Tri-Tip Sandwich

In and around Santa Maria, California, tri-tip is a favorite cut of beef. Although it will never be as supple as filet mignon or as succulent as densely-marbled prime rib, marinated tri-tip cooked over live oak flames is packed with resounding flavor and robust character that sing of the Golden State’s frontier days. It’s often found as part of a ritual feast that includes pinquinto beans, garlic bread, and salsa; but sliced tri-tip also is a worthy candidate for sandwiches. In San Luis Obispo, California, for instance, there are Old San Luis’ tri-tip on on sourdough and Firestone Grill’s tri-tip sandwich dressed with BBQ sauce and garlic butter.