Hitching Post 2

Thought this was going to be a tourist trap since it was in the movie Sideways but turned out to be a great experience. Our waiter was very good and helped select one of their excellent house wines. We had the grilled artichoke appetizer which we didn't care for that much but the steak and baked potatoes were excellent. Cooked to perfection. Will return when we are back in the area.

While riding my motorcycle through California, I smelled the smoke and saw the World's Best BBQ Steak sign and said I would have to test that theory. I finished my activities for today in Soledad and said today would be the day, so I doubled back the 170 miles to come partake. I called a friend who was 2 hours away and had her meet me there for dinner. They closed at 830 p.m., and our arrival time was 820, and I thought it would be an issue. The hostess not only assured me it wasn't a problem, but she even made me a reservation. We got there, and the place was packed, and the service and food was phenomenal. I had the surf and turf special, and my steak was very flavorful and cooked to perfection. My lobster was light and flaky and so delicious. I also had the key lime pie for dessert, and it was really good as well. I'm glad I came back to eat here and I will definitely be back when I'm California.

The classic Western Ranch steak house with steaks and other meat taking center stage. You can watch the chef fire the meat on the oak fired grill through a picture window in the dining room. Dining room is super quaint like it was decorated 100 years ago.

Amazing steak dinner. Everything we ordered was perfect and flavorful. We started with grilled artichokes and salad. shared a Rib Eye steak with baked patotoes and barbecue mushrooms. The wine 🍷 menu is extensive. We opted for a bottle of The Paring. Aaron, our server, was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. We closed the amazing meal with a homemade key lime pie. Best ever.

My first visit was for lunch. I opted for the outside "picnic" like tables over looking the valley below and the ostrich farm in the distance. It was an awesome setting, beautiful day. The large trees afforded just enough shade.

I ordered r the ribeye. It came with French fries. Both were delicious, seasoned and well prepared. One of the best ribeyes I've ever had.

Once the servers bring your meal to you, they give plenty of space for you to enjoy without feeling as though they're hovering. Periodically, they come by and ask if you need anything but they pretty much let you enjoy the meal experience. I really like that.

I've known about this place for 30+ years but never stopped in for a meal. I'll likely stop in regularly now.

Just an amazing experience and the price was good for what we got. I had steak and lobster, wife had Mahi Mahi. Amazing both dishes. Perfect portion. Waitresses so nice. So accommodating.

Though well known of its steaks, neither of us felt like steak, unfortunately. Ok ambience, old style. Serice was great! The lamb chops were excellent! Pork ribs were a different style, but could certainly taste the high quality of the ribs. The appetizer mussels were delicious.

Went to the hitching post winery for a tasting and then had dinner at the hitching post II. Both were Exceptional. Many of the staff, including our waitress Tami, had been there for 20- 30 years. It really showed in the level of service from waitstaff and bartenders. The food was AMAZING! We expected it to be good, but everything was excellent. Grilled Artichoke was delicious and you could really taste the attention to detail in the homemade dressing they served with it. Same with the salad. One of the best blue cheese dressings we've had. Steaks were cooked perfectly med rare. The seasonings on the steaks was perfect. The cheesecake desert, also made in house, was probably the best we have had! We would highly recommend this great restaurant.

My first time here but I wanted to be thorough so forgive the long review. Like everyone else I wanted to come here ever since seeing Sideways. My first impression was cozy, extremely dark, an overall nice dinner environment.

First I was really disappointed by the limited menu. There simply wasn’t much to choose from. 3 apps, 1 chicken, 1 fish, a few steaks. Nothing like the selection at say AJ Spurs. The waitress was super sweet and told us the specials. After nothing on the menu grabbed me, I decided to go for the 8oz chopped beef steak patty on brioche bun that was on special. I got bacon as an add on and oh boy am I glad I did!!!

Anyone who reads my reviews knows burgers are my thing. And this one was amazing! Medium cooked top sirloin patty, fresh sides, great soft bun and a house made ketchup sauce. But the bacon…. The bacon!!! See the included pics!!! The bacon was more like slabs of rib or pork chops! Thick, juicy, fatty cuts of prime pork pushed this already great burger over the top!!! I do think they need to add some things to the menu, but overall the burger saved the day, I was not let down!

We reserved a table but had such great service at the bar we decided to stay. My filet was cooked perfectly! The artichoke appetizer was excellent! And the strawberry short cake was the best I've ever had.

Another must experience if you're a Sideways fan. Steak was perfectly cooked. Service was good. Do not expect a quick meal here. Make reservations. Try the lentil soup.

Low-key but delicious steakhouse. They start you off with some veggies, maybe to clean your palette? No idea but I'm always down for some fiber. Their bean soup is completely vegetarian and really flavorful while the salad is pretty standard but still good.

For entrees, I ordered the pork chop which has really great flavor and didn't seem too salty along with the baked potato. My hubs ordered the 10oz New York steak with the magic seasoning and that was really flavorful too.

All in all, a solid steakhouse restaurant.

Yes, this is famous now because of the movie. But what a great all-around experience regardless. This is not Michelin-type food. But our lamb chops were succulent and perfectly cooked. The appetizer mushrooms were drenched in a beautiful red wine reduction. And even the starter salads were better than average. And their Hitching Post Pinots may be the best value I have ever seen on a wine menu. $70 for a Sanford & Benedict Pinot at a restaurant? Unheard of. And Jennifer our waitress was so genuine and friendly. Fantastic

My #1 steakhouse, there service above and beyond, the food comes out perfect, Angus ribeye, and the dessert from the apple pie when they have it to the cheese cake drizzle mouth watering. 😋

My new favorite place I wish I got a photo of my food. It was one of the best steaks I’ve ever had and it was a sirloin lol it was so delicious and tasty. Oh my God I cannot wait to go back here and all the people of the bar were so fun and interesting locals visitors. The bartender was awesome I love love this place and cannot wait to go back to the Santa Ynez Valley just to eat here.

Lunch is served across the parking lot over at the winery rather than in the steakhouse itself. The two vegetarian options include a Beyond Burger and a portobello sandwich, which I chose and was delicious. There was also free broccoli slaw. The service was amazing and the view of the valley and Ostrich Land was beautiful.

Perfectly grilled steak, amazing duck and quail, our waitress was superb. Surprisingly it was the mussels that made everyone crave for more.

Lovely relaxing outdoor lunch / picnic with wine. View over Ostrichland

The steak was fantastic and we are steak snobs! I had the duck breast it was cooked perfectly. All in all a great meal. Reservations are a must!

WOW!! A must for an awesome lunch and wine tasting!! Lounge outside watching the ostriches next door while you try their awesome Pinots and having some of the amazing BBQ. Steak salad was super yummy as was their deviant ribs!! Service great and their team are so friendly. Also dog friendly - what more can you ask for!?!