Paniolo Santa Maria Style BBQ

Our Story

Welcome to Paniolo BBQ, where the tradition of Santa Maria Style BBQ is alive and thriving. Our family, the Diaz family, has been passionate about cooking and sharing this unique style of BBQ for over three generations. We're proud to bring this culinary tradition from the Santa Maria Valley to the beautiful island of Kauai.

Our story began when Art Sr, Joanne, Michelle, Jared, Art Jr, and Karleigh Diaz decided to relocate to Kauai in the mid-90s. The island's enchanting beauty and the need for a new challenge led us to explore the possibility of sharing our family's BBQ tradition with the local community. With the recession affecting many families, we knew we had to start small and work hard to establish ourselves.

We began by attending farmers' markets and various festivals, offering our delicious Santa Maria Style BBQ at an affordable price. This venture, which we called "Recessions Santa Maria Style BBQ, " allowed us to connect with the community and gain a loyal following. As our popularity grew, we started offering catering services, which led to the need for a larger, mobile BBQ pit. This new pit enabled us to bring our ranch-style cuisine to offsite locations for special events and gatherings.

After years of hard work and reinvesting our earnings, we were finally presented with the opportunity to open a full-time location. And so, Paniolo Grill was born. Our goal has always been to provide hearty portions at a reasonable price, and we're thrilled to continue serving the Kauai community with our authentic Santa Maria Style BBQ.

Music & Events

At Paniolo BBQ, we believe that good food and good music go hand in hand. That's why we regularly host live music events at our location. From local bands to solo artists, we feature a variety of musicians who add to the lively atmosphere of our restaurant. Join us for an evening of great food, live music, and good company. Check our events calendar for upcoming performances.

Our Menu

Our menu is designed to showcase the best of Santa Maria Style BBQ. We offer a range of options to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences. From our famous tri-tip steak and country-style ribs to our vegetarian specials and seafood options, there's something for everyone at Paniolo BBQ.

Dinner

Tuesday - Saturday: 4:30PM - 9:30PM

Order Online

For your convenience, we offer online ordering. Simply visit our website, select your items, and we'll have your order ready for pickup at your preferred time.

Off The Grill Plates

Our off-the-grill plates are designed to give you a taste of our signature BBQ. Choose from tri-tip steak, country-style ribs, or chicken breast, all served with Paniolo's homemade chili, rice, fresh garden salad, fresh salsa, and grilled garlic bread.

Children

We offer a keiki menu for our younger guests, featuring options like hamburgers, cheeseburgers, grilled cheese, chicken and fries, rib and fries, and tri-tip and fries. All meals come with fries, and you can substitute for sweet potato fries or a salad and onion rings for a small additional fee.

Ala Carte

Our ala carte menu includes items like chili and rice bowls, Frito pie, and baskets of fries, onion rings, and sweet potato fries. You can also customize your meal with our Diablo fries, featuring Paniolo chili, cheese, glazed tri-tip, and jalapeno.

Salads & Seafood

Our salad options include a garden salad, tri-tip steak salad, BBQ chicken breast salad, and an alada taco salad. For seafood lovers, we offer a grilled ono salad featuring fresh ono, romaine lettuce, cranberries, feta cheese, house dressing, grilled onions, fresh salsa, and grilled garlic bread.

At Paniolo BBQ, we're committed to serving high-quality, delicious food that brings people together. Come visit us, enjoy our BBQ, and experience the spirit of aloha that makes Kauai such a special place.