If you don’t recognize the name Susie Righetti, you might recognize her two iconic businesses: she is the founder of Susie Q Brand, a purveyor of Santa Maria Style barbecue seasonings, pinquito beans, salsas and jerky; and along with her family members, she is co-owner of the Far Western Tavern in Santa Maria. I chose Susie as one of this season’s legends because she grew up hanging out in the Far Western’s dining room and kitchens, and she knows both Santa Maria and barbecue. Also, family lore says that her family line dates back to the De Anza Expedition along the California coastline and predates the Declaration of Independence—if that doesn’t make her a legend, I don’t know what does. We talked about what makes Santa Maria Style Barbecue different, important, and delicious, and we discussed the evolution of the Far Western Tavern, too, which moved from its original building in Guadalupe to its new location in Orcutt just a few years ago.
Websites: farwesterntavern.com / susieqbrand.com
Instagram: @susieqbrand / @farwesterntavern
David Walker, co-founder, Firestone-Walker Brewing Co, Buellton + Paso Robles
Sarah Deiter, creative and owner, Makers & Allies, SLO
Antonio Diaz, filmmaker and publisher, The Migrant Kitchen and Life & Thyme Magazine, Los Angeles
Captain Mark Tognazzini, fisherman and restaurateur, Morro Bay
Father Ian Delinger, priest, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, and food journalist, KCBX, San Luis Obispo
Golzar Barrera, chef and caterer, All Purpose Flower, Solvang
Gray Hartley + Frank Ostini, winemaker and restaurateur, Hartley-Ostini Wines, Hitching Post II, Buellton
Jacob + Brooke Town, restaurateurs, The Spoon Trade + Grover Beach Sourdough, Grover Beach
Megan + Jeremy Raff, farmers, Dare 2 Dream Farms, Lompoc
Robin Wolf, mixologist, The Hatch Bar + Restaurant, Paso Robles
Sandi Sigurdson, community leader and recovering alcoholic, SLO
Brian Collins, chef and owner, Ember, Arroyo Grande
Alberto + Gessica Russo, chef and owners, Flour House, SLO
Matt Kettmann, Central Coast Editor, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Santa Barbara
Libby Parker, registered dietitian and eating disorder specialist, Not Your Average Nutritionist, SLO
Trevor Peterson, distiller and owner, Bixby Gin, Lloyd Distillery, SLO
Zack Andrade, farmer and owner, Spinaca Farms, Gilroy
Sheila Spector, home baker and food blogger, Dinner at Sheila’s, SLO
James Sparks, winemaker and owner, Kings Carey Wine, Santa Ynez
Hayley Cain, food writer and punk rocker, SLO
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