Santa Maria Style California BBQ Tri-tip

We live about 3 hours north of Santa Maria, California. One day, we saw a BBQ trailer that was selling a tri-tip dinner plate, so we stopped to enjoy a roadside lunch. It was the tastiest tri-tip we've ever had!

I found this recipe in Cook's Country Magazine, and it is our favorite way to enjoy tri-tip. I also made the Santa Maria style pinquito beans, and I always make my own salsa.

The best way to enjoy tri-tip is to grill it.

If you can't find tri-tip, bottom round is an acceptable alternative. The traditional accompaniments to tri-tip are Santa Maria Salsa and California Barbecued Beans.