Sunset Magazine has included the Santa Maria Valley’s Far Western Tavern in its list of “Top 10 Barbecue Joints” in its June 2009 issue, scoring another prestigious accolade for Santa Maria Style Barbecue and putting the small town of Guadalupe on the map with Napa, Santa Fe, Seattle and Phoenix.
Here’s what Sunset says about the Far Western Tavern: “In a tiny town on a windswept stretch of the Santa Barbara County coast, this Santa Maria–style BBQ classic isn’t shy about embracing its ranching roots: The century-old building is decorated with cowhide curtains held by horseshoe clasps. The clientele is a mix of local cowboys in their Stetsons and foodies making a BBQ pilgrimage from L.A. or San Francisco…You gotta try the Pinot Filet. Served over grilled polenta, it’s where California barbecue meets the area’s Swiss-Italian heritage. And you get pinquito beans on the side.”
The Far Western Tavern was founded 50 years ago by Clarence and Rosalie Minetti along with cousin Richard Maretti, and is today considered a landmark of Santa Maria Style Barbecue. The restaurant is still owned by the Minetti family. Clarence and Rosalie’s daughter Susan Righetti is the founder of Susie Q’s Brand, an artisan purveyor of Santa Maria Style Barbecue foods.
Kudos to the Far Western Tavern for 50 years of barbecue excellence!
