“Have you had Santa Maria-style barbecue before?” our waiter asked the newcomers who were seated at the table next to us at SeaSalt in Huntington Beach. The group of four shook their heads no. It wasn ...

California has its own home-grown barbecue style, but outside of the Central Coast, few know of it. It’s called Santa Maria, and it’s California through and through: no-nonsense, seemingly effortless ...

Southern barbecue has its aficionados, as does Kansas City barbecue. Hot links, pork ribs and beef ribs all have their fans. Just as devoted are the Californians from the central Coast who are hooked ...