This Restaurant In Los Alamos Might Be The Best-Kept Secret In Southern California
By Natasha Kayes|Published September 26, 2023
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
The town of Los Alamos is a hidden gem in the northern part of Santa Barbara County, a small community that feels like a slice of the Old West with a charming touch of modern. I love the town’s laid-back atmosphere, historic buildings, burgeoning food and wine scene, and surrounding farms, vineyards, and ranches. It also happens to be home to one of Southern California’s best-kept secrets (at least for now). This barbecue restaurant in Los Alamos, CA, definitely needs to be on your radar.
Priedite BBQ is a perfect example of “if you know, you know.” With no brick-and-mortar building, but a permanent location, Priedite BBQ is a pop-up restaurant, operating out of plain sight on weekends only.
You will find Predate Barbecue on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., hiding in the back outdoor area of this little restaurant, Bell’s.
The hours are not exactly set in stone. While the eatery opens at the same time every weekend, closing time is a bit fluid as they often sell out before the posted hour.
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Out of sight, out of mind? Nope, not for those in the know. Locals wait all week for this and the lines form out front well before the pop-up opens in the morning.
Priedite is all about the grill and smoker, “cooking old-school barbecue with modern techniques,” with brisket, ribs, homemade sausage, and chopped pork smoked over local oak wood. The menu is inspired by California ranchero culture and uses local, seasonal ingredients.
Saturdays are BBQ Round Ups, featuring smoked meats by the pound (including the coveted burnt ends), tasty sides, and unconventional (and mouthwatering) tacos on hand-made flour tortillas. Sides include red rice, beans, potato salad, fennel jalapeño slaw, and picante pickles. For dessert, customers rave over the Buttermilk Pudding.
Sundays are for Bandito Burgerz. These are not your typical burgers, with ground brisket, grilled onions, picante pickles, burger sauce and cheese. Pair your sandwich with potato salad, slaw, or tortilla chips with guacamole and roasted salsa. End on a sweet note with a one-of-a-kind chocolate ancho-almond cookie.
There are also some spontaneous smoker pop-ups and collaborations with local wineries, breweries, farms, etc.
Like any popular restaurant, the pop-up has some cool merchandise, including hats, hoodies, t-shirts, and more for sale. You can also purchase give cards for your favorite BBQ lovers.
Priedite is owned and operated by Pitmaster Nicholas Priedite and his business partner, Brendan Dwan. Nicholas’ passion for food and barbecue perfection, together with Brendan’s knowledge and experience in the restaurant industry, have resulted in a crave-worthy local institution.
If you weren’t already making plans to be in Los Alamos, this barbecue restaurant is a great reason to do so. Have you heard of this pop-up eatery? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Find more information and a calendar of upcoming events on the Priedite BBQ website. If you are looking for a quiet, relaxing getaway with plenty to see, do, and eat, why not spend the weekend in Los Alamos? Consider a stay at Victorian Mansion at Los Alamos, an unforgettable B&B with six incredibly different themed guest rooms!
