by Sunset Magazine

 

Guadalupe , CA —The legend of the Far Western Tavern in the Santa Maria Valley continues to grow as it has been named to Sunset Magazine’s prestigious list of “Top 10 Barbecue Joints” in the west, ranking it alongside famed restaurants from Napa Valley , Santa Fe , Seattle , Phoenix and elsewhere. The list appears in the June 2009 issue of Sunset Magazine, as well as on Sunset.com.

 

The Far Western Tavern is located in the small coastal town of Guadalupe and is today celebrating more than 50 years of consecutive same-family ownership. The restaurant is considered a landmark of Santa Maria Style Barbecue, a 150-year-old culinary tradition rooted in the Santa Maria Valley .

 

“Sunset Magazine is an authoritative voice in the culinary world, so it’s quite an honor to have our restaurant recognized by them,” said Susan Righetti, whose parents Clarence and Rosalie Minetti, along with their cousin Richard Maretti, opened the Far Western Tavern in 1958.

 

In the article, Sunset writer Matthew Jaffe observes: “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 .”

 

Jaffe continues, “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 is no stranger to acclaim. The Righetti-Minetti family starred in a segment on the Food Network’s BBQ with Bobby Flay, and the Far Western Tavern has been featured in numerous national magazines as well.

 

The Far Western Tavern remains popular with local cowboys and farmers, but now also appeals to the Santa Maria Valley ’s growing influx of tourists, wine enthusiasts and urban transplants. At the Far Western dinner table, all find common ground in the distinctive and robust regional fare for which the restaurant is renowned.

 

“This honor is just more evidence of the growing interest in Santa Maria Style Barbecue,” said Righetti, whose own Susie Q’s Brand specializes in artisan Santa Maria Style Barbecue retail foods. “More and more people are seeking authenticity in their food, and that’s exactly what our region offers.”

 

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Fine fare meets authentic flavor for an unforgettable dining experience at the Far Western Tavern. Here in the Santa Maria Valley, the Minetti family brings two generations and five decades of ownership to your table, serving legendary cuisine that is rooted in local tradition yet suited for contemporary tastes. The Far Western Tavern specializes in dishes that reflect the region’s Swiss-Italian ranch heritage, including premium beef cuts such as Clarence Minetti’s signature Bull’s Eye Steak. Chicken, seafood, shellfish and home-style ravioli are among other offerings that bring added options to your palate. Visit www.FarWesternTavern.com for more information.

 

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