Alex Bar-B-Q has been in continuous operation in the same location on the Pacific Coast Highway since 1942.
Originally founded by Alex Angelo as Alex's Shell Beach Inn, the original business included motel cottages, in addition to the restaurant and cocktail lounge. Alex owned and operated Alex's for more than 30 years and featured hand cut steaks that customers individually selected from a display case in the restaurant.
Ron and Norma Ritter then carried on the tradition of great steaks and Bar-B-Q for another 25+ years. Everything Ron and Norma served was home made. Though they operated the restaurant into the twenty-first century, there was never a microwave on the premises. That's home cookin'.
Harry Lindell took over in 2003, and the history continues. The same secret Bar-B-Q sauce concocted by Alex more than 50 years ago is still used today. The steaks are still hand cut. Everything is still made from scratch.
The building has changed remarkably little in 50 years. The pink and green neon roof sign is a landmark for travelers on Highway 1.
The Central Coast of California is known for "Santa Maria style" Bar-B-Q, where tri-tip steak, ribs, halibut, salmon, and other local favorites are grilled over an oak-wood fire. No charcoal or gas grills here: This is oak-pit cooking. But strict California air-quality regulations have all but ended new commercial live-fire restaurants. Only a handful remain, and Alex's is a historical treasure not to be missed.
