Q It Up Catering / Left Coast Open Pit LLC is a catering service in Kalamazoo, Michigan, specializing in authentic Santa Maria style barbecue prepared on-site at events. The company serves private parties, corporate gatherings, and community events with a focus on boneless meats seasoned with handcrafted dry rubs and cooked over hardwood fires. Their menu features signature items such as fire-roasted salsa made from vegetables grilled over oak, beef tri-tip sirloin, boneless chicken thighs, pork loin, and a variety of premium cuts including ahi tuna and turkey. All sides are made from scratch for each event, emphasizing freshness and craftsmanship. With a 4.90 rating, the business is recognized for delivering a distinctive, high-quality barbecue experience that stands out in the Midwest.
The company operates under the name Left Coast Open Pit LLC and emphasizes tradition, authenticity, and culinary precision. Their approach centers on live cooking using only hardwood fuel, with the process beginning with a hardwood fire that reaches peak heat before meats are added for a 2-3 hour cook time. Fire-roasted salsa is prepared simultaneously, using vegetables grilled directly over the flames. This method ensures a smoky, aromatic profile that defines the Santa Maria style. The business prides itself on being a unique, custom caterer that brings a California tradition to the Midwest, offering a memorable, hands-on barbecue experience for events of any size.
Located on Stadium Drive in Kalamazoo, the business sits about half a mile from the Oshtemo Fire House #2 and a short distance from Schellenberg Woods, a nature preserve, and Flesher Field, a local park. It is also within a mile of South Lake and a bit over a mile from Youth Advancement Academy, placing it in a quiet, accessible area near natural and community spaces.
Q It Up Catering is recognized for having a well-optimized website that search engines read cleanly and for maintaining well-documented business information across online platforms, contributing to strong visibility and trust. These factors support its reputation as a reliable and prominent name in the catering industry.
By bringing the distinctive flavors of Santa Maria to Kalamazoo, Q It Up Catering elevates outdoor and indoor events with a rare, wood-fired tradition that is both authentic and unforgettable.