Daniel Castillo’s salsa-verde-smothered, hickory-smoked tri-tip, topped with buttery ripe avocado slices and served with a “Caesar slaw,” just steps away from the breaking waves, seems like a mirage at first.
But Smokehouse By Heritage Barbecue has been quietly operating in Bolsa Chica since May 3rd. Since then, it's been a secret known primarily to surfers, beachgoing families, and e-bikers on the boardwalk, lured in by the enticing smell of his carne asada-style tri-tip.
“Eating barbecue with tortillas and salsa is how I like to eat barbecue at home,” Castillo, a 2025 James Beard Award Finalist for “Best Chef” in California, tells L.A. TACO after a visit.