Susan Righetti
Sharing the Unique Flavors of the Santa Maria Valley with the World
As a young girl, Santa Maria style cuisine was always a central part of gatherings at our family ranch. I can still recall the aroma of my mom’s beans simmering on the stove, while ranch-raised steaks, seasoned with the perfect blend of garlic, salt and pepper, sizzled over coals of red oak.
A Distinct Regional Cuisine
This style of cooking, pioneered by Spanish vaqueros of the Santa Maria valley over a hundred years ago, is unique to the central coast of California. The cuts of meat such as tri-tip, the flavorful seasonings and the use of local ingredients, like plump, pink pinquito beans, have been passed down for generations; including to my parents, whose love of Santa Maria barbeque led them to open the Far Western Tavern in 1958.
Empowered by My Family
While I was working at my parent’s restaurant I enjoyed meeting diners from all over the world who traveled here to experience Santa Maria style barbeque. It inspired me to find a way to share the wonderful flavors of my family’s culinary heritage beyond the restaurant. So in 1981, with the encouragement of my husband Paul, I developed the first Susie Q's Brand products and fostered relationships with local grocers who kindly put them on their store shelves.
From Our Family to Your Table
I’m proud that Susie Q's Brand is the original purveyor of authentic Santa Maria style foods, and even as we’ve grown, we’re still a family owned and operated business. Today my children, and even grandchildren, help us share more of our family recipes, including delicious Santa Maria style salsas, locally grown pinquito beans, and red oak chips for grilling - everything you need to create an authentic Santa Maria style barbeque in your own home!
Susan Righetti