"The Hitching Post Restaurant, in Casmalia, former cow-town of the Old West, where California-style barbecuing was brought to perfection by the pioneers, has kept this live oak method of bringing choice, aged beef to the ultimate of gourmet flavor and tenderness.  We endeavor to keep alive the traditions of the old, romantic West.  The weather beaten walls of our 130 plus year-old building are crammed with memories that induce an atmosphere of Western nostalgia to the romantically inclined people, who can relax and trade the pressures of the fast, modern world for an evening of Old West hospitality.”

Nestled in the rolling hills of California’s Central Coast, the original Hitching Post Restaurant has been one of California’s best kept secrets since 1952.  Located about 12 miles southwest of Santa Maria and minutes from Vandenberg Space Force Base (formerly Air Force), the restaurant’s world famous reputation surprises even the Ostini family.  Original owners Frank Sr. and Natalie Ostini have passed on, but their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren carry on the tradition to this day. “It’s amazing the thousands of people who have shared with us their culinary experiences around the world and tell us ours is the best steak they’ve ever had”, states owner Bill Ostini.  And they are always asked “how did you end up with a restaurant out in the middle of nowhere?”

The Beginning

Natalie always told the story of how her husband, Frank Sr., a cabinet maker by trade, put on a suit one evening. This being an unusual occurrence she asked where he was going.  “I hear the Hitching Post is for sale.  I’m going to see about buying it.” The Hitching Post had been their favorite “special occasion” dining spot since it first opened in 1947.  Sure enough, Frank purchased the restaurant along with his brothers Vic and William.  Eventually Frank and Natalie bought out the brothers. To relieve Frank of all the cooking duties they took in partner Julio Zaragoza a few years later. After about 6 years Julio moved on and Frank continued to operate the restaurant. About a year prior to his death in 1977, oldest sons Bill and Frank Jr. had taken over the daily operations and eventually purchased the restaurant from their Mom in 1981.

In 1986 they opened the Hitching Post II in Buellton, California.  It rose in popularity quickly, continuing the great tradition started in Casmalia. After a few years of traveling back and forth between the restaurants, they decided that Bill would take over the original restaurant and Frank would own HP II. Under the direction of Frank Jr. that restaurant continues to thrive. It was featured in the Academy Award winning movie, “Sideways” in 2004. The Buellton Hitching Post has become a destination spot to visitors of the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara County. Bill continues to operate the original restaurant in Casmalia, where people from all over the world are delighted when they find this rare, spectacular, one of kind dining experience in such a quaint, little place.Our rich tradition of Santa Maria style BBQ offers the finest cuts of beef, aged just right, seasoned with our special seasonings and cooked over red oak wood, grown locally.  We only serve the highest quality beef, sourced from small packers in Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas, and aged to our specifications. Well respected meat purveyor, Newport Meat Company, has been our sole supplier for over 35 years.  The restaurant also features succulent Australian Lobster tails, juicy Baby Back Ribs, fresh local fish from the waters off Morro Bay and locally grown fresh vegetables.