Rancho Nipomo Deli & BBQ
108 Cuyama Ln, Nipomo, CA, 93444
Rancho Nipomo Deli & BBQ Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Nipomo for healthy meals suggestion.
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Visit below restaurant in Nipomo for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
108 Cuyama Ln
Nipomo, CA, 93444 - Phone (805) 925-3500
- Website https://www.ranchonipomobbq.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Ericaaa N.
A New LocaL Favorite! The Best BBq && CaL-Mex pLus Cantina on Tha CentraL Coast U.S. 101 Rancho Nipomo HWY 166 CaLiFornia RepubLic is where this spot lands!! My favorite items are the BBq Sandwiches and the Pastrami which are to die for!! But this spot is great for Tri-Tip as well from French fries to tacos!!! Yummy my onLy favorite SPOT close to my home that is different!
(5)Bart N.
Richard and his crew do a really nice job.....pricing, flavor and service are all really good.
(4)Junell P.
Awful. Overpriced for what you get. Produce in the "Grocery section" not fresh. Made me really wonder about the food being served in the restaurant. I paid $9.00 for a $4.00 hamburger. It was absolutely TERRIBLE. Will not go back.
(2)Brooke C.
I love Rancho Nipomo's tri tip sandwiches. Best in the area! If you want to try something new I suggest their asada fries. The portions here are pretty great too, plenty to take home and grub on for later. Even great customer service, highly recommend the food & service!!
(5)Jon S.
Food was good. Service was really bad. Particularly the management. Will not return until mangement changes. If i could give zero stars i would. Then they accused us of stealing an open tab and we didnt. Even if so they had cc #. So embarrrassed in front of family.
(1)John A.
Great food. Had the SM Fries enough as a meal in itself. Pulled pork was off the hook w chips n salsa a strong 5 stars. Live band on weekends w a nice variety of beer on tap. This is my new destination spot to eat.
(5)Jon M.
Pulled pork sandwich and tri tip sandwich are second to none. Hamburgers fish tacos and chicken dinner also excellent choices.
(5)Casey U.
While I've been an on-and-off resident of the Central Coast for over 20 years, there are still places which I wouldn't have been able to find without the help of the internet. Rancho Nipomo is exactly the sort of location which Yelp is good at finding: Small, Local, and simply outstanding in every sense of the word. If you go to Rancho Nipomo for anything at all, go for the tri-tip. Tender, perfectly salted, and slow-cooked, this tri-tip defines Central Coast, Santa Maria style barbecue. While Ranco Nipomo's tri-tip is great in a sandwich, such as the Central Coast Cheesesteak (which comes on a soft telos roll and features sautéed peppers, onions and cheese), its even better on their completely unique Santa Maria Fries, which are beer battered, and come with near-obscene amounts of tri-tip, nacho cheese, sour cream, refried beans and pico de gallo. When combined with the fantastic sauces at their exceptionally well-stocked salsa bar, these fries become one of my favorite gut-busting meals in the state, the fries staying crisp throughout the meal, and their superlative salsas adding a rich, spicy note to this fantastically textured, stupendously sized, extraordinarily flavorful dish. If I were to be given a choice of a last meal on Earth, I would strongly consider the Santa Maria Fries as an option Other menu items are exceptional as well, with the pulled pork sandwich, enrobed in a slightly sweet, rich sauce, and topped with crispy, flavorful coleslaw being another favorite of mine. Chili is hearty, moderately spicy, and features both tri-tip and chorizo(!), which gives it a depth of flavor not often found in this otherwise simple dish. The mexican side of the menu looks outstanding (and smells pretty fantastic too), although I haven't been able to stray far from my beloved tri-tip to try one of their burritos or tortas. It would be wrong for me not to mention the excellent service at Rancho Nipomo. Although I only come in (at most) once every three or four months when I pass through the area, the owner (who works the counter) remembers me when I come in, and is extraordinarily personable, no matter how swamped the restaurant may be. Overall: It would be a crime for me not to award five stars for Rancho Nipomo's outstanding offerings. Well worth a drive, pit-stop, or pilgrimage for one of their fine sandwiches or slabs of meat. Extras: Excellent craft beer available, featuring Figueroa Mountain and Firestone Walker, along with some others. The roasted green peppers in their salsa bar are extraordinarily spicy, as is the salsa marked "very-spicy". Patio seating available, live music on weekends. Located at the intersection of Highways 166 and 101. My goodness, the owner and servers are friendly.
(5)Zachary J.
If you are coming home from a long weekend, or if you have traveled for a distance, or if you are local looking for a good place to stop in and get some BBQ then this is the place for you. Rancho Nipomo is a locally owned and operated company and it shows in the food and the service. I am a stuck in my ways with this place, meaning I have eaten the pulled pork sandwhich alomost every time. It is a fresh baked roll, piled high with juicy pork, and if you think adding the coleslaw on top is weird, STOP RIGHT NOW! Its bomb! I have tried other items here, and they are equally as good and just as worthy to be mentioned in this review. Chili Verde Buritto! Its one of the best I have ever had. Rancho Nipomo has a great vibe with patio dining and live music on the weekends I believe. Cheers Yelpers!
(4)Cassandra M.
Ah-mahzing BBQ- we had baby back ribs (so tender & just perfectly seasoned) and a small pulled pork Sammy (which was HUGE for a small) & though we aren't local, we will DEFINITELY be back the next time we pass through town. Great slaw, good potato salad & the Sat night crowd was friendly & family oriented. The service was fast and the restaurant is really clean inside & on the patio too. This place is truly yumsville!
(5)April S.
amazing place!! Stopped here on our way home from beerfest in paso robles. The santa maria fries were the reason why and they did not dissapoint. Very big place too with friendly staff. I would stop there again when passing through on the freeway!!!
(5)Sheppard P.
Great first impression! The owner was the cashier at a very busy 3pm service as live blues concert was about to start. He was very gracious and generous when my dad and I told him it was our first time visiting. We purchased a half chicken combo and a pulled pork sandwich. The food is expensive and well made. The chicken beast is tender with a wonderful smoky flavor throughout. The pulled pork is on a soft buttery round bread. The sauce is sweet and tangy. There is a lot of meatiness to the same dish. The sides are unremarkable. Cole slaw with the sandwich. Beans rice and tortillas with the chicken. Overall, we will come back!
(5)Lance L.
About the only negative thing I can say is why oh why can't they be open on Monday! It seems like every other time I'm travelling in this area it happens to be Monday and I miss my Deli fix!
(5)Tracey A.
Best tri-tip I've ever had! The tri-tip burrito is amazing, and so are the nachos.
(5)Joseph B.
Great pulled pork sandwich! Good lineup of brews. Eat here regularly and its very consistent.
(4)Christina S.
I went back to this place a second time to make sure it did not disappoint,...and I am completely satisfied! This place is legit. The food tastes great and each menu item comes out as you would expect: cool, crisp coleslaw, golden, crunchy onion rings, flavorful, tender meat. The beans are a bit of a curveball, feeling a bit more like chili, but who doesn't love chili? Oh, and the service is excellent, they serve beer, sometimes have live music, have free refills on soda, offer large, pink pig sugar cookies for dessert and there is a brewery across the the street...So basically, this might be BBQ heaven. :)
(5)Melissa B.
This place was amazing! I stopped in in my way back down the coast to OC. I found it through Yelp and saw that the tri tip and pulled pork sandwiches were both amazing. I asked the man taking my order what his suggestion was. It tuned out he was the owner and bought me both so I could try them (since I was alone) they were both amazing. I could have drank the BBQ sauce alone. It was such a nice stop, and I will never forget how nice the owner was. Places like this are hard to come by these days. I highly recommend this place!
(5)Paul P.
Wow! Just wow! I am from Oklahoma and I have my own personal preferences and bias when it comes to BBQ. This is as good as I have had in California. The pulled pork sandwich was incredible, great bread and moist pork. The pulled pork nachos were perfect, the Burrito had great flavor and the service was incredibly nice. Next time I am out this way I will be back. Thank you!
(5)Kristen E.
BEST BBQ PLACE AROUND! Good Santa Maria BBQ is extremely hard find which is strange because we are a BBQing town, but many places around here suck! Dry and overlooked meat, sides are gross and plain, and the food is just below BBQ standards! Rancho Nipomo is #1 in my book! Everything is moist and so flavorful! The portions are crazy good and always leave feeling like my money was well spent :) everything I have ordered off of the menu has been BOMB! The prices are great and worth every penny! Do not waste your money on any other BBQ place like BBQ land lol GO TO RANCHO NIPOMO!
(5)Joanna R.
I've been here twice, the food here was amazing, both times!! And the service was good too, even though the first time we had lunch here the waitress dropped my taco salad on the table cause it slid off the plate, fail.... But they were pretty quick about making a replacement, even though by the time I got my food, the 4 others I was having lunch with were done. Anyhow, the place is pretty small and they do offer outdoor seating but you wanna make sure you go early if you're planning on going in for lunch, or don't go if you're in a hurry this place gets packed. Even though they stay busy they're pretty fast about getting your food to you. The menu is pretty big too, lots of great options, I can't wait to try their burgers out. Also keep in mind that they are closed on Mondays. Definitely try this place out!
(5)Paul S.
Food is awesome and the portions are LARGE. The owner Was working the register and was greeting every customer. The decor and patio was comfortable and clean. The beer was cold and the staff was On IT! Love having a great place like this on the central coast! Pulled Pork!! Fresh Bread!!
(5)Mrs. T.
Our go-to spot. Service is always friendly (except for a new young girl at the register, who clearly has zero interest in working there). Everything on the menu is superb! Great spot for lunch or dinner for locals, or those just passing through on the 101.
(5)Lori B.
I had the tri tip sandwich and it was very good. The bread that it came on was DELICIOUS! Toasted and really fresh. My Mom had the Santa Maria fries. There were 4 of us trying to help her and I think we only managed to get through 1/2 of it. The outdoor seating was great. I would definitely go back again.
(4)Lisa C.
This is Resteraunt is soooo much more than a BBQ joint. 1. The SERVICE is AMAZING. You are greeted at the door by Richard the owner. He is as warm as he is generous. His wait staff is efficient, fast and helpful. 2. The FOOD is even more AMAZING than the service. The meat is cooked to perfection. I tried the pulled pork and it was the first time I had this sandwich and the meat was tender AND juicy. The flavor was infused throughout every bite. The BBQ sauce just enhanced the smoky grill flavor. 3. The atmosphere is casual. Good music played at the perfect level. You can hear it and have a conversation. The Resteraunt was spotless! PLEASE CHECK THIS PLACE OUT!
(5)TennisBum P.
Is this a barbecue joint? A Mexican restaurant? Or a burger place? I saw people ordering all three. And the answer is, it doesn't matter. What matters is what the food is like. I got the pulled pork sandwich and a 50/50 side (fries and some onion rings). The pulled pork sandwich was good. The pork is not slathered in sweet KC style sauce (I like KC style, but I'm open to alternatives). It was very moist to the point of being soggy -- I suspect it was the dressing on the coleslaw that added so much liquid. The onion rings are not worth it. Standard breaded frozen variety. The fries are battered so they are very crispy on the outside (contrast to the In N Out variety). I'll wager their frozen, but they were crisp and tasty. I couldn't finish the entire basket. Is this the best barbecue I've had? No. But so far, it's the best place I've found to stop off and have a quick lunch when traveling on Highway 101 between Monterey and Ventura. There were a few flaws in the service, and order taking was slow. But this is a casual place, so no real issue there. It's not 5 stars "as good as it gets". I've had better barbecue. But I am a fan and will stop to sample more things on the menu.
(4)yoni s.
Get the tri trip. Some of the best I've ever had.
(5)Brooke A.
The food was really good. I am a vegetarian and asked for the California enchilada with the chicken on the side for my son. The enchilada was delicious!! The mac and cheese was also great although arrived at our table late. The only thing that left a bad taste in my mouth was my 2 boys were on the patio playing on the stage and the owner walked by and screamed at my children.
(3)Steve T.
Asada torta was excellent, definitely a better grade of meat/seasoning than most Mexican places. I do wish it had more asada, but it was done right. Probably the best asada torta I've ever tasted. The tri-tip fries which could of fed 4(It better for $14!) were a great compliment to the asada. You don't want to know the nutrition facts on this dish just stab it with a fork (preferably with kung fu Viking grip) and enjoy. Nice outside patio to enjoy the great weather along with your great food. Service was friendly as well. To think several years ago without yelp we would of driven right past it unless you were a local. Thanks yelpers And the 2 star review based on gluten??WTH? Reminds me of the time I was at In N Out and some lady asked for organic ketchup. LOL yeahhhhh.
(5)Andrew V.
If your hungry, and you like really good messy food, stop reading this, and go see Rich at Rancho Nipomo. This is real food folks. It's known for the bbq, but I think they have the best Mexican food in town as well. My recommendations are wet chile verde burrito, pulled pork and tri tip sandwiches. Bbq chicken combo is killer as well. It's a little expensive for the type of food, but well worth it if you consider the quality.
(5)Brad K.
Spot on little BBQ joint. Great pulled pork sandwich and some quality craft beer in the cooler. A must stop for the weary 101 traveler.
(5)Toni G.
Pulled off 101 for a late lunch totally based onYelp reviews. Couldn't have been happier with our meal. I had the baby pulled pork, could have/should have eaten only half. Husband had the dry ribs and raved about them and the side dishes. What could be more perfect? Live music...oh yeah, it had that too! This happy accident will become a deliberate 101 stop!
(5)Rose K.
One of our favorite spot to bring family and friends to from out of town. The Santa Maria Fries are to die for. A platter of French Fries covered in nacho cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream and topped off with Tri-Tip.
(5)Vanessa S.
Best pulled pork sandwich on the Central Coast! Enough to feed two or one very hungry man. Tri tip sandwich is also great and can't forget the loaded fries or nachos. They have a good beer selection as well and the live music is the cherry on top.
(5)Patty K.
For those Lookin for no Gluten... Santa maria Fries: I didn't ask but the fries looked like it has batter coated. Plus, the cheese is like the nacho cheese which usually contain gluten. I stay away from any cheese that is not "real" anyway. So, I couldn't partake in this dish. Everyone else said it was pretty good though. It looked definitely like ooey and gooey cheesy goodness. Super large serving for sharing only. Pulled Pork Sandwich: Again, due to the sandwich bun, couldn't try this one but my hubs said this was the only best thing we ordered. Full Rack of BBQ Ribs: BBQ can be one of those items that can be gluten free. I had a couple of the ribs and I highly regretted afterwards - suffered for 2 days. So, for those gluten avoiders, I say there are no real good gluten free options here. Plus the ribs were just alright. I'd rather do Phil's BBQ and know i won't be suffering from being gluten'ed Kids menu Available.
(2)Gary W.
Three must haves. 1. Pulled pork sandwich on a huge, pillowy soft homemade bun is sensational. 2. Mac and cheese is worth every cheesy calorie. Best ever had bar none. 3. Tri tip sandwich=$
(5)Annette L.
Ok, we finally made it down to Nipomo and ate at Rancho Nipomo. Glad we did. Brother in law was playing across street-great music. BBQ pork sandwich was great and French fries are delish. The place was hopping! Hubby said hamburger was darn good.
(5)Russ R.
This is where to find the best BBQ on the Central Coast!!! High Recommendations! This was not my first trip to Rancho Nipomo BBQ, and won't be the last. This place is a little off the beaten path, but once you find it you'll never forget where it is. I ordered 2 BBQ Briskit Sandwiches, Fries, Onion Rings, 2 soft drinks, and a cold Pacifico with lime, (total was $34.35) and it was all sooooo good. If I had to comment on anything, it would be we wanted just a little more BBQ sauce on the sandwichs (which they were happy to bring right out to our table). Their Onion rings are also unbelievably good, as are their fries, they both seem to be beer battered making them crispy and flavorful, not greasy at all. Next time we come I think we'll try a rack of their BBQ Ribs...my mouth is watering just thinking about that trip.
(5)Vanessa G.
A little pricy but well worth my money. LOVE their pulled pork sandwiches, sweet potato fries, and even their Chile rellenos (seems odd and out of place but so yummy!!) Owner is super nice. Not much room to sit indoors but more room outdoors to sit. The restaurant is kind of a "hole in the wall" place right north of Santa Maria but amazing food!
(5)Tracy V.
Crowed for Sunday lunch, and for good reason! The pulled pork sandwich was excellent, we got the coleslaw on the side - also terrific. We also had the smoked chicken plate which tasted fabulous!! Even the side of pinto beans tasted fresh and delicious.
(5)Veronica S.
Really great food! Not so much on the hot side far as sauce, they only have one sauce which is sweet and tasty!great chili dog and awesome pull pork sandwiches! Great portions!! Awesome entertainment !!! Seating kinda crowded but delicious food!
(5)Carol S.
Consistently great food. I recently got the half smoked BBQ'd chicken. It was the best ever. And for the price, it could not be beat. I had left overs for a week. Richard and his staff are perfect. I just wish they were open on Mondays. The salsas are so fresh and so tasty. I love their chile rellenos with two servings of pinto beans instead of the rice and refried beans but their rice is good, too. Just love those pinto beans!
(5)Oscar D.
was not too impressed with the tri tip sandwich BUT! the enchiladas here are the best i ever had... so i really recommend their enchiladas here!!
(4)Anthony N.
Food and staff were great. They have a nice relaxing patio on the side as well. Would have been nice to have beer on tap though.
(4)Sam H.
Amazing barbecue burger. The side dishes are hidden away on the back of the menu. Not that they are needed, the burger itself was huge and delicious.
(4)Matt W.
Best restaurant for the money anywhere near Santa Maria. The owners are almost always there and they go out of there way to make everyone feel welcome. Good atmosphere, relaxed attitude. Nice outdoor seating area. TV inside most likely playing whatever football game is on. So many great things to try... never had anything at this restaurant that I did not like. - Chili Verde Burrito, wet, with cheese (~$11) - Amazing, so good you just have to try it. I literally had to buy one in a to-go box to take to a friend because it was so good I had to share. The size of the burrito is big enough for 2 people to split it and still be satisfied. You can taste the slight smokiness of the pork even through the salsa verde, the combination is so tasty. - If you really want an even bigger burrito they have the BA burritos. Badass Burritos made with 2 tortilla shells and extra ingredients thrown in. It's as big as a normal mans forearm from elbow to wrist. - Tri tip Dip (~$9), a tri tip sandwich on a delicious Telera bun served with a side of Au Jus. Tri Tip is a staple of the Santa Maria area and they do justice to it with this sandwich. - Pulled Pork sandwich(~9), not too sweet, has some nice spices going on, the coleslaw on top is nice and not all soggy feeling. - Burgers (~$6-10), the burgers are good. They have that homemade feel to the patty with real substantial toppings and the Telera buns are just so good. They also have smaller burgers which are more comparable to In-n-Out burgers. The Dummy burger is a double burger on a more standard hamburger bun that comes with the typical lettuce, tomato, pickles and costs ~ $3.50 I think. It beats In-n-Out burger any time. - BBQ Beef Brisket sandwich (~$7) Nice and tender, a bit sweet for me but some people probably love it that way. - Baja dog, a hot dog wrapped in bacon covered in onions and has pickles and mustard on it, another cheap option at ~ $3.50. - Ribs (~$25), the most expensive thing on the menu by far. But it comes with a lot of sides. Very good, I had them dry so that I could taste the seasoning they used. The taste, texture, and moistness were spot on and I could not ask for much more from a slab of ribs. -The fries are very good. Not sure if they are made in house or not but they are slightly addictive because of the crunchy texture. -Onion Rings, I liked them but I think those are overpriced. You get maybe 10-12 onion rings for around $5-6. - Chips and guac, We liked it very much but there was not enough chips to dip in the guac, and we ended up having to buy more chips. Wish they would just throw in some more chips on request since $5 is a bit pricey for a small serving of chips with a decent amount of guac. They have a little salsa bar with some charred jalapenos and other good stuff like cilantro and onions so you can add those little tweaks to your food. You can't go wrong in this place... most likely you will just wish you had tried some of the amazing looking things you will see other people eating!
(5)Sarah B.
This place is a gem. Right off the freeway, great service and delicious food. I'm surprised it took us this long to discover it!
(4)Elizabeth K.
So very tasty! Their pulled pork and Tri-Tip sandwiches rock! Beer selection is good too, plus they had live music this last Sunday. The staff is very friendly. The fries are plenty to share between two to three people.
(4)Jesse D.
Best chili verde burrito ever. Everything on the menu is fantastic. Owner and his son are super nice and provided excellent service. They just opened a bar and have 20 beers on tap and all of the figueroa mountain beers. This is a must have if your in the area it's right of the 166.
(5)Jeff H.
Best pulled pork sandwiches and great and friendly staff.
(5)Jess V.
Not that all great like its said out to be
(2)Tony L.
Pulled pork, Santa Maria fries, good craft beers, super-friendly service... this place is a must stop!
(5)Adrian L.
Bbq pulled pork, santa maria tri tip fries, trip tip enchiladas were very tasty. Great selection of craft beers on hand! Richard and servers were very friendly! Santa maria trip fries are huge and can be shared amongst many!
(4)K H.
5 stars all the way!! The Food here is AMAZING,So good & delicious. I come here any chance I get.I am never disappointed when I come here and the customer service is excellent.I recommend to everyone!
(5)Ruben G.
Ask for Richard, owner, or Cisco Kid, they are the nicest people ever and a couple of really good people. Tell them Ruben G sent you for your first experience!!
(5)Javier J.
very friendly staff, it's the least awkward place to eat alone at that I've been to in a while. The food was great the sandwiches I think aren't as amazing as they're told to be but still very delicious. Good sized portions! The mac and cheese taste was very generic though. I'll have to visit this place another time and try out a few of their other things.
(3)Chris S.
Amazing! I can't think of a way better word to describe the food and service here. I've had about half of the menu so far and haven't been let down once. One of my favorite places on the coast!
(5)Carol B.
Love the food, love the sevice. Try the pulled pork or tri tip sandwich. So good. Also the best Mac and cheese ever. Oh and the fries. I could go on and on cause it's all so good!!
(5)Bristol C.
So good! I love the combination of barbecue and Mexican! And they do them both right! The chile is even spicy and real (from this New Mexicans perspective). The bun on the tri tip sandwich was that perfect consistency of toasted butteriness and fluffy scrumptiousness. Chile relleno was a hard batter and sealed in a legit chile. My friend got the chile colorado con nopales... "good, but the sandwich and bbq sauce were the best thing." zing!
(5)Brad S.
I went in search for iconic Santa Maria barbecue, and though I believe I found it at Rancho Nipomo, I didn't expect the place to be located ten minutes outside the city and off a nondescript part of the 101. The tri-tip is a lean piece of meat, and I don't know how it got included along with those cuts of animals that have high amounts of connective tissue. The sandwich was smoked as well as it was going to get, but if you applied the same tenderness to something like a brisket, I would tell you that brisket wasn't done yet. Still, the sandwich was a heaping helping of meat, and combined with the tri-color beans, was more than a meal. So adding a 50/50 basket of onion rings and fries (more 75/25 of fries to rings) to the party was definitely too much food. Rancho Nipomo also has a hefty section of the menu devoted to Mexican food, and though I didn't indulge, I took advantage of the salsa bar. The fresh-made salsas were really great, and I used the hottest one to create an interesting dynamic with the sweet KC-style sauce that was offered. If combining salsa and barbecue sauce is wrong, then I don't want to be right.
(4)Ted R.
First of all, this place needs better signage near the freeway; I had no idea this place even existed if it wasn't for Yelp! A friend and I both got the full sized pulled pork sandwiches; I did like that they offered a "baby" version for a few bucks less. I got the slaw on the side due to a fear of mayonnaise-y cabbage, but was pleasantly surprised by the tangy, not-too-heavily-mayonnaised slaw I received and nearly used the whole cup! The sandwich itself was pretty well loaded with shredded pork that was delicious and moist. Only a light dressing of BBQ sauce was placed on the meat providing just enough moisture without making the bun a soggy mess. I would definitely come back again for the sandwich. We also split a side of fries which was way more than enough on top of the sandwich. They were crisp, hot and coated in a nice rough texture. They're likely out of a frozen bag, but overall were pretty good and would get again. We passed on the onion rings since I usually save that indulgence for Orcutt Burger who has the best in the area. Soda machine lacked Coke Zero which was a bummer. Get there before noon since as we left at 12:15, there was a line out the door...on a Wednesday!
(4)Suzy G.
The best BBQ tri tip sandwich EVER. Oh my god! They do everything so right. And a cool bunch of dudes. My husband's dragged me around to every bbq place in Santa Maria and Nipomo. This place wins hands down. Now that we've finally moved to the area for good, this is where I'll be bringing visiting friends and family to show off how great my new community's cuisine is.
(5)N L.
We stopped by this place on our way to San Francisco for lunch. We had the tri tip sandwich and the chicken taco. The tri tip sandwich was very good. It was served on a cheese bread which was very unique. The BBQ sauce was served on the side...it was a little too sweet. The chicken taco was good. Lots of chicken. This place is a located in a random area, kinda shady looking area. But, the food was good! Probably won't be back without my bf! :)
(4)Erin M.
Really fantastic! Went here tonight for dinner while in town visiting family. We wanted some good bbq, and found this place on Yelp. Convinced the family to try a new place, and they swore if it was no good, they'd blame me. No need to worry, as we all left smiling and stuffed. I ordered the "baby" pulled pork, and laughed when it came. THIS was the baby?! It was huge! The coleslaw was creamy and crisp, the pork tender and juicy, and the BBQ sauce a little on the sweet side. My hubby ordered the tri tip sandwich and I had to beg for a bite. It was flavored and smoked *perfectly*. Loved the bread, buttered and grilled before loading it up. Our kids had standard kid fare -corn dog and hot dog - but could not get past the fries. They were battered or something special, because they truly were delicious and addicting. The service was phenomenal, including a personal welcome from the man at the register and a handshake and complementary chips and salsa when he found out we were from out of state. We have added it to our must-eat list for every visit to town.
(5)Cheryl R.
We've been there twice within a month and ordered the same thing both times - it was so good we had to have it again. When I saw the Memphis nachos on the menu I figured it would either be delicious or awful. It was delicious. Chips, cheese sauce, pulled pork and BBQ sauce - finger-lickin' tasty. My husband had the Emmitt burger, which is a 1/3 pound burger with bacon, onion rings and BBQ sauce. I usually don't eat to much BBQ sauce, but their sauce is good, a little tangier than most. Service has been relatively quick and friendly. It's a small space, so it fills up quickly at the busy times. We'll be back again, and hopefully try something else good!
(5)Ross B.
Rancho Nipomo is a great BBQ joint right up the road from Santa Maria or a few exits south of Pismo Beach. Awesome side-of the road-house / outside bar-ish atmosphere that hosts bands and has a great area to just chill for a large group of folks. It is literally 15 seconds off of the US101-CA166East exit. Easy access and tons of parking. Had the Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich which was HUGE. Wet tomato-base with the coleslaw. One of the best BBQ Sandwiches I have had outside of the Carolinas. The Santa Maria Fries was an interesting dish. A ginormous portion of French fries smothered in cheese sauce, cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream and tiny pieces of tri-tip. We couldn't finish this. A bit too much and I wouldn't ever order this again. The salsa from behind the counter is amazing. I finished the entire container. I'd drive a few miles here for the salsa alone. Place also has a salsa bar. Great chill atmosphere, especially if you sit outside. I'm only deducting a star for a few minor things and improvements they could make: - Self-service tables. For the price you pay, should have full table service. - Beers on draft would be nice. - The cashier / server seemed a little annoyed but it could have just been a bad long day. Put a smile on that face.
(4)Megan V.
What a great place! We ordered tri-tip, pulled pork, mac and cheese, etc. etc. - and it was all good. Love that they have the paper towels on the table because you need them! When we're in the area next, we'll definitely be back.
(4)Morgan R.
This was a new find for my family, which surprises me as my Gma lives in Santa Maria. It was a carnivores delight and oh so yummy! The pulled pork sandwhiches my boyfriend and father ordered were HUGE, they both really enjoyed them, saying the BBQ sauce was very sweet. I ordered a veggie burrito, which was super yummy, I love beans, and we all split the Memphis nachos. Get the nachos. Workout the next day. YUM I'm glad we found this place as we have exhausted our Santa Maria lunch options!
(4)CB F.
Good food and in large portions at a low price. The service was a bit slow because they were very busy.
(4)Javier J.
My god, the tri-tip sandwich here is heavenly. It comes in a warm bun that is like biting into fun delicious pillows of air. Then the load of meat hits your mouth and you should be in another state of mind. And really, for an atheist to be professing to any sort of god should give you a hint that this sandwich is good. It's so good that I had to go twice on my trip up north. Once on the way up and while leaving the Santa Maria area, and then the hour or so drive from Paso Robles really just was unbearable in thinking "when am I going to get here?!" The service is fairly fast and word to the wise, the tri-tip is served till it's sold out. I'm lucky that I got in under the radar both times. It would be a mighty big let down not to have it in my hands. What makes the sandwich is the meat has that nice sauce they give you on the side. It's watery and you just really can't have enough of it. The sucker pours on so good. If you're driving by the area, hell, if you are just massively craving one, I'm more than willing to 'take a drive' from Los Angeles to get out on the open road and grab a tri-tip. Sometimes a nice drive is great, especially when you have the motivating force of this sandwich in hand. A must stop by road side stretch your legs and your stomach. Right next door is the Santa Maria brewery as well.. How can you not partake in a little of both?!
(5)Andrew E.
Great people and extensive menu packed with awesome eats. I always make it a point to leave home hungry on a trip up/down the coast so I can stop through and grab some smoked greatness. Recent addition; a dozen beers on draft! Green Flash yum.
(5)Andrew A.
The line was going out the door when I arrived yet service was quick. I had the tri tip sandwich which was delicious especially with a cold beer. A little pricey, but well worth it. This place was recommended by many people I know that live in that area, after eating here I can see why.
(5)PAUL V.
My first 5 stars! From the service to the excellent salsa bar to the wonderful food, RNDBBQ is wonderful. The pulled pork and Santa Maria style BBQ chicken are explosions of flavor and succulent-ness. You can go to Jocko 's you have to go here!
(5)Marina O.
We were looking for a place to accommodate our casual day, with a great meal, and this place delivered. Quick and attentive service, and everything was amazing! The tri tip sandwich was amazing, the BBQ chicken was really juicy and perfectly done, and the pulled pork lived up to its reviews. Awesome BBQ place!
(5)Grace R.
Santa Maria fries are like carne asada fries, but with tri tip - a local specialty. Their menu is filled with other popular BBQ dishes like ribs and pulled pork. The food will keep ya coming back!!
(5)foo d.
Tried the tri-tip sandwich. It was just ok, not great. The meat was ok, I was hoping for a more smokey flavor. The BBQ sauce could've been more tangy. The sandwich's Teleta bread was pretty good, though.
(3)Frances L.
If you think that California lacks its own barbecue culture, you are surely mistaken. I have heard this sentiment over and over again throughout the years from proud Texan friends and folks who have grown up with their own regional 'cues in Kansas City, Memphis, North Carolina, and so on. But truth be told, California does have it's own distinct style- developed some time in the mid-1800s by local ranchers. And it's damn good, too. We were able to re-live some major food memories of my childhood this weekend as we ventured up the 101 northbound to Paso Robles. En route to the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival, we found ourselves stuck on the I-5 N for a few hours due to a brush fire near Castaic that shut down all lanes of traffic for miles. When we were finally able to get off of the 5 near Valencia, we hopped onto the 126W to the 101 for a much less congested trip up the Pacific coast. Falling behind schedule, we decided to stop for dinner just outside of Santa Maria in nearby Nipomo. Rancho Nipomo Deli & BBQ has only been around since 2006, but it's become quite a beloved destination for tender, juicy barbecue Santa Maria-style. Located in a rather isolated area off the 101, Rancho Nipomo has all the elements of a Santa Maria bbq joint; hearty portions of tri-tip and pulled pork in a Mexican-American inspired menu where you can get smoked tri-tip enchiladas or regular ole' pulled pork sandwiches. We opted for two smoked tri-tip sandwiches; a regular bbq sandwich and a tri-tip dip served with rich au jus. Both sandwiches were piled high with tender thinly sliced beef and served on the most amazing locally made Telera rolls. At under $10 each, these filling sandwiches were well worth the investment. We also ordered a tri-tip taco smothered in fresh guacamole and a side order of crinkle cut fries. Add a bottle of Mexican coke and their luscious tres leches cake and you've got yourself a simple meal to remember.
(5)Kim S.
How have I been a supposed "Central Coast local" and not heard about this place until just recently? A friend recently tipped me off to Rancho Nipomo Deli & BBQ- I'm writing my review specifically around the formerly known as "Asada Fries" (they're now called "Santa Maria Fries"), which are a meal in itself. A small establishment located directly underneath the Santa Maria bridge and right next door to a brewery- win/win situation in my opinion. Inside of the place is clean and smells of delicious BBQ aromas. Yum. We called in to place an order for pick-up, which was ready at the time they specified it would be. While we were waiting for our food to come out, the owner came out and asked us a little about ourselves, where we were from, if we'd been to Rancho Nipomo before, and then gave us a coupon for a free pulled pork sandwich! Score! I can't speak openly about the pulled pork sandwiches, but the "Santa Maria Fries" (which actually cost more than the sandwiches) were heavenly. Heavenly and huge. I've never seen so many fries, cheese, asada, sour cream, etc. in one take out box in all my life. I couldn't finish the entire thing in one sitting, but I enjoyed every second of the "meal." I'm not a Santa Maria local, but I do have friends here, and I will be back for sure.
(4)Jim D.
Great pulled pork. I had the coleslaw on the side and didn't particularly like it. If they have beans or something else I will try to substitute. I will definitely be back.
(4)The C.
Nice place and great BBQ Chicken. I had the half chicken and it was great!
(4)Leslie S.
Simply put, great food and service.
(4)Jackie S.
Rancho Nipomo has delicious food, friendly service, and a great atmosphere. It is a little small inside, but has a huge outdoor space with a lot of seating. On some Saturdays they have local bands playing music, which really makes for a lovely atmosphere. The BBQ is very yummy, but my favorite thing is the Chile Verde Burrito. It is just packed with flavor and the sauce has the perfect amount of zing to it. Top it off with fresh chopped cilantro and you will keep going back for more. Delic! We also love the fact that they have roasted jalapenos out to enjoy with any meal. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the area!
(5)Jerry S.
I love this place always great food and service. However, Last night the food was great but the service was not. We ordered and the people who came in 15 minutes later ordered and we waited 15 minutes more seemed to know the cook got there food before us. Then we only got our food because we went up to the counter to check on our food, then only to find out it was wrong when we got home. This is so unlike the service we usually find here. I hope it doesn't happen again.
(2)John H.
Here's the good: The sandwiches were good and the bread excellent. The bad: it is around fifteen bucks for a trip tip sandwich and a drink. For those kinds of prices, I would expect to be eating in a nicer area than an industrial area in Nipomo next to a pest control company.
(3)Erica K.
Great stop over, right off the freeway! We ordered the "small" pulled pork sandwich and a burger. Both were delicious! Buns were fresh and soft, meat was juicy and flavorful and bbq sauce was yummy. Parking was easy and service was fast and great.
(5)latheena t.
My husband is from Texas so we have a high bar for BBQ. This place is very lovely. Although you aren't going to get that same Texan BBQ-smokey-meat flavor, the sauces are AMAZING. I love hot sauce and the Have Mercy is by far the best I've had in years. It's made by one of the cooks with fire roasted peppers - and yes, her name is Mercy. I loved it so much I asked if they sell it. Hearing how much I liked it, the owner told us the story of the sauce and threw in two big containers for free!! Ask him the story if you go, it's worth it. You could not find a sweeter restauranteur!
(5)Barry P.
All I can say is Wow! I was in town from Atlanta and The owner, Rich, treated me to his amazing beef tip sandwich and pulled pork sandwich. Beef was slow cooked and thinley sliced. Absolutely the best ever, especially with the mixture of hot and sweet sauces.
(5)Jean-Henri W.
One of my favorite spots. I have yet to have something here that I dislike. As others have mentioned the Santa Maria Fries are the dish to get. They smoke the tritip rather than the usual grill method, which gives a rich smokey flavor. The Mexican offerings are just as good, I really enjoyed the Chile Colorado with nopales. They make a mean chili dog too. They have a small but quality beer selection. Thumbs up for the fig mountain brews. I have read in some reviews that the staff was rude but I have never had a problem, the young men that work here are attentive and courteous. Maybe there were some bad seeds that are no longer there. At any rate, if you live here or are passing through this is a great place to get something to eat and a beer.
(5)Christi P.
Oh My Goodness! Met the Mr for lunch here today he is working on the Santa Maria bridge which is 2 minutes away from here. The Mr and I shared the large size pulled pork sammie with a side of 50/50 which sadly we threw most of away. They weren't thrown out because they weren't delicious, but because we were stuffed to the gills!! The smaller size could have been split and more tasty fries and rings could've been consumed, but the guys he works with who recommended this place, warned him that it was tiny. I honestly don't think I can eat dinner- my muffin top is now a diesel size inner tube. The pulled pork was on a fresh tasty roll with coleslaw on the side so we could add as/if we liked ( I LOVE Coleslaw on BBQ sandwiches). The meat was perfect, just the right amount of sauce so that you can still taste the smokey goodness. It is not cheap- $9.99 for Sandwich PLENTY for 2 people, $5.50 for Frings enough to feed 4 people. The special today was $9.99 for the smaller size sandwich, fries and a drink. This is NOT Carls, Wendy's or Mickey's, this is REAL Santa Maria BBQ Folks! The place is clean with indoor and outdoor seating, staff is friendly, nice salsa bar and rolls of paper towels on your table. You place your order and pay when you walk in the door and they give you a number and deliver your order to your table. We will definitely be back oh so yummy!
(5)Patrick B.
I have been going here since they opened, I was there before opening (installed phone lines). the food is excellent! on your first visit you have to get the pulled pork sandwich its a meal. the pork ribs are the best I call them meat Popsicle sticks. nice outdoor seating. and Richie is a great guy, never had a bad meal. oh almost forgot try the "Memphis nachos. nachos with pulled pork :)
(5)Edwyn D.
This is definitely a hidden gem along the 101. If you didn't find this place on yelp or someone didn't tell you about it, you probably would have never found it. I found this place using yelp. It seriously is hidden among several construction type businesses. I went to visit my sister during Thanksgiving in Santa Maria and I asked her if she knew about his place. She honestly didn't know about it and I said it looks like its worth a try. When we got there, I was impressed at how it looked. It was busy and it looked like everyone was enjoying their food. There were lots of choices and they definitely do know BBQ. The items that fused bbq and hispanic cuisines was what really piqued my interest. I got the Tri-Tip Enchiladas and the Asada Fries. I had to try their Asada fries because I've have carne asada fries from san diego I've honestly didn't think they would do that waayyy up here. The food is excellent. However, I thought that adding their salsas to the food, made it taste even better. The person who was taking the orders was really nice. He seemed like he was the owner and to quote him "You're in for a treat!" Honestly, it was definitely a treat. The staff is excellent and they make you feel welcome even if it is your first time. I will not hesitate to come back the next time I'm here. I definitely will try their pull pork sandwich. Everyone was ordering it and clearly was their signature item. If you traveling up or down the 101 and want some good food, this place is worth stopping in for. Just don't get lost, it literally is just off the 101 and the 166.
(5)Navin B.
I didn't have the bbq but had the enchiladas. A long wait and it was ok. Nothing to remember.
(3)Benjamin R.
Little out of the way place... don't miss it!!! The tri tip sandwich was so yummy... the homemade sauce is delicious. Highly recommended!!!
(4)Bongiorno M.
A VERY noteworthy clean, fresh and lively Carne Asada in the middle of nowhere! Actually I may just deviate slightly from my northern treks to pop this spot. Piles of warm Carne Asada on top of a crisp cool garden salad fits the bill. BONUS: Try there salsa medley as a dressing substitute for your salad ;)
(4)Betty M.
Was staving on our way home from Los Alamos yesterday. Saw some good reviews on Yelp for this place and decided to stop in. It is not fancy, but the food is great and the portions were large. We had enough for two meals. The cook delivered my food and told me he made it. That was special. I will be going back.
(5)Jamie N.
Best pulled pork sandwich I've EVER had. I have a smoker and this is the best smoked pulled pork sandwich I've had. And it was huge. We bough 1lb to take home. The BBQ is also awesome. There were two guys playing great music on the patio on a Sunday afternoon. The owner RIchard is really nice. We stopped by 8/18 on our way home to Nor Cal from touring colleges. Just read about it on yelp.
(5)Brandi G.
I've only ever had the Pulled Pork Sandwich here. It's so delicious that I haven't wanted to try anything else. Although so many things look good. the prices are a bit high and it stinks that they're closed on Monday's.
(4)Di K.
move over carne asada fries..i have a new fav. Santa Maria fries!!!...so crispy, gooey, salty and spicy at the same time. my mouth waters just thinking about it! pulled pork sandwich is also very good and good beer selection. nice way to unwind after work :) service is very friendly. only complain is how customers would smoke outside of the restaurant and outdoor seating area
(4)Rich S.
Why Rancho Nipomo Deli & BBQ tonite? Well, the Yelp community had it at 4.5 stars, it's close to home, and a buddy from Alabama said, "This place has some of the best pulled pork I've ever had -- including back home." Wow -- I've lived in AL, and those folks take their BBQ seriously! Time to check it out for ourselves. The result? Well, 5 stars about covers it! PROS: Restaurant was spotless--from the outdoor patio to the bathrooms, this place was clean! Excellent customer service: the young guy at the register was very friendly and polite, and seemed genuinely pleased we were there. The menu theme was interesting: BBQ and Mexican food!? I got the green chili verde burrito, smothered, and w/ extra cheese--brought sweat to my brow! And the flavors? Outstanding! Pork was tender and the rice and beans, while flavorful, didn't overwhelm -- the best part was the green chili sauce -- superb! My wife had the pulled pork sammie. I stole a bite (or two) . . . sauce was sweet yet didn't overtake the juicy pork; coleslaw was crispy and creamy; and the bun was fresh and didn't get soggy. Damn fine sammie--superb pulled pork! We also threw in the 50-50 fries & rings -- crinkle fries and onion rings with a tasty, crisp batter. Yummy compliment to the pulled pork sammie! CONS: (crickets) Can't wait to get back to RN Deli & BBQ! For my next trip, I'm trying the tri-tip sammie. BTW, tonight the owner came out and asked us how the meal was, and we told him we heard about his place on Yelp. He then gave us his business card with a note for a free pulled pork sammie! Classy move! RS
(5)Jesse G.
I love all sorts of food and have tried alot of places, no BBQ or mexican joint comes close to this place and with great prices and friendly service to top it off. I am the type of person who finds that one good dish at a place and I keep on getting the same thing, but here you cant go wrong with anything on the Menu. Everytime I go l like to keep trying new things along with my pull pork sandwich.
(5)Alyssa D.
YUM, YUM, YUM. This is by far my favorite place to go for some good BBQ! It seems like everyone in Santa Maria thinks they can do SM style BBQ, but more often than not it sucks! But Rancho Nipomo does SM BBQ right!! Try the tri tip sandwich, I usually get a side of coleslaw with it...it's HEAVEN! They have a salsa bar with awesome fresh salsa that tastes great on anything there. The atmosphere is great, I like to eat on the patio on the side, there is plenty of shade and it is always clean. The service is great, I don't know the owners name, but he usually recognizes my boyfriend and I and greets us with a smile. I recommend this restaurant to all of my friends, definitely worth your time and money! I will be a lifelong fan, I hope they open up another closer to Orcutt!
(5)Scott B.
Driving down to Santa Barbara for the weekend and couldn't pass by Santa Maria without eating tri tip. We got the tri tip sandwich along with the pulled pork sandwich. Both were awesome. 1/2 lb of meat on each. Loved the coleslaw on the pulled pork sandwich. Would never have thought to do that but when in Rome. Our waiter, Richard, was great. He talked about things to do during the weekend and was full of enthusiasm. Loved the place so much we decided to stop in again on the drive back to the Bay Area.
(4)Ryder S.
This is a great stop on the 101 freeway as you make your way up and down the state of California. The food is solid, the service is fine and the location is convenient. I found Rancho Nipomo courtesy of Yelp. It was a great find. They feature BBQ and Mexican food with a few other roadhouse favorites like chili dogs. My daughter had a bean and cheese burrito. My wife ordered the pulled pork sandwich, and I had the Carnitas torta. The bean and cheese burrito was great. The tortilla was pure quality and they used real cheese. My Carnitas torta was excellent. The bread was fresh, the meat was good quality. They also have a fantastic salsa bar with some wickedly good salsa (spicy and non-spicy). The only shortcoming of the meal was the BBQ Pork. I think they use the same pork they use on the Carnitas torta, but the BBQ sauce they use has way too much honey in the recipe. It was just too sweet. The meat was quality, so if they can fix their BBQ sauce that would be great. If they really are using the same meat for either dish, then they have some more work to do up the preparation chain on the carnitas v. pulled pork. This place is literally one minute off the freeway, so it is easy to get to a great pit stop on a road trip. The bathroom was clean and nice. The service staff was super friendly. I will stop here on future trips on the 101 to enjoy this little heaven of a pit stop. You should do the same, too. The bill was about 30 bucks and worth every penny. It is a good value.
(3)Matthew B.
After the first time I went here, I began to crave their tri tip. So, I did what any rational person would do: I drove 2.5-3 hours from LA to Santa Maria to get my fix. I ordered the tri tip sandwich, which is what got me hooked the first time. It was just as excellent as the first time. I also tried the tri tip enchiladas and loved them. I can't wait to go back and try some more of their food.
(5)M P.
I have worked in the restaurant industry for a good few years now, but it is a rare thing that I find such a place as this. I was on one of the last legs of a cross country motorcycle trip when I found myself in Nipomo CA - committed to not doing fast food, I found this little gem and decided it was perfect for my lunch stop. The friendly service and food were top notch, tasty, fresh and very reasonably priced. Were it just for the food, I would have left there happy and willing to recommend, but what I was given afterwards will make me a fan of this place for life. Shortly after finishing my meal, I went back out to check on my bike and my rear had gone completely flat while I was eating. I was thankful it didn't happen while riding, but I now realized I was stuck in a place with no idea where to go/what to do to get it fixed with another couple hundred miles still left in my day. I went back in, distressed, and spoke with Richard. He immediately grabbed his keys and helped guide me, as I limped along slowly on a dead tire, to a nearby repair shop. Thanks to his amazing altruism for which he asked/expected nothing, I found a place that had me back on the road in just a couple hours. Were it not for him, I honestly have no idea what I would have done and most likely would have been stranded for the night. My eternal thanks to such a great restaurant and such a generous/friendly person. I promise you no lip-service when I say that I will make a serious point of swinging by any time I in California from now on, and the only negative here is that I don't have such a place where I live. Thank you (especially Richard) so very much!
(5)CandD P.
I couldn't believe I'd lived in Santa Maria for 2 1/2 years before trying this place. The problem is that BBQ places here in northern Santa Barbara Co. and southern San Luis Obispo Co. are a dime a dozen. But, this one sets its self apart. The service is fantastic because they really care about you enjoying the experience and they are confident in their product. Cute place with outdoor seating. The food is amazing. They have a homemade salsa bar. The pulled pork is their best seller and I can see why. The tri-tip sandwich is very good. The wet chili verde burrito might be my favorite though. This is now, by far and away, my go to BBQ.
(4)Matt W.
Awesome food. It doesn't look like much on the outside. Or the inside for that matter. But the food is great, the service is wonderful and the price is right. My family and I loved it.
(5)W d.
This place was awesome. Found this on the way home from Pismo. I had a chicken sandwhich which was excellent. I tried my daughters grilled chicken and it was smoked and tender. Would defintely make this a place to stop next time I am in the area. All the Staff was friendly. They had some live music which was descent.
(5)C I.
Probably not the best tri-tip sandwich in Santa Maria, but value wise, you can't beat it. Same goes with the pulled pork. For $10, you get a huge sandwich (cut in half) and quality meat. Maybe I'm just used to having my tri-tip sandwich on a French roll or something, but it was still a good sandwich... don't get me wrong. Top it off with salsa from the salsa bar (grab a grilled jalapeno while you're at it) and you're set. I've yet to try the Mexican food, but it all sounded soooo good. I'll definitely be coming back. Great selection of beer too. Can't really find anything negative about the place other than the location... it's a little out of the way. But if you're on a mission to try Santa Maria's best bbq spots... this place has to be on your list to try so you can judge it yourself!
(4)James M.
good food and the best sauce I've ever tasted. Had the tri tip sandwich and it was good but suspect it was made earlier in the day and it was cooked too much for me I like my tri tip med rare. great friendly service and a wide selection of bottled beer.
(4)M.N. C.
This place is unbelievably good! Real, smoked meats - unlike other places that claim to have smoked meats but taste like boiled stew meat - the meat here is wonderfully smoked, tender and flavorful. My favorites are the pulled pork & coleslaw sandwiches and the brisket sandwiches. Generous portions and friendly staff - I highly recommend!
(5)Diana S.
Excellent bbq pork and tri tip, really. Had a long wait, because they were busy but more because I was in the can when my order was called and I didn't ask about it until I had been waiting for quite a while. That's what happens to newbies, so be aware!
(4)Jared G.
I love barbecue. I love tri tip. I want to love this place but just can't. I came through town wanting a taste of the legendary Santa Maria style bbq tri-tip. So I came in and ordered a sandwich. The meat was seasoned well, but was cut a little too thin. I grew up with the idea of tri tip served with salsa instead of bbq sauce but I tried it anyway. It was basically molasses with some spices in it. Way too sweet for me, and didn't compliment the seasoning of the meat. The roll wasn't the hearty, crusty sourdough that can stand up to sauce or salsa, and was soggy by the third bite or so. On the other hand, the cole slaw and salsa were awesome, and the place gets an extra star for having a geocache behind the counter. Just say the password...
(3)M J.
Went here based on Yelp reviews and it didn't disappoint! Best tri-tip sandwich I have had in a long time. It was huge! My husband enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich and brought home half of it because it was so large. The staff was wonderful! We will be back!
(5)Valerie M.
They have the best pull pork sandwiches here! I've also tried their tortas & burritos and all are yummy! I come here all the time!
(5)Joshua M.
Went here for lunch over the weekend after getting off a flight into Santa Maria. Anytime I am back in the Central Coast I crave some good tri-tip. Rancho Nipomo came recommended and did not disappoint. I had the Trip-tip sandwich with regular fries. Great portion size and awesome selection of salsa and hot sauces from mild to HOT. Seating inside is somewhat limited but they also have a nice patio outside to sit which is where I opted eat. I'll be back again.
(5)Harry S.
We stopped in twice for lunch on a road trip. On the way to LA we enjoyed the tri-tip and pulled pork sandwiches. On the way back we savored a chile verde burrito, taco salad in (huge) tortilla bowl, and (off the daily specials) a 'cheese steak sandwich' made of chopped & grilled tri-tip, peppers, and onions on their soft roll. Also, a side order of chili (small) for $1.50. That chili was maybe the best I've tasted; spicy, with a mixture of ground beef and tri-tip chunks. This joint is clean, nice ambiance, with real talent in the kitchen. It almost makes we wish I drove to LA more often.
(5)Arleena K.
Excellent! from taste, to friendly and efficient staff- a hidden gem for sure!
(5)Helen S.
If you are looking for good food look no futher. This is the place. Their pulled pork sandwiches are the best I've ever had. The meat is smoked to perfection. Reminds me of good ole Missouri BBQ. Everything is made fresh right down to the bun. It is casual dining at a fair price. The burritos are very tasty too!
(5)Alison D.
WOW! First of all, I was blown away by the friendliness of the staff. The owner Richard was superbly helpful! I ended up ordering the BBQ Tri-Tip Sandwich and it was as succulent as it was delicious. I selected sides of the West Coast Chili Beans and Mama's Original Potato Salad - both were great! They offered multiple options for salsa/sauce to have on the tri-tip sandwich and I tried them all: (hot) "Have Mercy" salsa - this one is very spicy, (hot) tomatilo salsa, (mild) tomatoe, onion based salsa and also the BBQ sauce - all were wonderful additions to my tri-tip sandwich. Thank you Richard for sharing your wonderful BBQ with me :)
(5)Chris L.
OMG, fabulous pulled pork sandwiches and the coleslaw is a wonderful complement to the perfectly blended bbq sauce! The service is great, the employees and owner are all so courteous and nice. My wife and I are definitely going to frequent Ranch Nipomo and their wonderful ambiance more often now that we have found this great little restaurant!
(3)Joy R.
Setting the benchmark standard for BBQ! While true Santa Maria has carved its path for legendary BBQ, this place sets the bar for the rest of them to keeping reaching for! The smoke on the Tri tip is fabulous. Tender, piled high, super roll and a unique BBQ sauce adding the final touch to a perfect sandwich. The cold slaw on it is a must. We also tried the smoked brisket taco for $3.50. The smoke on this tender meat blended with the corn tortilla and was over the top good. Loved the service. Loved the atmosphere. Loved the off the beaten path. Loved, loved it all!! Heading back!
(5)John T.
A find through Yelp. In an industrial area between Santa Maria and Nipomo. Great pulled pork and tri tip sandwiches. Can't wait to go back and try their pork ribs. . Very reasonable prices.
(5)jUSTN M.
My wife saved me a bite of her sandwich, which was the best tri-tip sandwich i ever ate. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich. It made love to me, in the mouth. NH.
(5)Jeremiah L.
Try the pulled pork or the ribs, sooooooo goood!!!!!!
(5)paul b.
while driving back from our vacation in big sur 10 years ago i would have just pulled off in pismo beach and waited in line for some overpriced tourist food. thanks to yelp i kept driving and found one of the best pulled pork sandwiches i have ever had. yelp and traveling, never leave home without it!
(5)Michael M.
Great food, friendly service. Not really much else to say. Only criticism is that seating inside is a little tight and there's no heat lamps outside.
(5)Ben S.
My friends had lunch here last Saturday, and loved it so much they had everyone else in our group come back to try it. The menu is like a combination of a quick local mexican place (carne asada fries, tacos, burritos) and a decent bbq place. I had a "baby" pulled pork sandwich so I could also try some tacos. It was still a huge sandwich. The meat was delicious, and not overly sauced. I usually like a TON of sauce on my pulled pork, but in this case being able to also taste the meat was a good thing. The tacos were decent, I got carne asada, and found the meat to be a little bland. But I ate them after the sandwich. I think chili verde might have been a better choice. The guy behind the counter was very friendly, and they handled our instacrowd well, we got our food quickly.
(4)Adriana V.
I don't know why I never tried this place before! Some friends wanted to go there today and I'm glad I did! I had the pulled pork sandwich, and it was great! They have Mexican food too. I can't wait to go back to try some of it!
(4)Chuck D.
The next time you have a trip that takes you down (or up) Hwy 101, plan to stop here for lunch or dinner. Fantastic food, great value and the employees are fun group.
(5)Jennifer S.
We love rancho Nipomo! We live close and eat here a lot. The chili colorado burrito wet is one of the best things ever! this is a great mix off mexican and bbq. If your in the area you must eat here!
(5)Steve C.
I've visited this place on two separate occasions and love it! I don't frequent the place because of the distance (200 miles from home), but I'd be here at least once a week if I stayed nearby. Tri tip sandwich with a side of onion rings rocks. They've got a few other things on the menu that sound tasty, but haven't tried out. Perhaps next time.
(4)Bill M.
Great little place! Went there on a Yelp recommendation and had the tri-tip sandwich and a Firestone Pale Ale. Perfect together. The owner, Richard, struck up a conversation with me and when he heard I'd be traveling to Santa Maria on a regular basis, he gave me a card for a free pulled pork sandwich on the next visit and his cell number if I needed any help. Super friendly! Food was great! Highly recommend.
(5)Man M.
On a vacation drive up the 101, we decided to stop here for lunch based on the Yelp reviews. Man! That was a great decision! I had the most flavorful tri-tip sandwich I have ever had. The meat was so tasty and juicy. The bread was like a croissant but perfect for the sandwich. Pulled pork was good and a beer to wash it down. They had hot salsas but they weren't really hot. I thought it was a little pricey for being in the middle of nowhere and not having the same overhead as places in pricier locations. I would still come back, though.
(5)John N.
Visited for first time. Very friendly service, very good food. Nice patio for a beautiful Central California day! I had a special for the day... BBQ Corned Beef Sandwich (Smoked/no sauce: AKA Pastrami). It was very tender and tasty. Wife ordered BBQ Brisket Sandwich, Also very good. We split the 50/50 Fries/Onion Rings (crincle-cut fries / huge onion rings). Service was outstanding... when the owner found out we were there for the first time, he offered us a free pulled pork sandwich. Since we don't eat pork... he substituted Mission Tacos! All food was very good, but I found the BBQ sauce was a bit on the sweet side, but wife loved it. Daily Special sandwiches were about $6.50 and BBQ Brisket was about $8.50. All in all, a very nice experience.
(4)Tom L.
Low quality food low quality service 2 parking spaces and owner belittles his neighbors for not allowing customers to use their facilities to park.
(1)Dustin S.
There is nothing in this place that is not absolutely freaking delicious. I'm a sucker for the pulled pork sandwich, but you can never go wrong with the Baja-style street dog... and the Puerto Nuevo-style shrimp cocktail may be one of the greatest things I've ever had the pleasure of eating. Richard and his crew have definitely created a labor of love here, which is why I have to stop in at least once every time I'm home for any period of time. Hang out on the patio, relax and enjoy some great food, cold beer and awesome service. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Paul B.
We just stopped for lunch at Rancho Nipomo, Glad we did! Found it from Yelp reviews...We live in Santa Maria and just wanted a quick Mexican lunch. The place is very easy to get to and from!! no traffic ect... Very helpful and nice staff! could not have been nicer. not so common on the Central Coast, unfortunately. He suggested the pulled pork sandwich, my wife got it and I sampled it, AWESOME, she ordered the small size, which was HUGE. Very very good, he also suggested putting the cole slaw right on the sandwich, another HIT! he knows the product. The Chips and salsa were great, but not free. It's a little pricey for my taste, but, I'll be back again and again. It's very clean too! the bathroom was perfectly clean, another nice bonus. Good Luck...
(5)Jimmy L.
Pulled Pork Sandwich is AMAZING. This place is a central coast Deli for sure. The pork is some of the best I've had. My dad got the pork tacos, really delicious. I split the pulled pork sandwich, which is big, so come hungry. I will definitely make more visits every time I'm near the central coast.
(5)Ashley M.
Sounds like I went on a bad day, but when I went there was terrible service! I stood at the counter for almost 20 minutes completely ignored. I even tried getting their attention to have my order taken, but I wasn't even acknowledged. Took almost 45 minutes just to get food to go, and they weren't even busy. My food was soggy and smelled like sulfur, and to top it off there was hair in it. Lovely. If you want BBQ, head to Jockos. Also extremely loud atmosphere.
(1)Jessica M.
Like others, I found this place based on its good yelp reviews and it did not disappoint. The staff was friendly and the service quick. My boyfriend and I tried the pulled pork and tri-tip sandwich and they were both well seasoned and flavorful. The tri-tip was not fatty and was so moist and seasoned that the BBQ sauce was not necessary. The BBQ sauce was not cloyingly sweet and the pork was not drenched in sauce which I loved. I also sampled the cole slaw which had just the right amount of mayo. Kudos to the team here because they really have managed the right balance of flavors.
(5)Mike M.
Our boss just brought in some ribs from Rancho Nipomo for his crew. First time I have had them and they were really, really good!!! Great job on the ribs and a thanks to my boss Pat for bringing them in for his crew. If the rest of their food is as good as the ribs,I will definitely be getting more food from this place.
(4)Yvonne S.
I surely wasn't disappointed in the food at this great little out of the way place. I'm surprisingly disappointed in the other reviews of this restaurant though. We arrived about 2:15 on a Sunday afternoon, to find a surprisingly crowded entry area, but we were still able to find a suitable, quiet table. Ordering is fast and efficient deli style. The staff was extremely friendly, courteous, quick and very knowledgeable. Our meal cost us a total of $42. (On order was 1/2 rack of ribs, Smoked Tri-Tip enchiladas, a small nachos and 2 fountain drinks.) When they called our number I was presented with a tray filled to the brim with food. The platter my ribs came on was so large it hung off the tray a bit. Much to my surprise the ribs were NOT baby back, but giant juicy spare ribs. Also on the plate were sides of beans, rice, grilled garlic-salted bread, Potato salad and a small container of BBQ sauce. There were barely spots for the napkins and fork! The 8 thick ribs were very, VERY tender, full of meat and grilled to crispy outside perfection. Since I'm not a fan of BBQ sauce I ordered my ribs dry (see below about the BBQ sauce!) The rice was velvety, buttery and perfectly cooked. The beans were very flavorful but not overwhelming and the bread served with it was a great treat. Now the BBQ sauce. I have to talk about the BBQ sauce. It's not your typical ketchup and brown sugar kind of BBQ. I'm not actually 100% sure there's any tomato sauce in there at all actually. It has the consistency of thinned out molasses. When I smelled it at first, it was a brown-sugary-smokey almost cumin-esque smell. When I tasted it, my taste buds went to heaven. I have no idea what they make their sauce out of, but what ever it is, there aren't words to describe it. There's a hint of brown sugar, some kind of roasted chili pepper, citrus...I have no idea. But it's definitely not your typical BBQ sauce, it's very original and crave-able! I didn't find the meats to be dry, the buns or the BBQ sauce to be greasy at all. Actually quite the opposite, I found the meats to be very tender and juicy, and the side dishes to be very easy on the palate and the stomach. If you get a chance to try the tres leches cake, I'd highly recommend it, it's definitely worth the extra effort of taking part of your meal home to squeeze that in. Speaking of taking home a part of your meal, you almost have to. There was no chance I could finish my ribs. Even with giving some to my husband, I ended up bring home enough for a full lunch today (which I'm looking forward to!) I'd say the biggest "con" to this restaurant is the parking. The parking lot is small maybe 4 very tight spots. There is quite a bit of street parking but even that seems to be used up quickly even mid-afternoon on a Sunday. The crowd that seems to enjoy this place is very diverse. While we were there even some famous Rappers showed up. This place is great for families, singles, couples, even after church get-togethers. I'd hope that the posters who had poor experiences with this great little place would at least give it a second chance. It's getting hard to find really great food in this area, and this place definitely serves up greatness in every possible way.
(5)Tim T.
Great place to take the family for bbq. Off the beaten path near 101 and 166 this place has great food. We tried the pork, the tri-tip, the pastrami and their super nacho plate and loved them all. We had two kiddos with us. Our oldest, 5, had a quesadilla which was a good size for him. The owner came to our table to check on us and even offered to bring out some rice and beans for our 16 month old. The food is a little pricy but well worth the money. We had some live music while we ate. The restaurant also helps to support the local community quite a bit. Great place overall.
(5)Laura M.
We LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!! Rancho Nipomo. Being fairly new to the area we thought Santa Maria would be full on BBQ places. They have the best pulled pork we've ever had!!! The portions are gigantic. Ribs, Chile Colorado Taco, Torta, etc... We've never been disappointed. When we want our adult children to come up from Ventura County to visit and bring our grandbabies they always request to go to Rancho Nipomo.
(5)Mark S.
Great tri tip sandwich - the bread is excellent and the beef is tasty and stacked high! The location may not be great......unless the bar next door is open, in which case u have great beer as well!
(4)Chantal D.
Still amazing. I think I've been here at least every six days since first dining in. Every visit, we get a pulled pork sandwich to split, and something new. We have already gone through the tri-tip sandwich (sauce on the side so we can douse each bite ourselves and nothing gets soggy), the brisket sandwich, and wet and dry ribs. The tri-tip and brisket sandwiches are wonderful and moist, with the BBQ sauce being just pure perfection, and of the two styles of ribs, I prefer the dry. I believe them to be slightly more juicy than the wet... just get some extra BBQ sauce on the side to add even more finger-lickin deliciousness.
(5)Cindy S.
I was visiting my boyfriend in Santa Maria and wanted to try this place after reading the great reviews on Yelp. It's off the highway on a litlte dusty road in a somewhat industrial part of town. I've been to places like this in Texas so I wasn't too worried. We were greeted by a friendly man (who I think was the owner). He was super nice and asked us to sign his guest book. We ordered the tri tip sandwich, pulled pork sandwich, and got sides of chili beans and potato salad. Everything was DELICIOUS! The tri-tip was great with the red sauce that was suggested and the pulled pork sandwich was amazing. I'm not a big fan of coleslaw, but we were told it's made fresh every 40 minutes so I decided to give it a try with the pulled pork sandwich. It was SO GOOD. The sandwiches are BIG and the bread is really tasty (I think they grill it with a garlic butter). To top it off, they have JUICY WHIP (or was it orange bang?) and HORCHATA! I can't wait to go back and try their Mexican dishes. Although I'll probably just end up ordering the pulled pork sandwich. Again. And again.
(5)Perry K.
After a long ride from Los Angeles, this is the place I try to stop by for lunch. It's a hidden gem in an industrial area right off the 101 highway. As I can only speak for the Mexican food, it is tasty!
(5)Timothy H.
Tri-tip was amazing. Pulled pork was terrible, but I am thinking I hit it on a bad day. They had some live music outside which I guess they do on occasion, and have a great working relationship with the Santa Maria Brewery next door. I will be going back here again as Santa Maria Brewery is the only brewery in the area that knows what an IPA should taste like.
(4)Maggie C.
Boyfriend and I stopped here for dinner on our way to Paso Robles this past weekend. We had gotten a recommendation for this place on a previous trip to Santa Ynez, and after reading yelp reviews, as well, we had high expectations. They were not met. Let me start by saying we are huge BBQ fans and have had our fair share of it in and around LA...so there are a lot of places we had to compare it to. We shared the pulled pork sandwich and the tri-tip sandwich. The tri-tip was very dry for starters, and they toast the buns with butter on the griddle, which just made it very greasy. It wasn't inedible, but I kind of wanted my money back after the fact. I had the highest expectations for the pulled pork, and they were quickly squashed. In addition to the greasy bun (same thing, butter then griddled), the "sauce" they put over the pork was so greasy that there were parts of the sandwich that I just could not eat. I guess maybe we should have tried the ribs or some of their mexican fare (which all looked huge), but I won't be going back to find out. I was very disappointed.
(2)Erika A.
Excellent food, excellent service!
(5)Dude A.
They have a commercial smoker and everything is smoked with Red Oak. The carnitas tacos are great with any of the fresh salsa that is made daily. The same smoked pork is used for the pulled pork sandwiches, which is like having a mouthful of red oak with some BBQ sauce (home made and quite good) and a little cole slaw (also home made). The Tri Tip sandwiches are awesome with a little salsa, best TriTip sandwiches you can buy. Rich has a large selection of soda, horchata, and beer to wash it down with. They are also cool with you taking your food next door to the brewery. The taquitos are excellent for a mid afternoon snack. I went for lunch a few days after they opened, and have been going back as often as possible since. The portions are quite large, and you can always get a chair between 2 and 4:30 for an early dinner or late lunch.
(4)Amy S.
Don't drive too fast on the 101 or you'll miss it! It's a great stop if you're heading out over Hwy 166. Nice, quaint place with a fun, early California motif. The owner's nice and the cashier was very gentlemanly (a rarity anymore!). I had the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich because it was the special. It was filling, but perhaps a little more fatty than I cared for. I'll have to try more and then maybe I can give it 5 stars.
(4)Kelli S.
Awesome food and fabulous staff! I enjoyed everything about this place. I tried several of the items on the menu and it was all delicious. My husband had the pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and never ordered anything else. My kids were all happy with the food and relaxed atmosphere. The live music on the outdoor patio was great as well.
(5)Monique H.
Owners are local and I love that they've kept the place modest. Food is great and so is the customer service. Stop in for lunch, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Jason D.
I am a creature of habit and ALWAYS purchase the Carne Asada Torta but on this day I wanted something different. Richard was gone so the guy at the register talked me into a Chili Colorado burrito. WHOA MAN, WAS THAT DEEEELISSHHHHUUUSSS! Whoooo that hit the spot. The burrito was huge and I thought I might be able to eat half, but it was sooo gooooood, I ate the whole dang thing. Thanks!
(5)Stacy M.
Mr. Smith is the local and started raving about this place. On a weekend visit to the area, he took us there and it lived up to and exceeded his praise. The place was fun, the owners and staff were great folks and the pulled pork sandwich was one of the best, ever!! It must have been around Christmas time because I remember buying a dozen tamales and if I remember correctly, only a few made it home to LA after the weekend in Santa Maria.
(4)Hendra T.
This is the best BBQ place. We've tried the tri-tip, pulled pork, BBQ ribs, Beef Brisket, and Angus burger and all are very delicious. The portion is quite huge for an individual so you might want to split if you're not a big eater. Salsa was made fresh and their roasted jalapeno will be a good condiment to put on your sandwich (if you love hot stuff). It's a must place to visit.
(5)Kirk S.
I've been meaning to try this place for about a year now, and finally made it there this weekend. I now regret I didn't make the trip sooner. Easy to miss, but worth the search right where the 101 and 166 meet. Small parking lot, but plenty of room on the street. Lots of tables outside, and at least a half dozen decent sized tables inside. Amazingly friendly and helpful staff and owner. I had the Smoked Tri-Tip enchiladas, which were amazing. Lots of smokey steak, cheese, onions and a delicious red sauce. My wife had the pork ribs, and commented that they were perhaps the best ribs she'd ever eaten. On a fluke we tried the cherry tres leches cake for dessert, and it was absolutely delicious. A great hole-in-the-wall BBQ with amazing food and friendly staff. We'll be back!
(5)Nikki S.
My husband and I go often. The pulled pork is awesome, The thin sliced Trip-tip is to die for on a sandwich with BBQ sauce or on a torta. They Know BBQ but they also do amazing Mexican dishes. In the couple years we have been going there I think we have had just about everything on the menu and haven't been let down yet. The food is simply perfect.
(5)Keri M.
Everything I have ordered here is so good, but I have to say that I keep coming back to the pulled pork! It is by far my fav thing on the menu and never disappoints! The staff is very friendly and the patio is great if you are eating there. Just wish they were open a little later!
(5)Sean W.
This has to be the best barbeque I've had my entire life. I love the pulled pork sandwich. You really can't do better barbeque than RND&BBQ. It's kinda out of the way, and it's in the middle of nowhere but worth the small trip out of the way. Do NOT miss this place for the best barbeque!!!
(5)c e.
Best BBQ ever!!! Pulled pork sandwiches, tri-tip, fresh made salsas... overheard a couple from texas that it was the best barbecue they have ever had!! i just wish they were open 24/7 its a must-go every time im in town
(5)Trey F.
Hand's down the best Pulled Pork Sandwich on the central coast. Order the baby because the regular is way too much food. Great service from a very friendly staff. Eat outside if it is not windy.
(5)Donna P.
I'm a pulled pork connoisseur & the pulled pork sandwich at Nipomo's is awesome! Big & juicy & cheap. He knows how to do BBQ! Highly recommend this quaint place.
(5)Shawn S.
Still awesome
(5)Victoria C.
where do i begin? this place is great! located so close to everything, we go every saturday during racing season to grab a bite before heading to santa maria speedway. it is also next door to a local brewery so you can have a bite to eat and try local beer. the family staff is wonderful (richard and his family). they also feature live music on the weekends which just makes it a great choice. prepare to get messy with the pulled pork sandwich--to die for!!!! vicki
(5)Kathleen S.
The best pulled pork sandwiches ever. This place rocks.
(5)Homer B.
I've read some of the reviews here, and was trying to figure out if it was the same place that I had been to. First off, lets start with the pros, because there are plenty of those: the staff is very friendly, talkative, easy to get along with; the decor is interesting, with great murals on the walls. Now, the next few things aren't really cons, but... the issue I really have is that the place is trying to be two things at once, and not really succeeding at either. The Mexican food is so-so, and the BBQ constantly taste, well, not *bad* but far from great as some reviewers are making it out to be. The Mexican food is a bit bland and dry. The carne asada burrito I had was very 'meh'-- again, not bad, but nothing really great, either. As for the BBQ,it seems as though the place is trying to combine both traditional SM BBQ and southern BBQ, two very different methods and styles. The pulled pork sandwich really lacks any pork flavor, which can usually be compensated by a better sauce, but the sauce is a generic brown mix, too weak to make up for the protein. Again, like I said, the place isn't bad, and based on the other reviews here, obviously has its fan, but I've been consistently dissapointed. If you do end up coming here, make sure to make a stop at the brewery next door-- THAT is well worth the visit.
(2)Lori W.
Really fantastic barbeque. Worth looking for.
(5)Teri B.
Rancho Nipomo offers a unique selection of Hispanic cuisine and carefully smoked Southern style meats filled with unique flavors that celebrates our diverse culture. I have never seen such a flawless amalgamation of two different styles emerging for a culinary delight. Yeah, I loved it. The ribs were huge, overhanging the plate and cooked to perfection, falling off the bone in a dry sauce that reveled any in the South. I don't think I breathed as I inhaled half a pig. I have to talk about the barbeque sauce. It is not your typical ketchup and brown sugar kind. It was sweet, hot, and dry. It has the consistency of thinned out molasses. Its aroma was a brown-sugary-smoky almost cumin-esque.
(5)Emm H.
I had the pulled pork and husband had the tri tip sandwich. I enjoyed his sandwich more, very smoky and beefy tasting. I should have asked for the barbeque sauce on the side, my fault because I'm not a big sauce fan. Plus it was too sweet but that's just a matter of individual taste, would have loved it if it was a more vinegar type sauce. I'll definitely be back to try the pork again but maybe with salsa.
(4)Allan S.
I've only been here once with my family and had a delicious carne asada taco and a large bowl of menudo (Sundays only). The salsas are fresh, the corn tortillas are made on the spot, but unfortunately the chips seem to be standard Costco bought fare. The owner is very friendly and attentive to his customers. Next time I visit the Santa Maria area, I'll try the tri-tip sandwich.
(4)Randolph M.
The pulled pork sandwich I had was pretty dry and quite salty. Guess I better try again since some yelpers seemed to like it. They were very friendly though.
(2)Jason J.
wow. outside of houston, this has got to be one of the best. because of yelp, we found this place for a roadtrip. the pulled pork sandwich was incredible. the carnitas torta was also awesome. it seems to be the same meat, but one with bbq sauce, and the torta with some veggies/jalapenos, but needless to say, both are crazy good. while we sat in the heat outside, 4 CHiPs showed up. it's the local piggie joint, so it's gotta be good!
(5)Mark M.
Been there numerous times, most recent yesterday. For Mexican, it's a joke. Their pulled pork is tasty, but seems like they were having an off day last time I was there. 3 stars for previous trips, but there are other places I'd rather spend my money if last time is their norm.
(3)Robert M.
This restaurant may not be in the best location, but the food is very good. You must try the Chile Colorado burrito and, of course, the pulled pork sandwich. I've never had a bad meal there and I've gone there a couple dozen times. You could buy your beer at the restaurant OR you can take your food next door to the Santa Maria Brewing Co. for some homemade and tasty brews. Be careful, the atmosphere at the brew co. is a bit on the "dive" side. However, the patio at the deli is very comfortable. Enjoy!
(5)Hollie T.
DELICIOUS Mexican and BBQ! I had no idea this little restaurant even exsisted. Happy to have found it. Amazing food, super friendly staff and great prices. You must stop for the Pulled Pork!
(5)Ryan M.
Incredible find! I was driving back from San Luis Obispo and found this place on the Yelp Blackberry App. It's hard to find otherwise so thank you Yelp! The owner was so friendly and generous it was incredible, and in addition to the Pulled Pork and BBQ sandwiches my girlfriend and I ate, he gave us a bunch of free samples of just about everything else! I would come back here anytime I'm within 30 miles. Everything thinks "Santa Maria Tri-tip" is the bomb, but this place makes it look like $1 bologna. If I could give 10 out of 5 stars I would. Plus they have bands every so often!!
(5)Ken S.
I've been living in Nipomo for over 6 months and had never been here. I brought my fiancé and her grandparents for dinner tonight, not knowing what to expect. I was blown away! The food was superb, s rice was friendly, their establishment was clean, and the prices were below what I'd expect! Five stars! Ryan helped us, very friendly and made us feel welcome. Thanks for the Chile verde burrito! I loved it!
(5)Sharon M.
I wish I'd ordered the truth-tip but I saw the picture of the Santa Maria fries and ordered that. The cheese is full-on ballpark gas station liquid plastic nacho cheese stuff. If you like that, go for it
(1)Nicholette R.
LOVE Rancho Nipomo! Their fries are unlike any fries I've ever had and their tri-tip?! Amazing. I don't normally like tri-tip but man....I could eat Rancho Nipomo tri-tip all day. It's perfectly cooked and never pink or chewy and served on the best bread. Add some cheese...to die for! Their menu is so diverse also from barbeque to mexican and even desert! The staff is always friendly and nice despite how busy they always seem to be. Its always nice seeing the owner in the restaurant greeting guests as well! Definitely my go-to when I'm craving some good food!
(5)Mrs. T.
One of our go-to spots for many years. The quality and portions are consistently top notch. Service is friendly and quick. We've brought friends and family here many times. Our friends from the UK loved it! Baby pulled pork sandwich (straight up), chicken taquitos, and the smoked chicken meal are some of our favorites. Great place to dine in or take out. We only wish that they had Firestone DBA on tap. Like many other restaurants on the coast, they've switched to 805.
(5)Arthur J.
Awesome food, great service. Ordered the tri tip sandwich. Meat was tender and the BBQ sauce was great. The bread was nicely buttered and toasted. Pro tip: It's just meat and bread so order a side of zesty-ish coleslaw to add into the sandwich.
(5)Kalen K.
"Try tri-tip from Santa Maria" has been sitting unchecked on my bucket list for some time. So, on a recent vacation down to Lake Nacimiento, I loaded the family up and headed south for a road trip to knock this one out. As we got closer, I leaned on Yelp to provide me the destination and this is what came up. I wasn't totally sold as it isn't actually in Santa Maria and, when I saw the menu was heavy on the Mexican side, I was a bit deflated. With 2 kids and an impatient wife though, I sucked it up and went ahead and ordered. Tri-tip sandwich for me and the wife, ribs for my boy, and quesadilla for the girl. And it was all the bombdiggity. I am not sure this was "Santa Maria" tri-tip, but it was darned good. And the bread they served it on was insane. The ribs were even better, or as my 9 yr old commented, "amaaaaazing". We really only should have ordered 1 tri-tip sandwich and the ribs as there was enough food to feed a family of 10 with all the fixins that came with it. I eyeballed one of the burritos someone was eating at a table next to us...it was equally as huge. And, now, here is my problem. Technically, I can not check off my bucket list as this place is in Nipomo. And I will have to drive past this place to actually get to Santa Maria to try the tri-tip there. Not sure I will make it.
(5)Mike L.
WOW! What can I say? This place was a very pleasant surprise, indeed. Shoved into a smallish, semi-industrial freeway offramp area, Rancho Nipomo Deli and BBQ is a hidden treasure! I had the tri-tip burrito...can I say AWESOME!!! It claimed to have a half pound of tri-tip...it had at least that. There was so much meat in the burrito that there was bearly room for the rice and beans (also excellent). Their fries were very good, too. My wife had a surprisingly good taco salad with actual meat in it. She is accustomed to getting taco salads with 'carne asada' that usually consists of gristle and fat. Such was definitely not the case here...all good meat!! The prices were good and the service was prompt and friendly. We used the outdoor, nicely shaded patio, as we had our 2 old dogs with us. Definitely making this a regular stop!!
(4)Misha L.
I try to stop by this place every time I take 101 between SF & LA. Tri-tip, pulled pork, carnitas tacos, and their enchiladas were all amazing!! Meats are always cooked perfectly and have a lot of flavor though I'm not a huge fan of the BBQ sauce they serve with the tri-tip (too sweet IMO). Portions are pretty large so expect to be able to take some for the road. Good beer selections from all over the state (they even have the limited edition brews from Indian Wells out by Inyokern!!). Service is always quick and friendly. They have a tiny indoor seating area in the restaurant, but there's plenty of seating by the bar and a little more outside on the patio. The parking lot is small (fits like 6 cars if I remember correctly), but you can usually find a spot out on the street. Great place to relax for an hour :)
(5)Pete L.
Great food had the tri tip sandwich and the tri tip was very tender and a great taste cooked just right the bbq sauce on the side, so u pour as much as u like not to take the taste away from the savory tri tip, along i paired it up with the famous santa maria style fries and they did not disappoint, if you have hearty appetite definitely order the fries very generous portion they are amazing, i recommend it
(5)Melissa K.
I was in town for work and wanted to grab a quick dinner. I got to the restaurant at a big dinner rush around 7. There was a pretty hefty line to order so I figured the food must be worth the wait so I got in line (BIG mistake). They take your order and give you a number whether you are dining in or taking out. I had to wait a painstaking 45 minutes to get my food. What makes it even more uncomfortable is that there wasn't a good place to stand or sit to wait for the food to come out. Okay, so onto the food. So I ordered a Baja street-style hot dog and a tri-tip sandwich. The hot dog was pretty much an ordinary hot dog wrapped in bacon with a couple grilled onions and a squirt of mustard. The meat in the tri-tip was too thick and I had to rip the meat barbarically to get a bite. The au jous was too salty there was no depth of flavor beyond just salt! The only thing it had going for it was the generous portions. If you are going to try ordering take out, I would call in advance so you don't have to wait so long when you get there. But frankly, I don't think it is worth the price or time to check this out.
(2)Savannah J.
Really friendly bartenders, great pulled pork, and wonderful beers on draft. Live music is really fun too! Great place to unwind!
(5)Michael M.
I don't think I have ever had a better torta. The service is very good and the setting is perfect. The chips and Santa Maria style salsa is the best in the area for it. We just got in town and we are going back right now. I will update with photos.
(5)Malinee S.
3.5 stars for tr itip sandwich. I loved their salsa. The bbq sauce came with the sandwich was kind of sweet and ok. I loved the bread and couldn't stop eating it. The meat was a tad dry and didn't have much taste. The servers were nice. Ambient and decoration was interesting.
(3)Timothy T.
Awesome Bbq and fries. The service was average but the food was delicious. Great for big parties looking to dig in after a long day of surfing or ATVing. Tri tip was tender and mouth watering. Rips weren't too saucy, which I love. They are generous with their sauce if asked though. I would recommend this to others!
(4)Doc H.
We tried 3 BBQ places thus weekend. This is BY FAR the best. Super creative menu includes not only tri tip and pulled pork sandwiches, but tri tip tacos (for $1.50) and tri tip enchiladas! This is our new fav and will.stop at least once on each trip to Pismo!
(5)Lana V.
Amazing, amazing food. Pretty much the best tex max food I have EVER had. Their carne asada fries are RIDICULOUS. My husband always orders the enchiladas. We pretty much have food orgasms every bite! We come here EVERY time we are in Nipomo. Absolutely highly recommend. The orange orgasm beer is fantastic as well!
(5)David J.
I was traveling along 101 from San Francisco for work and my final destination for the day was in Santa Maria. It was fast approaching dinner time and being in Santa Maria I had to find a place to grab some barbeque. What type of barbeque you ask? Some famous tri tip and beans needed to be on the menu. Got it to go and it was delicious. Large sandwich (they don't skimp on the steak) a hearty portion of beans and BBQ sauce make for a fantastic dinner. I may try other BBQ joints in Santa Maria out of curiosity but this one will stay a staple, for the tri tip and chili beans at least.
(5)Josh M.
This is absolutely one of the best locally known spots to get a massive amount of quality food at an awesome price. I heard about it at work and decided to give it a try several months ago. My wife and I ordered the super nachos and I got a burger and it's one of the only times I've ever had to take a to go bag. Most spots will have quality or quantity but this place has both. I've never heard anything bad about this place. My only feedback would be to try and get some more seating which isn't really a bad thing because this place is always packed and the last few times we've gone we have called our order in ahead of time. We will definitely be back. Great job Rancho Nipomo!
(5)Wayne W.
Alright so I was in the area just to walk my dog and grab a few sodas while doing so. After my walk I wanted to grab some refills cause on the menu it says "free refills". And when we were grabbing our refills your staff was talking down about myself and my friend saying "wow they're just grabbing drinks and then leaving" in an inappropriate tone and loudly as if to trying to embarrass us and make us feel uncomfortable. I recommend educating the night crew on the menu so next time they don't make such a big deal about two guys just grabbing refills. The food is great usually always and I have decent experiences here, but I don't need random guys talking loudly about what I'm doing and not doing. "Free Refills".
(1)Stephanie A.
I always have a great meal and its always nice to visit with family and friends!
(5)Lisa B.
So, so, so good! Stopped here for a quick lunch on the way down the coast, and we were so glad we did! We all had tri-tip sandwiches and they were excellent. Soft, round, bun brushed with garlic-butter and lightly toasted. A pile of extra lean, thinly-sliced tri-tip. A very light splash of bbq sauce and a few caramelized onions and that was all. The meat was smoked and simply seasoned in the old-school Santa Maria way. Sides for us were a little dish of excellent potato salad and a basket of sweet-potato fries that were crispy and salty and wonderful. While so many "Santa Maria BBQ" places around this area are overpriced, under-portioned, and overrated, the Rancho is the real deal... worth timing your drive for a lunch or dinner stop.
(4)Ricardo H.
Large portions of food at an excellent price..we had a rack of ribs, Memphis Nachos, and a mini pulled pork sandwich. All were pretty good, not the best BBQ I've had but good and better than average. Nice and helpful staff! I felt bad leaving a short tip, but it was all I had left in my wallet. I'll make up for it next time. This will be my new stopping spot when I travel the central coAst
(4)Angela P.
The food is awesome! Tri-tip sandwich is delicious. It's HUGE! I shared with my daughter and we were both content and had leftovers. BBQ sauce is tasty- not as thick as I would like but good flavor. Dropped $40 on BBQ sandwiches for our family and was annoyed when I asked for a side of BBQ sauce and was told it costs 50 cents. Are u kidding? I bought food and it seems the condiment would be included! Place is in middle of nowhere and crowded on a Wednesday at 7. Had live music which was not appealing to my ears. Parking is limited but lots of seating-indoors and out!
(4)Ellen J.
This is our favorite restaurant! Good service, good price at a reasonable price. My favorite is Wet chile burrito and Tri-tip dip. They do get busy during rush hours and line goes out the door.
(5)Sue B.
Im giving this a 5 because their is always entertainment with live bands and great food. Get the burger and share it with a friend. Awesome french fries...some like the nachos...i prefer real cheese on my nachos...not the canned stuff. Prices are good. Love the beer sampler...Figueroa Mountian Brews...my fovorite was Danish Red Lager and hubbins favorite was the Lizards Mouth...good fun every Friday night with dancing too.
(5)Prestige T.
Every Time i got to this place the food is on point. I recommend everything now that they added a bar you can have cold local beers and enjoy live music.
(5)Victoria J.
Whenever my boyfriend gets in a BBQ mood, I always sigh. BBQ is really not my thing. Roasted veggies with quinoa and some fresh herbs is more my style, but from how I devoured the tri-tip sandwich at Rancho Nipomo, you wouldn't have been able to tell. This is just straight up good food and a fabulous embodiment of the Santa Maria style of BBQ. Tri-tip sandwich: A MUST ORDER. Smother it in some salsa from the salsa bar and your sandwich will be transformed into an irresistible heaven. The bread was beautifully toasted and buttery, which added much needed texture to this meat sandwich. Pulled pork sandwich: the guy at the counter really recommended this and it so pales in comparison to the tri-tip. Too sweet and there wasn't enough substance to make me keep coming back to this sandwich. Chili beans: Pretty good beans. Nicely tomato-y. Fries: They had a nice crunch to them, but I really only ate one or two of them because I was distracted by the tri-tip sandwich. Also, they're seasoned with what I would call Arby's curly fries seasoning (not a bad thing), but they're not just plain fried potatoes. I've been thinking about the tri-tip sandwich for days now and will still be thinking about it. I can't wait to make another trip down 101 to chow down on this again.
(5)Laura B.
To give Rancho Nipomo anything less than five stars would be BBQ Lover heresy. As one does, I was reading reviews of BBQ places first thing this morning and discovered Santa Maria Fries - beer-battered spud-spears on a foundation of liquid cheese, topped with shredded cheddar, pinto beans, diced tri tip, sour cream, and pico de gallo. Goodbye quinoa-based healthy breakfast, hello platter of cheese- and meat-covered fries the size of my entire torso. While I initially balked at the $14 price tag, you could reasonably share this with 4 people and each consume enough calories to last you an entire month. If I had any shame, I wouldn't admit that I went home and ate a slice of chocolate pie afterward, but I did because goddammit, it's Saturday. I had to celebrate after eating these fries. Service was cordial, seating was plentiful but semi-communal - large wooden tables that fit multiple parties of grubbers. They have a soda fountain (free refills) and a fantastic salsa bar. I was eating the mild salsas out of the mini cups with a fork. They're super fresh. It's worth noting that after eating what felt like a half-pound of fries, I was not sluggish, nauseous, or in any way ill. I felt amazing. I highly recommend you go and give them a try, or any other BBQ fare that fits your fancy. I can't imagine that they screw up much at this place, and I look forward to making another drive down there soon. For now, back to quinoa.
(5)Christina B.
Yum yum yum. Everything I have tried has been amazing.
(5)Chris B.
Stopped here on our way up to Santa Cruz based off the high markings on yelp. I'll make this short and sweet: My order: Tri-tip sandwich - Bun was good, BBQ sauce great, the tri-tip...for being in the Mecca of Tri-tip, it was a total let down. It was bland with no seasoning and could have been microwaved for all I know. Definitely couldn't tell it was smoked. The Wife's order: Pulled Pork Sandwich - better than the Tri-tip, but still not to par. Same bun used. The pros are the BBQ sauce is great, the fries, are awesome and the environment is welcoming.
(3)Michael R.
Food is good, not 5 stars, not pitiful but the place is overrated. Now I'm writing this listening to the worst band I've ever heard. I really wish I had a taser to zap a few people here. For the barbecue, I may have wood in the oven or smoker, but it's not southern style smoked - flat in taste. But decent.
(3)chris c.
Tri tip sandwich = very good. Tacos = pretty good Shrimp cocktail = very good (soupy) cm Salsas= excellent BBQ sauce = decent Draft beer selection= excellent Service = excellent. Perfect location Will gladly go again
(4)Lupita G.
I've had A LOT of tri tip sandwiches and theirs was the best! It was so delicious and tender, I absolutely loved it. My boyfriend had a pulled pork bbq sandwich which was definately delicious as well. The fries are good as well. The atmosphere is welcoming and the service is nice. Its just plain and simple a place to have fun with family and friends.
(5)Michael S.
We parked in the ample side lot and wandered up to the front door. Confusion reigned as to which door to go in. It turns out, you can use either. We were asked whether we wanted to eat in the deli area, the bar area or outside. So, you take your pick. Both my son and I had the bbq pork sandwich. My wife had the ribs and daughter had a burger. She rated the burger as great and my wife loved the ribs. The pork sandwich was HUGE. I immediately asked for a box and put half of mine away. Half the sandwich was more than enough for me. Portion wise we would have been better off splitting a standard sandwich. That is, if it weren't for the bun. It was far too sweet. The pork was heavily smoked, probably with oak. The sauce was average. I won't be ordering it again. The fries, on the other hand, were EXCELLENT! Best fries I have had in a while. Crispy and well seasoned. We split a large order between the four of us and that was a good amount. The specialty items aren't cheap. We spent twenty dollars per person to eat here. But the portions are huge and their choice of bread aside, the food was tasty.
(4)Todd M.
We planned a roadtrip around all the good food we could find along the way. And we found AMAZING places! This was one of the best. Santa Maria tri-tip in both sandwich and Mexican food form... unbelievable. The place had two sides- one felt like a dive-ish bar, the other like a little Mexican grill. We had the kids so we ate on the more-restaurant-like side (even though kids could eat on either side). It was festively decorated and they have a nice patio, too. I had the tacos- and tried 3 different kinds- all were great, but the tri-tip for less than $2 each (I think it was a special for $1.50) were the best. I even took some home- in the cooler- for later. They have a salsa bar with huge jalepenos, lots of salsa, cilantro, onions- yum. My son had one of the best pulled-pork sandwiches ever (and we eat a ton of pulled pork and make it at home in the smoker, too). My husband and daughter shared the tri-tip sandwich as it was like two sandwiches- HUGE. Very delicious with a yummy BBQ sauce. Great deal, great food... and the owner/workers were so welcoming and nice. I'm ready to plan another trip South just so we can stop by again! The waitress said we need to try the Santa Maria Fries (with the tri tip on top) so that's on my list for next time. Wish I had some now! Go- you won't be disappointed!!!!
(5)Hugo N.
Pretty good for a roadside eatery. The BBQ Tri-tip sandwich was flavorful and the meat wss great. The bread is a toasted Teleta bread which really adds some much needed crunch and an extra layer of flavor. Their fries are excellent with a good batter. The thing that killed a star from the review is the lack of BBQ sauce other than the watery sauce I was given on the side. They dont even have any in their salsa bar which has mostly taco condiments. Other than that, great Sandwich.
(4)Julie I.
This place is soooooo YUMMY!!! Highly suggest sharing, as the portions are HUGE! I ordered the Shredded Pork Nachos and Husband ordered the Tri-Tip Enchiladas. ONLY little MINOR problem was that his food wasn't very warm at all;-( He saved his plate for the next day and helped me with my Nachos as they were enough for 2 people for sure! They were delicious, had plenty of everything! We will def. be coming back;-)
(4)Jonpaul V.
Place never seems to disappoint, great service and the food has always been on point . Nice to have a BBQ place you can count on in SM/Nipomo Area
(5)Jesse R.
I was in the area for work and being as Santa Maria is where I was told the cut of tri tip originated I had to try it here. I asked people around me and this was the place that was recommended for having the best tri tip. Their recommendations were so true. The meat was well cooked and flavored excellently. My new way to rate tri tip by.
(5)Jerry B.
First let me say. I didn't eat. I came in later and had a few beers. So my observation is such. The band bleh, the beer selection okay. The crowd was a mixed bag of ethnicity and age. Not much more I can say for this trip. Maybe next time.
(3)Emerick L.
Best burgers on the central coast! The cooks do their best to make what you want to order. The owner is hella cool always there in the mix making sure the customer is happy! Thanks Richard!
(5)Ashley B.
Picked up some food to-go and it was great. Brisket is melt in your mouth, hot dogs have the perfect bite & spice and carnitas nachos are like no other. Quite the delicious indulgence.
(5)Carlos D.
This has got to be the best Mexican/Bbq place that I have ever been to. Every plate that came out of the kitchen I wanted to eat. The pastrami sandwich was really good.
(5)Dave N Jeanette S.
Just might be the best on the entire Central Coast fabulous menu slow-cooked goodness
(5)Jenny D.
Food was amazing! I loved the brisket sandwich!! So yummy!!! Would definitely come back if we are ever in the area again!
(5)Luvinia P.
Tri-tip enchiladas are hands down the best SM style dish here on the Central Coast. Its not on the menu but a specialty when asking for it. Nice cozy place to take your family and enjoy a great meal. The owner is very down to earth and always greets everyone whom walks in. So our kids didn't have to wait, he brought out rice and beans to keep them busy until the food came. Thank you!!
(5)Greg W.
I am not surprised, the Yelp community got this right. Rancho Nipomo is amazing, on all fronts. The food is top notch, and portions are amazing. Service is superb, it seems like the people here really care about making for a great experience. I ordered the Santa Maria fries because of the novelty. I wouldn't recommend them but not because they aren't delicious (they were) but because there are so many better options on the menu. Santa Maria fries is total drunk food but considering the hours of operation I guess only day-drinkers apply. I'll have to come back for more, everything looks good.
(5)Darleen T.
Up until today I would have recommended this place to just about everyone. After today I don't think I would even recommend it to anyone. We called ahead and made sure it was okay to bring our dog and sit on the patio. We got there, seated ourselves next to a table that had a lab puppy at it. We received mediocre food at best. I had the tri tip "french dip". way more bun then patty. Meat had no real seasoning on it. My husband's tri tip was tough. Tables were not clean and the patio had old tables and chairs piled up at the end of it. We had set a bowl that we had brought with us of water down for our dogs. as the neighbor table took their lab and left, they sat a bowl of water on the floor for our dogs.. Simple, didn't need it, but nice gesture. As we were leaving, the manager/owner followed us to the edge of the parking lot and chewed us out for letting our dog drink from the bowl of water. We tried to explain that we didn't do. it that it was given to us by another patron. He wouldn't even hear us out; I couldn't believe how unbelievably rude and disrespectful he was. I understand him not wanting us to use one of their bowls. Thus why we had our own. But to chew us out for something we didn't do, then tell us he didn't care if we ever came back. Which is fine with us. Food alone was reason to not return. Will never be back. Not that the manager/owner or undfriendly staff cares.
(1)Seth T.
Place has gone downhill. Food was okay (3 stars ), but service was terrible. Staff was rude; especially the Manager who was on duty, who accused us of using human bowls to give our dog water, when it was given to us by another patron. He wouldn't even listen when we tried to explain what happened, after following us out to the parking lot and basically told us not to come back and obviously didn't believe what we were trying to explain. I used to rave about this place, but won't recommend any longer and won't be coming back.
(2)Leslie T.
Food was good , service was good too . Although wasn't as good as everyone made it out to be , wasn't anything so good that I would go back ..
(3)Erob O.
This is a place for tourists or outsiders. I'm a native Californian and a local resident for 25+ years. Due to some good reviews I have given this place a try 3 times. It has failed me 3 times. STRIKE OUT! The food may fill your tummy but it's bland. This place just does not hold a candle to other local eateries for BBQ or Mexican food. On separate occassions I have tried the BBQ pulled pork sandwich, BBQ tri tip sandwich and the chile verde burrito. I was underwhelmed each time. Bland bland bland. I expected better, especially given the prices. They need new recipes or new cooks in the kitchen.
(1)Lizbeth D.
Best pulled pork sandwich i have ever had! it tender and delicious. The enchiladas are suprisingly very good as well. Customer serivice is great and just a good place to come by to eat.
(5)Food L.
Tried the santa Maria style fries with tri-tip but was only able to take two bites. It was not good. Went back to order a chile verde taco, took a bite, and it was not good either. So I looked up the reviews and decided to give this place one last try so I ordered the pulled pork sandwich, let's just say I won't be coming back. Skip it!
(2)Anthony S.
I fail to see how this restaurant can get more than 1 star for its barbecue. I ordered the tri tp sandwich and to say that it was a disappointment is an understatement. Tri tip is the typical meat for Santa Maria style barbecue, and it usually seasoned with salt pepper and garlic. The meat in the sandwich with seasoned with nothing! Santa Maria BBQ is typically cooked over in oak fire and there's a hint of smoke in the meat. This meat was sliced thin, and tasted like it had been reheated in the microwave. It was sliced thin, tough, chewy, flavorless, but it was hot. The barbecue sauce served on the side tasted like it came from a bottle, and was not very good. The only highlight of the sandwich was the fresh baked roll that it was served on. Since the area has no lack of good Santa Maria style barbecue, I will not be returning. I hope this review encourages others to try places that do understand with Santa Maria BBQ is supposed to be like.
(1)Kelly N.
10 stars!!!! So good!!! We had the Santa Maria fries and a tri tip bbq sandwich. We shared between 3 ppl! Huge portions - so delicious. Like heaven in my mouth! Enjoy !!!
(5)Britney U.
These guys are great. I highly recommend them I had a great experience
(5)Ella L.
Excellent food, very casual. A coworker recommended this restaurant. The food quality, options, price all exceeded my expectations. Only a small line, prices are decent. I stuffed myself full. The food is good enough I would get cravings. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(5)Michael K.
Owner Richard's a great guy, the band was Awesome.
(5)Edgar R.
Had the Tri-Tip burrito. Meat didn't taste fresh, re-cooked taste. Santa Maria is well known for its Tri-Tip so I wasn't pleased with the meat at all.
(1)Jim M.
Been coming here for years. Great food! I enjoy the tri-tip sandwich and their BBQ sauce is awesome. Recently expanded to a larger space next door which was needed addition. Rancho is one of those secrets that needs to get out. Love it!
(5)Thomas D.
We were going to Jocko's for lunch on Saturday, but there was a line and it seemed very slow moving. They usually have someone letting you know how long the wait is for dinner, so I assumed lunch would be the same way. I guess I was wrong, got tired of waiting after about 15 min. I remember reading about another great bbq place in Nipomo, some kind of deli thing? I looked it up on yelp and started heading over to Rancho Nipomo Deli and BBQ. We got the Tri Tip and Pulled Pork sandwich. Both were excellent. Next time we are going to split a sandwich and order the Santa Maria Fries, they looked excellent. The craft beers in the bar were also great.
(5)Mynx C.
Okay so I have been here twice. The first time I tried the pull pork sandwich the bbq sauce was sweet but I enjoyed it and the bread itself was also quite delightful. The size of the sandwich is pretty big so its worth the price. Today I went in and opt for the shrimp cocktail since I had been recommended to try it. I was greeted by the owner at the register Richard, who might I add was very friendly and it was refreshing to see an owner helping out his successful business. I would have given 5 stars as the shrimp cocktail seems more of an appetizer size and it was a little pricey, none the less it was very good. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu, I think next time I will try their Santa Maria fries they look so scrumptious
(4)Kurt P.
Awesome street tacos and amazing salsa. Will be back when I have more time. Want to try the Santa Maria Fries!
(5)Carl J.
I went baaaack bc all of these reviews were so good, I had to know why everyone loved this place if my tri-tip sandwich bored me so much. But OK here, I have learned some things about barbecue places. They're pretty much all in the same price range, which is a little too much for my taste, but I've realized that that's just how it is. Also I realized I love tri-tip but tri-tip sandwiches are boring to me no matter where they're from. I don't know why that is. I'll ask my mom later because it's obviously her fault. So I got a pulled pork sandwich on my second trip. It was amazing. It was so gigantic and delicious and just perfect. The third time I went I got the the tri-tip torta and wow I just loved it. Best torta I've ever had. It was torta-lly great. I came back the next day to have it again because it was just so divine. So basically I take back my last review and I do recommend this place, a lot. I recommend the pulled pork sandwich and my favorite, the torta. Ignore my opinion about the tri-tip sandwich bc I'm wrong. Bye love you
(4)N G.
Yum! The hotel staff sent us here for BBQ, and we are so thankful they did! The service was excellent and the food was even better. Too bad we're only in town for one night because we would definitely go back...the Memphis Nachos were the best!! Loved the brisket taco too!
(5)Becca S.
This is the best barbeque I've had in a long time! My husband and i split a pulled pork sandwich and the tri-tip sandwich. Both were excellent! The sandwiches are as big as the plates! The bread was delicious and the right amount of toasted. The meat was perfection. We could have done without karaoke night next door. In my husband's words, "The food was as good as the karaoke was bad: extremely."
(5)Vicky O.
The tri tip sandwich is bomb!! But giving it a 4 because I went in today and the salsa bar was a mess! The lids were just thrown there and there was no salsa in one of the containers. They are obviously not keeping up with it. Hoping this was a one time deal.
(4)Paul V.
Best BBQ Ive had. Fries are super addicting. Super crunchy and the trip tip on top makes it hard to beat. Ribs were cooked well. I like how the sauce isn't overwhelming and you can still taste the meat. Pulled pork had the right consistency and was very sweet. Trip tip sand which was good. Meat is a bit dry for my taste though. Needed the sauce to make it less dry.
(5)Donovan V.
One of the best places ive eaten at! Highly highly recommend the tri tip sandwich but you can't go wrong with anything. Very nice spot kind of a hidden gem.
(5)Public B.
This is not Texas barbecue, if you are looking for that don't come here. With that out of the way; the meat is cooked over an oak wood fire and it has a lighter smoke flavor; different but good. The sides are a little bland but ok.
(4)Linda M.
I've been to this place about a dozen times and all previous times, the food and service were great. Last night, however, we waited over 45 minutes for the food, and it wasn't up to it's usual level of greatness. The ribs lacked their usual meatiness and the sauce was incredibly sweet. The santa maria fries were super skimpy on toppings, and the tri tip that was on their was uber chewy or had bones. I'm hoping it was an off night, and this definitely won't stop me from coming back.
(3)Ira S.
Check out Best Lovin BBQ & Grill in Arroyo Grande; much better than this was We order Tri-tip - not much flavor BBQ chicken was OK
(3)Spiro T.
Cole slaw has a weird Thai iced tea scent, but tastes ok. Phenomenal pork sandwiches-MUST HAVE-so smoky and succulent. BBQ sauce is addictive--order extra. Onion rings are a rip off--over $5 for a minuscule amount (6 rings). Most horrible live music that I've EVER heard. Friendly service.
(4)Angela S.
Very good shrimp cocktail. .. Chile Verde enchiladas a must! Service is great. . Hubby and son were not to satisfied.. will def be back again so I can give 5 stars!
(4)Michael L.
I went to Rancho Nipomo on the way back to Santa Barbara from SLO (Oct 26). On my drive back, I was looking for a good place to stop and eat lunch. Found this place on Yelp, and judging from the number of high reviews for Rancho Nipomo, I decided to stop by and check it out. I was not impressed with the food or the service here. Issue #1. The first issue with Rancho Nipomo is that service is slow. When I arrived, there was a line, but not a long one. There was 3-4 people in front of me, but for some reason it took a good 10 minutes for the line to reach me so I can order. And once I ordered, it took at least 25 minutes for us to get the food. We ordered the Santa Maria Tri-tip fries and BBQ Pull Pork Sandwich. Issue #2. The seating area both inside and outside was swarming with flies! Since the inside seating was crowded, we decided to sit outside. Once the food came, flies started to swarm around us and the food. Needless to say it was NOT a pleasant dining environment. Inside was no better, and there were flies swarming around the fixing bar. This is a very unsanitary environment to eat at. Issue #3. The price. While the BBQ Pull Pork Sandwich was decent, I didn't think the Santa Maria fries were worth the $14. Sure, it was a big plate of fries, but the amount of tri-tip was little, and didn't warrant the $14 price. And the dish itself was just okay. So yes, this place was a big disappointment for me, especially after see a large number of high reviews for this establishment. Save your money and drive further to SLO for Firestone's.
(1)Alexander W.
Amazing food, great customer service. Their sandwiches are plenty for a meal. Maybe get some chips and fresh salsa if you're extra hungry. I highly recommend the tri-tip sandwich or pulled pork sandwich.
(5)D P.
A fantastic find. Family and I stayed in a hotel in Arroyo Grande and we wanted to try something new and different. I got the pastrami and it was DELICIOUS! My wife got the tri tip sandwich and it was AMAZING. The bread on our sandwiches was so soft and flavorful. Also got the side of west coast chili beans and they were a hit. So good. Definitely going back next time we're in the area.
(5)Jr R.
place is ok. people rave about their tri tip sanwhich I say its average.
(3)Merrill H.
Oh man. Rancho Nipomo makes the BEST tri tip sandwich, ever! IMy husband LOVES their tri tip and we make it a point to stop by Rancho Nipomo when we're in the area. I'd also highly recommend the carne asada tacos. And-- we are not the only ones who know Rancho Nipomo is the bomb. We showed 5 minutes after opening and the place was already packed with locals.
(5)Mark H.
No Fries? BBQ bacon burger was pretty good but pricey at $9 for a 1/3 lb burger and no fries. I can get a burger almost anywhere with fries for $9. I will go to Jockos next time I wanna be impressed.
(3)