Northern California is famous for the Golden Gate Bridge and scenic Pacific Coast highways, but it’s also a food paradise, especially for BBQ. Ready to discover the unique flavors of Northern California BBQ? Join “Discovery To Wonders” on an unforgettable culinary journey!
Santa Maria BBQ: A California Culinary Gem
Santa Maria BBQ, also known as tri-tip steak, is a culinary icon of California’s Central Coast. This beef cut, taken from the bottom sirloin, has a distinctive triangular shape. While it originated in the early 20th century, it was in California that it truly evolved into an art form.
Santa Maria BBQ tri-tip steak grilling over red oak wood, a delicious and irresistible dish.
What makes Santa Maria BBQ so special?
The secret lies in the preparation. Tri-tip steak is grilled over red oak wood, a signature wood of the region. Red oak burns hot and imparts a unique aroma, cooking the meat evenly, creating a crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior.
The seasoning is also crucial. Locals often use a dry rub blend of salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika. This mixture enhances the meat’s rich flavor and creates an appealing crust.
How to enjoy authentic Santa Maria BBQ:
Santa Maria BBQ is traditionally served with pinquito beans (a local bean variety), a fresh green salad, spicy salsa, and fragrant garlic bread. The harmonious combination of the meat’s sweetness, the beans’ richness, the salsa’s tanginess, and the garlic bread’s aroma creates an unforgettable culinary experience.
Best places to savor Santa Maria BBQ:
- Hitching Post II (Buellton): Located just east of Highway 101, near Solvang.
- F. McLintocks Saloon & Dining House (Shell Beach): A restaurant with a classic Western-style ambiance.
California Tacos: A Fusion of Mexican Flavors
California is perhaps where Latin American culinary influences are most evident in the US, and Tacos are a prime example. In California, tacos are more than just street food; they are a symbol of diversity and culinary innovation.
Assortment of California street tacos with various fillings and vibrant toppings.
What makes California Tacos so appealing?
- Diverse fillings: From beef, pork, chicken, and seafood to vegetables, California Tacos offer endless filling options.
- Versatile cooking methods: Tacos can be grilled, steamed, fried, or sautéed, catering to individual preferences.
- Unique flavors: California Tacos are often served with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and fresh herbs, creating a balanced and enticing flavor profile.
Best places to enjoy California Tacos:
- Lilly’s Taqueria (Santa Barbara): Known for grilled and steamed Tacos with diverse fillings like chicken fajita, marinated pork (adobada), and beef offal (head, cheek, tongue).
- Taco Temple (Morro Bay): Specializes in seafood Tacos, from crispy lemon-garlic rockfish to beer-battered cod tempura fillets.
Clam Chowder: Creamy and Rich Clam Soup
While New England is famous for its white clam chowder, California boasts a creamy and rich Clam Chowder, often served in a signature sourdough bread bowl.
California Clam Chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl, a creamy and flavorful soup.
What makes California Clam Chowder special?
- Creamy and rich broth: The broth is made with fresh cream, butter, and flour, creating a smooth and rich texture with a distinctive creamy flavor.
- Fresh, delicious clams: Fresh, high-quality clams are essential, typically quahog or geoduck clams.
- Sourdough bread: Sourdough bread has a slight tang, which balances the soup’s richness and creates a perfect pairing.
Best places to savor Clam Chowder:
- Splash Café (Pismo Beach): Famous for its legendary Clam Chowder, served in homemade sourdough bread bowls.
Fresh Seafood: Gifts from the Ocean
California’s coastline is abundant with fresh seafood, from Santa Barbara spot prawns to sea urchin (Uni).
Santa Barbara Spot Prawns:
These prawns have a sweet and lobster-like flavor and are often sold at the Saturday morning fish market at City Pier (Santa Barbara). You can buy them directly from fishermen and enjoy them fresh on the spot.
Sea Urchin (Uni):
Red sea urchins are plentiful in the waters off Santa Barbara and Ventura. Uni can be eaten raw (sashimi) or prepared in various dishes like spaghetti, soup, nigiri, and biryani.
Red Sea Urchin (Uni), a prized delicacy from California waters, often used in high-end cuisine.
Artisanal Ice Cream: Cool Treats for Hot Days
On hot summer days, nothing beats a refreshing scoop of ice cream. California is home to numerous artisanal ice cream shops where you can find unique and delightful flavors.
Best places for artisanal ice cream:
- McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams (Santa Barbara): A long-standing ice cream parlor, renowned for handcrafted ice creams made from natural ingredients like eureka lemon, raspberry, double peanut butter chip, and Dutch chocolate.
- Revival Ice Cream (Monterey): A charming small ice cream shop offering small-batch seasonal flavors like Bee’s Knees (honey cream), eucalyptus, and vanilla & mint.
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams storefront, a Santa Barbara ice cream icon since 1949, known for natural flavors and quality.
Aebleskiver: Sweet Danish Doughnut Puffs
If you visit Solvang, a “Little Denmark” in California, don’t miss Aebleskiver, a spherical Danish pancake puff.
What is Aebleskiver?
Aebleskiver are delicious fried dough balls, shaped like doughnut holes but more akin to pancakes. They are cooked in a special pan and typically served with fruit jam (strawberry, raspberry, blackberry) or maple syrup and powdered sugar.
Aebleskiver, unique spherical Danish doughnut puffs, commonly enjoyed in Solvang, California.
Dungeness Crab: California’s Ocean Delicacy
Dungeness crab is a prized California specialty, found in the ocean as far south as Santa Barbara. This crab has tender meat and a rich, sweet flavor, and can be prepared in various dishes like crab legs, crab cakes, and Crab Louie salad.
Best places to enjoy Dungeness Crab:
- Cracked Crab (Pismo Beach): A popular restaurant known for steamed Dungeness Crab or crab served with spicy Cajun sausage.
- Flaherty’s Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar (Carmel): A seafood-centric restaurant featuring Dungeness crab cocktail and flavorful seafood Louie salad.
Conclusion
Northern California is a culinary paradise with countless delicious dishes waiting to be explored. From savory Santa Maria BBQ to diverse California Tacos, from creamy Clam Chowder to fresh seafood, each dish tells a story and offers a unique flavor. Are you ready for an unforgettable culinary journey? Plan your trip and discover them now!