**** I have an updated post on Firestone Grill here
The was a reason we dawdled around Solvang for a while. I'd really been wanting to have a tri-tip sandwich for a while. Calculating driving times and such, it was either Firestone Grill or bypassing Solvang and hoping to make it to Salinas. We decided on stopping in San Luis Obispo, driving through the downtown streets of this quaint looking college town, finding parking across the street from Firestone Grill.
Having never been here before; I really didn't know what to expect.....the place is large a cavernous, looking like part College hang-out - Sport's Bar - Chain Restaurant. You order at the counter and wait to be called.
The menu is simple; burgers, salads, pulled pork, hot dogs....smoked grilled, slapped between bread. The food, though simple, is not slapped together. The portions looked huge; which is not always a good sign.....
The Missus was ravenous and had me order the Steak Cobb Salad (Large $9.49), which is served in what looks like on of those metal mixing bowls.
The greens and vegetables were sparkling fresh....the truth of the matter is that the generous amount of bacon and blue cheese made this salad. We didn't use any dressing (on the side) at all. Basically, a solid salad.
Of course I ordered the Tri-tip Sandwich ($8.69).
I was sold after the first bite. I've never had tri-tip this moist and tender ....I still have a hard time believing it actually is a tri-tip, the bottom sirloin. The beefy flavor however, was definitely there along with a pleasant, light smokiness. The meat was tender without being mushy. The roll toasted lightly with garlic butter just heightened the experience. I took a bite and told the Missus, "you're going to love this....." Which She did. She's still talking about this sandwich. It was probably the most pleasant surprise on our road trip. I'm glad I requested the BBQ Sauce on the side. It was way too sweet and would have totally over-powered the flavor of the beef. This was probably the best sandwich I had all year.
Firestone Grill
1001 Higuera St
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
I'm guessing there are those who have issues with Firestone Grill - after Tweeting about this sandwich; FOY - MrZ, the Zompus actually mentioned that the sandwich was too tender for his taste! Go figure! Perhaps MrZ had one too many of these in his life and has become jaded? (I do miss the both of you BTW)
Melissa Good Taste, however agrees with me.
After lunch we walked around a bit and ended up getting some stuff from here.
All in all a successful stop.......
sounds like a great place!
Posted by: kat | Saturday, 11 January 2014 at 05:46 PM
Dangit! We head to the Bay Area every year to spend thanksgiving with my family. This year I decided to split up the drive up into two with a stopover in Morro Bay. I got nostalgic and took the family to Andersen's Pea Soup. Let's just say it ain't what I remembered. Then again, it's been 30 years.
So after downing fairly tough Tri Tip and bland sausage sandwiches, I wasn't in the best of moods when my brother (UCSB alumn) texted me about an hour later suggested I check out Firestone Grill for lunch. He must think we eat lunch at 3 like he does. :)
Posted by: janfrederick | Sunday, 12 January 2014 at 08:35 AM
I went to Cal Poly and ate my weight in Firestone tri tip sandwiches! Any time we take a road trip to (or through) SLO, we stop there. We also have an agreement with friends that if one of us is in the area, we bring back sandwiches for everyone. Firestone packs all the components separately (and I swear you end up with more meat). I like the bbq sauce because, to me, that's how the sandwich is. But, I agree it's sweeter than what I would usually go for.
The second time I took my husband there, he wanted to try other sandwiches. Having gone through the entire menu during college, I told him he wouldn't be happy not ordering a tri tip. He tried to get me to share my sandwich and I refused (mine! All mine!) so he ordered 2: tri tip and pulled pork. We took home most of the pulled pork and picked at it later.
Posted by: Leanne | Sunday, 12 January 2014 at 08:53 AM
Hi Kat - That sandwich was surprisingly good!
Hi Jan - Hope you get a chance next time around.
That's a lot of tri-tip Leanne....I'm kind of envious. ;o)
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 12 January 2014 at 10:23 AM
Maybe I've should have visited SLO.
Posted by: Nhbilly | Sunday, 12 January 2014 at 01:26 PM
Maybe Billy! Perhaps someday. This was a good sandwich!
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 12 January 2014 at 06:51 PM
Tri Tip actually comes from the beef loin, at 7% of total loin wt. The primal is "Tri Tip" and the NAMP number for the whole roast(should you ever want to order one through your butcher) is 185C. Cross-cut steaks from the roast are 1185C--sometimes labeled at retaurants as Coulotte Steaks))
Historic local-style tri tip sands are never served with sauce. Hand-cut slices are slapped between two slabs of hearty bread, (never prefab buns) maybe brushed with butter or dipped lightly in pan drippings (ya gotta ask for this!)maybe a nice hot fresh tomato salsa on the side but never with bbq sauce like they do in Texas.
Does look very generous serving-wise, but the decibel levels in that place oughtta be outlawed. I'd rec takeaway only.
Posted by: toodie jane | Tuesday, 14 January 2014 at 07:49 PM