Santa Maria Style BBQ in Santa Maria

Santa Maria Style

Well as you all may of gathered I have been having a great time in California visiting family eating and cooking up a storm up in San Jose. I went south to the area of my origin, Santa Maria, home of Santa Maria Style BBQ. I went to visit my folks for about 10 days. It had been a year since my last visit. If you don't know, I live on Guam and Santa Maria is not just around the corner. Anyway it is always great to visit my folks and the rest of my family. As has been the past custom, so to speak, a big BBQ bash was in order.

The menu was simple....cook alot to feed alot. Here was my menu...

6 racks of baby backs (rubbed and let sit overnight), 20 pounds of chicken thighs and legs (marinated in a soy based sauce overnight), 6 pounds of of pork country style ribs cut for kabobs which were marinaded in Worcestershire sauce and rib rub, 6 pounds of medium sized shrimp, skewered and coated with olive oil and sprinkled with a little dry rub. Same went for the two medium sized red snappers and grilled asparagus, brown button mushrooms, baby bok choy and spanish onions. Of course others made fried rice, bbq'd beans, broccoli salad, and an assortment of desserts and yes, there was plenty of ice cold refreshments and harder drinks as well.

Enough talk, here are some of the pics that I took....

My mother, Connie and sister, Cynthia prepping one of the tables.

Sister Cynthia cutting up the Bok Choy for grilling.

Brother-In-Law, Bones (short for Bonejangles), supervising and keeping hydrated, but it doesn't mean he's a bad person....

Sister Cynthia cutting flowers for the table decorations.

Bones lending one helping hand. One must pace ones self.

Banana leaves under the table settings.

Cynthia dressing up the tables.

Getting the bar table ready for action. More to come.

Bones and my Step-Father Fred. Fred is the fire master.

Fred's red oak burning down.

Red oak coals ready for grilling.

Marinated chicken and dry rubbed baby backs ready to go down.

Aunt Ginni and Uncle Bob just chilaxing.

Bones preaching to Aunt Bobbie and Uncle Johnny "Tripod" Centeno. If his lips are moving, he's lying!!!

Uncle Bob with grand daughter La Bubba.

Time to chow down with Bob Royster and Aunt Sylvia.

Attacking the table from all sides!!

More food being served up.

Hey, no pushing!!

Aunt Sylvia and Elaine talking story.

Mike and Pat picking on the grilled mushrooms, spanish onions, asparagus and baby bok choy.

Grilled baby backs and chicken.

Grilled shrimp and pork kabobs.

Grilled red snapper.

Ray Bonilla and Chincha (Cynthia) at the bar doing what they do best....oh yeah!!

Cousin Tina and the Aunties taking care of business.

La Bubba entertaining all her Aunties.

Table of Honor, just don't get in between them and their plates.

Chincha says the food and drink doesn't get any better than this.

La Bubba going over her song list. She has one beautiful voice. Great Country & Western.

Gotta have music at any BBQ. Bones is getting into it. 

Uncle Johnny, aka Tripod, the eldest of the family, still dishing out lessons.

La Bubba throwing down her set. What a voice!!

Elaine and Mom showing some love.

The "Tripod" and Auntie Bobbie.

Sister and Brother, Mom and Uncle Johnny.

The BBQ and party was so much fun even the dog (Rollie) "tapped out".

It was a great time with great people and everyone had plenty to eat. Everyone chipped in to make this gathering a major success.

If you're wondering what happened to the photos of the grilling action, well all I can say was that I had my hands full being the only one on the grill. No time for photos. But that's OK because that's "What I Do!!!".

I actually gained about 10 lbs on this trip. And that was with me putting in some miles on my bike. Oh well, it was worth it. I hope to lose it all back on Guam.

Santa Maria BBQ is alive and well in Santa Maria, California.

Until next time....

Lloyd's Lounge, San Jose, Cali.

No trip to San Jose, California would be complete without a visit to the famous Lloyd's Lounge located in the Blossom Hill Road area of San Jose. This is one unique place.

I learned about Lloyd's during my numerous trips to visit my sister Cynthia and her husband, the wild and wacky John "Mr. Bonejangles" Vogelsanger, who live in San Jose. As a matter of fact they live right next door to the famous Lloyd's Lounge. You see "Lloyd's", as it is so preciously called, is the house right next door to them. Lloyd Jones, the owner of the house, opens up his garage door every afternoon at 4 pm. That signifies that Lloyd's is open for "business. And there is a lot of business that goes on there. But first let me introduce you to the man himself, Lloyd.

Lloyd A.H. Jones

Now Lloyd is a character himself. He is a retired engineer. A real sharp cookie. He stays up on current events and is always willing to discuss the latest news with you. Lloyd is the epitome of a lounge owner. He is also the leader of the Lloyd's "Gang".

Lloyd discussing ""worldly events" with Mr. Bonejangles".

I like Lloyd's because the "regulars" make this place happen. They keep it live. 

Now this is Dan....

Dan

You can tell by just looking at Dan, that if you are not careful, he will get you in trouble. And in this case, looks are not deceiving. Just ask me. Dan is a master mechanic. Dan told me he has made all the mistakes a mechanic can make and he promoted himself from a brokanic to his current master mechanic status. Dan knows his stuff. Well, at least he talks a good game. I love you man....(I have to say that because I know Dan will be reading this). Dan also has a sideline business of a flashlight salesman. Dan prides himself on the fact that he can find a flashlight for ALL your needs. Dan's motto is "No job too tough that I can't handle." I believe you Dan!!!!

Here is my brother-in-law John "Mr. Bonejangles" Vogelsanger. We call him Bones for short....

Mr. Bonejangles

Now this picture pretty much tells most of the story. "Bones" is one of those characters that the now deceased singer, Rick James, wrote about in his song, "Superfreak". You know, the kind you don't take home to mamma. Well, I don't know what my sister was thinking but you get what you pay for. Bones is also a very accomplished guitar player. He can accompany any singer anytime and anywhere. He will even play the guitar. Bones is the honorary bartender at Lloyd's and he also stays up on current events, just in case you want to know....just don't get him or Lloyd started.

And here is the Lloyd's Lounge Mascot....

The "Duck"

Now the Duck has a very checkered past according to Lloyd. I asked Lloyd to elaborate. Lloyd told me he would but he might have to kill me. I elected not to know and took the Duck at face, beak in this case, value. I think the Duck personifies the values of Lloyd's Lounge, silent but deadly and if you don't watch out, he will definitely get you in a world of s*#t.

So that is what one would deal with when paying a visit to Lloyd's. And if you are a drinker, you will not be disappointed as they start out every daily opening with their infamous "Red Stag" salute....

"Here's to Lloyd's"

And it's all downhill from there. And that is what many past patrons (visiting family members) have told me. Of course I can vouch for that as I have witnessed this on a few occasions during my brief, but climatic visits to Lloyd's.

Here are a few more pictures of happenings at Lloyd's....

Lloyd's has the proper signage so it's easy to spot from the sidewalk.

Lloyd taking in another shot.

Lloyd has the proper owner's certificate. He has it all.

If your lucky, you can have your cert also. But you have to take a "test". Don't worry, it is not a written test. It's all practical.

  

"Bones" offers another shot of Red Stag. 

Lloyd taking down another shot.

Bones pours yet another refreshing "cocktail".

I hope that is Dark Beer there Dan and not Coke or Pepsi.

Dan was explaining his flashlight removal or insertion method. I can't remember which. Dan is a very talented guy!!!

The "regulars" at Lloyd's from left to right, Anthony (master carpenter), Mr. Bonejangles (Bones for short), Lloyd (Owner, resident AH and deviant) and right there in front, Dan the master mechanic, soon to take his flashlight show on "America's Got Talent" (You go Dan!!!). Take a good look at this picture. You just know you can trust each one of these blue-blooded Americans. They will take good care of you. They always do.

Well these are just a few of the regulars that you may encounter at Lloyd's in San Jose. I guarantee you that you will be entertained and leave a "different" person. But that doesn't mean you're a bad person.

So if you are ever in the area of Comanche Court, in the Blossom Hill Road area of San Jose around 4 pm., don't pass up an opportunity to pay a visit to Lloyd's Lounge. You'll be glad you did. It's a life changing experience to say the least!!

Oh and BTW, be prompt. Lloyd's closes his doors no later than 6:30 pm every day. They have to go in and do their honey-dos for momma. All you tough guys out there know what I'm talking about. Playtime is over and out.

Come on by for a visit.

Until next time....