BBQ In The Stix Santa Maria CA: Why Locals Keep Returning
BBQ in the Stix Santa Maria CA: what first timers miss
BBQ in the Stix is a mobile food truck serving authentic Santa Maria-style tri-tip barbecue in Santa Maria, California, located primarily at the corner of Thornburg and Dal Porto Lane but roaming different spots daily; first timers miss that you must follow @bbqinthestix on Instagram for daily location updates since the truck has no fixed address and closes Mondays.
What Makes BBQ in the Stix Unique
This oak-grilled tri-tip food truck was launched in January 2016 by Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef James Gentry and award-winning grillmaster Ronny Cavazos, who combined 21 years of competition barbecuing expertise with professional culinary training to create Santa Maria Valley's first mobile tri-tip operation.
The truck features a custom-built open oak grill inside the vehicle-a rare design that required special permitting since state regulations didn't explicitly allow or prohibit fire pits in food trucks, requiring wood to be split smaller for quick fire building and extinguishing while driving.
Key Facts About BBQ in the Stix
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Phone Number | 354-2401 |
| Primary Location | Thornburg & Dal Porto Lane, Santa Maria, CA 93454 |
| Operating Days | Tue-Sat (Closed Mondays) |
| Lunch Hours | Tue-Fri: 11:30 AM-1:30 PM |
| Dinner Hours | Tue-Fri: 5:00 PM-7:30 PM; Sat varies |
| Signature Dish | Certified Angus Beef tri-tip sandwich on ciabatta |
| @bbqinthestix for daily location |
What First-Timers Always Miss
First-time visitors consistently overlook three critical details that ruin their experience: they show up without checking daily Instagram posts, arrive on Mondays when the truck is closed, and don't know that Santa Maria-style BBQ requires salsa cruda on the side rather than traditional barbecue sauce.
- Follow @bbqinthestix on Instagram before visiting-the truck posts its exact location daily since it roams throughout Santa Maria Area
- Never visit on Monday; the truck is completely closed that day
- Order the $10 boxed lunch during weekday lunch hours (Tue-Fri, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM) for the best value including tri-tip sandwich, salad, chips, and crème brulee
- Request salsa cruda on the side-this barely-spicy pico de gallo is traditional Santa Maria-style, not heavy BBQ sauce
- Try the tri-tip burger on weekends, which customers report is "cooked to perfection"
Signature Menu Items and Pricing
The $10 boxed lunch remains the truck's best value, featuring oak-grilled certified Angus beef tri-tip sandwich on fresh ciabatta with homemade salsa, Babé Farms spring greens salad with farmer's market veggies and balsamic vinaigrette, freshly made Kennebec potato chips, and vanilla bean crème brulee for dessert.
Customers can substitute the tri-tip sandwich with an oak-grilled chicken and strawberry salad containing Babé Farms spring greens, Parmesan cheese, candied rosemary walnuts, and aged balsamic vinaigrette, plus the same chips and dessert.
- Tri-tip sandwich on ciabatta with homemade salsa
- Oak-grilled chicken and strawberry salad with candied rosemary walnuts
- Tri-tip burger (weekend specialty, "cooked to perfection")
- Side of pinquito beans (native to Santa Maria Valley)
- Freshly made Kennebec potato chips
- Vanilla bean crème brulee dessert
Santa Maria-Style BBQ: The Historical Context
Santa Maria-style barbecue is a wood-fired grilling tradition dating back to the mid-1800s when vaqueros (Mexican-origin cowboys) running local cattle ranches held mega fiestas, characterized by tri-tip beef, simple salt rub, and red oak coals.
This Central Coast specialty centers on tri-tip cut of beef-a crown jewel unique to California's Golden State-served traditionally with salsa cruda and pinquito beans, small pink beans native exclusively to the Santa Maria Valley.
"Food trucks are in. And around here we are inundated with taco trucks but nobody's doing anything different. We wanted to do something that would turn heads." - Chef James Gentry, Co-owner
Catering and Group Orders
BBQ in the Stix offers full dinner catering services beyond their food truck operations, making them suitable for events, corporate gatherings, and community functions throughout Santa Maria Valley.
The owners plan to launch five trucks within three years to give back to the community by providing employment, reflecting their commitment to local economic development.
Key concerns and solutions for Bbq In The Stix Santa Maria Ca Why Locals Keep Returning
How Do I Find the Truck Today?
Follow @bbqinthestix on Instagram where they post the exact location daily; the truck roams throughout Santa Maria Area, with Thursdays and Fridays typically in Santa Maria but at different locations each time.
What Hours Are They Open?
The truck operates Tuesday through Saturday, closed Mondays; lunch service runs Tue-Fri 11:30 AM-1:30 PM, dinner service Tue-Fri 5:00 PM-7:30 PM, and Saturday hours vary.
Do They Accept Credit Cards?
Yes, BBQ in the Stix accepts credit cards and offers catering services including full dinner catering and boxed lunches for events.
Is There Seating Available?
As a food truck, they offer outdoor dining at their parking locations; the corner of Thornburg and Dal Porto Lane is a favorite spot for locals enjoying outdoor dining.
What Makes Their Tri-Tip Different?
They use certified Angus beef grilled over red oak coals with just salt and salsa on the side-the authentic Santa Maria-style method-prepared by grillmaster Ronny Cavazos who has won numerous grilling competitions over 21 years.
