very good. Steaks were tender, flavorful and perfectly prepared. Service was a bit on the sterile side but totally efficient. We dined on a Sunday evening at 6pm and the place was pretty much solidly booked, and when we left after 7, there were patrons waiting to get in still.
h
healthy805
Central Coast
28 reviews
5.0
28 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Celebrating a business promotion
MM
MadisonM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
THE BBQ SAUTEED MUSHROOMS WERE HEAVENLY! And then I poured the left over sauce from that on my perfectly cooked filet mignon. It was such a satisfying meal, and we had great service.
LC
LutherC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
the steak was excellent but the ribs werent very tender for being pork
OT
OpenTable Diner
Las Vegas
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

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 4603 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jan 27, 2023

9:00 PM

Booked 41 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(805) 688-0676

406 E. Hwy 246, Buellton, CA 93427

Additional information

Cross street
Thumbelina
Neighborhood
Buellton
Hours of operation
Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Cuisines
Steakhouse, American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
None
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Executive chef
Frank Ostini
Additional
Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.hitchingpost2.com/
Phone number
(805) 688-0676
Catering
We bring our oakwood grill to you with a crew to serve traditional "Santa Maria Style BBQ" or elegant multi course meals with great Santa Barbara wines.
Private party facilities
Very limited private and semi-private opportunities. Please call for details.

Featured in

68 Monterey Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Hitching Post II

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

Additional information

68 Monterey Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Steak Salad

Grilled Artichoke

Filet Mignon (5oz)

All Entrees Include

Fresh Vegetable Tray & Toasted Garlic Bread

Your Choice of

Organic Mixed Green Salad

Today's Soup

Shrimp Cocktail

Appetizers

Roasted Garlic$10.95

BBQ Sauteed Mushrooms$10.95

Stuffed Pasilla Pepper$12.95

Grilled Artichoke$12.95

Steamed Mussels$13.95

Grilled Texas Quail

Beef from America's Midwest

Filet Mignon

Prime Top Sirloin

Naural New York

Natural Rib Eye

Angus Rib Chop

Combinations

Top Sirloin (7oz)$43.95

Filet Mignon (5oz)$49.95

Seafood

Tonight's Fresh Fish

Grilled White Shrimp

Australian Lobster Tail$55.95

Fowl

Grilled Texas Quail

Fresh Natural Chicken Breast

Diestel Turkey Steak

Smoked Duck Breast

Pork & Lamb

Natural Pork Baby Back Ribs

Natural Smoked Rib of Pork

New Zealand Rack of Lamb

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Sort by

Filters

Cleaning & sanitizing

Physical distancing

Screening

FAQs

Does Hitching Post II offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Hitching Post II restaurant rated?

Is Hitching Post II currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

Additional information

Featured in

68 Monterey Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day