Hot City Barbeque & Bistro has been open for 10 minutes, and it’s already starting to sell out. During this December weekend stop, a lone man came in and bought the Central Valley restaurant’s entire supply of macaroni and cheese, walking out with a large metal tray and leaving a line of disappointed customers in his cheesy wake. 

Such is the nature of Hot City Barbeque in Los Banos, the thriving smoked meat stop just off Interstate 5 between San Francisco and Los Angeles; anything can sell out at any time. Owner Charles Milani does not restrict how much anyone can buy — “It’s right on my sign: ‘first come, first serve’” — no matter how angry some customers get.

“People get upset, it happens. But it’s a good thing,” Milani said. “It’s a way to guarantee that everything is fresh.”

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Hot City Barbeque is about 10 minutes from I-5 on the drive between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Hot City Barbeque is in the Central Valley town of Los Banos. 

Don’t expect to get brisket at this California barbecue restaurant; instead, look for tri-tip, ribs, hot links, pork and chicken. 

Hot City Barbeque has thrived for 25 years in this longtime farming town that doubles as a quick detour from the freeway drudgery. The purveyor of smoked meat specializes in tri-tip and completely skips brisket — this is a California barbecue restaurant after all — in favor of other staples like pork ribs, beef ribs, pulled pork,........

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