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- Location
- The Great State of Confusion
Jocko's Steakhouse in Nipomo, CA is a regionally well-known "Santa Maria-style" bbq restaurant. Located near the north end of the Santa Maria Valley on California's Central Coast, Jocko's is a gem and a must-stop if in the area.
It was my first time and won't be the last as I plan to make Jocko's part of an annual pilgramage to CA's bbq holy land...The steak sandwich was very good with the distinct flavor of red oak smoke, unfortunately we arrived about 1:30pm (crowded even on off hrs on a Thur) and the pits don't fire up until 3ish and only the lunch menu available. The thinly sliced and expertly grilled top sirloin, probably cooked the night before, was heated on a flat top, served on buttery toasty bread with fresh pico de gallo and simple but excellent salt, pepper, cumin? flavored pinquitos and fresh side salad. Dang near forgot to take pics until almost done eating it was so good.
I wish I had gotten to see the pits fired up and tasted one of the whole cuts from the dinner menu, next time I will plan better. The giant pits and the enormous stack of red oak is an impressive sight. Afterward I spent the weekend in a campground nearby the SM Valley, the firewood vendor sold red oak only.:thumb: At some point my wife asked why the campground smelled so sweet. There is something special about the smell of multiple red oak campfires and the taste of grilled open-fire red oak ember cooking.
It was my first time and won't be the last as I plan to make Jocko's part of an annual pilgramage to CA's bbq holy land...The steak sandwich was very good with the distinct flavor of red oak smoke, unfortunately we arrived about 1:30pm (crowded even on off hrs on a Thur) and the pits don't fire up until 3ish and only the lunch menu available. The thinly sliced and expertly grilled top sirloin, probably cooked the night before, was heated on a flat top, served on buttery toasty bread with fresh pico de gallo and simple but excellent salt, pepper, cumin? flavored pinquitos and fresh side salad. Dang near forgot to take pics until almost done eating it was so good.
I wish I had gotten to see the pits fired up and tasted one of the whole cuts from the dinner menu, next time I will plan better. The giant pits and the enormous stack of red oak is an impressive sight. Afterward I spent the weekend in a campground nearby the SM Valley, the firewood vendor sold red oak only.:thumb: At some point my wife asked why the campground smelled so sweet. There is something special about the smell of multiple red oak campfires and the taste of grilled open-fire red oak ember cooking.
