Some regional barbecues frequently take center stage, pushing other styles undeservedly out of the way. But this underrated ...

Decode the California BBQ phrases that confuse newcomers but make perfect sense to locals who live the West Coast grill life.

This modern twist on a California grilling classic brings bold flavor and vibrant color to your summer table. Tender Santa Maria-style tri-tip is seasoned simply and grilled over high heat to ...

Even though it was almost 20 years ago, my mouth still waters when I remember my first taste of great Santa Maria barbecue. I was meandering up the 5 Freeway on my way north. It was lunchtime, and for ...

Southern barbecue has its aficionados, as does Kansas City barbecue. Hot links, pork ribs and beef ribs all have their fans. Just as devoted are the Californians from the central Coast who are hooked ...

A new barbecue joint opened in July in Buena Park that has been idling under the radar ever since. It’s called Santa Maria BBQ, and it is a quirky cafe that shares a little food court with a coffee ...

Long before Jeremy “Boomer” Acuña was executive chef at Krause’s Cafe in New Braunfels, he was a 6-year-old kid helping his mom, Annie Acuña, in their San Diego kitchen. “She was from Santa Maria, ...

If you’re a proud Californian, you’ll listen politely to a Texan bragging about brisket or a Carolinian rhapsodizing about pulled pork. Then you’ll set them straight about barbecue: Tri-tip is the ...

Recently I was reminded of a cut of meat not every grocery store or meat cutter carries: tri-tip. A local grocery store was featuring tri-tip roasts on special for $4.99 a pound. It’s the first time I ...

In California, whole seasoned roasts are strung up on steel rods and then gradually lowered over hot red oak coals. Cooking a whole roast, generally 2 1/2 to 3 pounds, takes about 45-50 minutes for ...

Santa Maria is one of those cities I always drive past on my way up north. It doesn’t have the Danish kitsch and buttery-rich pastries of nearby Solvang or the summery vibe of Pismo Beach just up the ...

Trader Joe's is the perfect place to stock up on high quality snacks and prepared foods. But it also carries an array of time-saving marinated meats that can turn a drab dinner into a dramatic dish.