Deciding where and what to eat in and around the pool each week can be a challenge—there are so many great options. In this post, we’ll dive into dishes that are sure to satisfy your hunger and leave you wondering where to go next.
If you’ve never heard of Santa Maria style barbecue, you may be missing out on some of the best barbecue around. I was born and raised in the foothills of California and this style (which originated from ranchers in the Santa Maria, California area) has been predominant my entire life, so if you have a restaurant that pushes this as a foundation, like the one in this week’s post, you can bet I’m excited about it.
Tri Tip, the crown jewel of Santa Maria barbecue, is the centerpiece here. While some parts of the country still have no idea what this cut of meat is, we folks in the West know exactly what a gem this cut of beef is. It is dry rubbed with homemade seasonings before being placed over oak wood in the open grill where it is smoked and seared, locking in flavor and juices and cooking the meat to perfection.
It’s cut to order in one-third pound portions and topped with our homemade pico de gallo. You have the option of adding sauce, but if you do, give the grill gods a few bites and just taste the meat beforehand – it deserves a salivation of its own.
The plated option also comes with garlic bread and your choice of two sides. From mac and cheese to barbecue beans to grilled veggies or salad and everything in between, there’s an option to suit every taste, no matter your age.
This plate is truly a treat – neither in terms of portion nor taste, so if you’re still hungry after this outing, you’re either hungry or you didn’t eat everything. If the latter is the case, I’m happy to take the leftovers home.
Gus’ Open Pit Barbecue is located at 930 Tahoe Blvd in Incline Village. For more information and menu items, visit gusbbqtahoe.net online or call 775-831-4487.
