Hitching Post II

4.7

5158 Reviews

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 16, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 28 times today

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, 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, particularly for our Pinot Noirs. Try them while dining, or at our wine tasting room next door, or purchase on our winery website (www.hpwines.com).

Order delivery or takeout

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
(805) 688-0676
Website
http://www.hitchingpost2.com/
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.

Location
406 E. Hwy 246, Buellton, CA 93427
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

Featured in

68 Monterey Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Popular dishes

Roasted Garlic$16.00
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$17.00
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$18.00
A fire roasted chile, mild to medium-hot, stuffed with shrimp and cheese, served with a grilled corn salsa
Grilled Artichoke$19.00
A house specialty and our most popular appetizer. Steamed then grilled for a unique smoke flavor, seasoned with our own Magic Stuff and served with a spicy smoked tomato mayonnaise
Steamed Mussels$19.00
Steamed with beer, vegetables and mussel liquor making a wonderful broth worth dipping with toasted garlic bread
Grilled Texas Quail$20.00
Naturally grown, this fresh, partially de-boned quail (4-5 oz) is quickly grilled so it is flavorful & moist, served with Wild Turkey sweet potatoes
- 4-5oz$20.00

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$54.00
- 8oz$66.00
- 12oz$83.00
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$42.00
- 15oz$57.00
Natural 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$57.00
- 14oz$72.00
- Soho NY (7 oz)$46.00
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$78.00

Combinations

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

Top Sirloin (7oz)$60.00
Filet Mignon (5oz)$70.00

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$39.00
- 8oz$50.00
Oak Grilled Lobster Tail$75.00
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 or special 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$40.00
- Two$53.00
Fresh Natural Chicken Breast
The highest quality from CA, oak grilled, very juicy with gorgeous flavor
- 10oz$39.00
Smoked Duck Breast
Cold smoked & oak grilled, slightly pink inside (unless ordered otherwise), served with an apricot ginger sauce
- 7oz$46.00

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$42.00
Natural Smoked Pork Chop
Smoked and oak grilled, succulent and delicious Salmon Crk. bone-in pork loin served with apple-red pepper chutney
- 7oz (1 Chop)$38.00
- 14oz (2 Chops)$49.00
New Zealand Rack of Lamb
Tender, distinct yet mild flavor, marinated in mild cajun & garlic spices, then grilled
- 10oz$63.00

What 5,158 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
4.7Service
4.5Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Santa Ynez Valley
Best Overall
Santa Ynez Valley
Best Food
Santa Ynez Valley
Best Service
Santa Ynez Valley
Best Value
Santa Ynez Valley
Good for groups
Santa Ynez Valley
Healthy
Santa Ynez Valley
Neighborhood gem
Santa Ynez Valley
Great for fine wines
Santa Ynez Valley
Good for special occasions
Santa Ynez Valley
Lively
Santa Ynez Valley
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Hitching Post II offers a "delicious and fun experience" with "spectacular food, wine, atmosphere, and service." Known for its "perfectly prepared steaks" and "amazing artichoke appetizers," the restaurant delivers a "nostalgic" and "homey" vibe. Make reservations to enjoy this "local favorite" and "Sideways" icon.

5,158 Reviews

S
Sandy
VIP
Palm Springs
13 reviews
3.0
13 reviews
Dined today
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 1
Wish we’d eaten elsewhere. Way, way over priced for low quality meats. Nothing special about the side dishes or wines. This place has been riding on the coat tails of Side Ways for far too long… it’s a loud, old, dump, serving low quality at high prices for far too long… this place needs to either completely reinvent itself in every single aspect… or close..
Is this helpful?
Y
Yvette
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We celebrated our Valentine’s wedding anniversary and had the filet, lobster and Ono and it was fantastic! Service was great and we can’t wait to come back.
Is this helpful?
M
Mark
Seattle
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I came here as a fan on the movie Sideways. My meal was excellent and the service was even better. I had filet mignon and it was cooked perfectly. Lentil soup was superb! My server was Autumn and she was personable, professional, polite, and provided excellent service. The wine was excellent. I would highly recommend the Hitching Post II.
Is this helpful?
G
Gavin
VIP
San Diego
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Burger was amazing as usual. I was surprised by how delicious the kids steak was, my son even did a happy dance after his first bite!!
Is this helpful?
B
Bridget
Central Coast
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Food was mediocre. Our steak showed up in this tiny portion with a small potato. No veggie or anything. Not worth the price. Drinks were good.
Is this helpful?
M
Mike
Los Angeles
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on February 3, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Steaks are amazing well worth it. I recommend the grill artichoke.
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J
Jane
VIP
Palm Springs
56 reviews
4.0
56 reviews
Dined on February 1, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
The service was super nice and accommodating, atmosphere fun in a nostalgic way and the food was fine - steaks had good flavor but were maybe tougher than expected for the price. Only bummer was no “Sideways” cast sightings… 😉 We’re happy to have tried it - checked that one off our list!
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R
Robert
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Famous for a reason, absolutely spectacular food, wine, atmosphere and service! Even if I wasn't familiar with the film "Sideways" I would have loved this place just the same. Must do!
Is this helpful?
D
Deborah
Central Coast
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on January 27, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Steaks were ordered medium rare, but they were more like medium. Good flavor from the “magic dust”. Salad was ok…lots of spring lettuces with long stems made it difficult to eat , dressing was good.. Great French Fries & my husband’s fish soup was tasty.
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K
Kristine
Central Coast
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 26, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had outstanding service from Jessica last night!! Our evening was already stacked with laughter and great company. But her cheerful wit was a home-run in this party! She even knew right off the bat that we were their celebrating my husbands birthday. She made sure he got all of the special attention. I can’t wait to return and request her as our server again. Now onto the food! We started with the grilled artichoke. Now, if you have never had this item here, you need to change that soon! They have mastered this item!! For dinner we had the 7oz sirloin with the baked potato. You haven’t lived until you’ve had a steak from the HP! As for the sweet treat at the end, HP Cheesecake! Trust me on this one! It’s a must!!
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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 5158 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 16, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 28 times today

Order delivery or takeout

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

Website
http://www.hitchingpost2.com/
Phone number
(805) 688-0676
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.

Featured in

68 Monterey Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Hitching Post II

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

68 Monterey Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Filet Mignon (5oz)

Steak Salad

Natural Rib Eye

All Entrees Include

Fresh Vegetable Tray & Toasted Garlic Bread

Your Choice of

Organic Mixed Green Salad

Today's Soup

Appetizers

Roasted Garlic$16.00

BBQ Sauteed Mushrooms$17.00

Stuffed Pasilla Pepper$18.00

Grilled Artichoke$19.00

Steamed Mussels$19.00

Grilled Texas Quail$20.00

Beef from America's Midwest

Filet Mignon

Prime Top Sirloin

Natural New York

Natural Rib Eye

Combinations

Top Sirloin (7oz)$60.00

Filet Mignon (5oz)$70.00

Seafood

Tonight's Fresh Fish

Grilled White Shrimp

Oak Grilled Lobster Tail$75.00

Fowl

Grilled Texas Quail

Fresh Natural Chicken Breast

Smoked Duck Breast

Pork & Lamb

Natural Pork Baby Back Ribs

Natural Smoked Pork Chop

New Zealand Rack of Lamb

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

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

Additional information

Featured in

68 Monterey Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day