First time diners. Awesome experience. We started with the spicy tacos that were superb. 3 small crispy tacos for $17. Our waiter suggested 1/2 salads. Great suggestion. 1/2 of a wedge salad & 1/2 of a beet were the perfect size. Next we advanced to the braised short rib that was huge. A full rack of baby back ribs is a better value, but way too much for 1 person. Their old fashion has a hint of nutmeg. Unique and tasty! Overall a great experience. read more

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We want to give a shoutout to Tori, who was incredibly accommodating and helped our large party get seated on short notice. The hosts and servers were also wonderful throughout the evening--friendly, attentive, and professional. Unfortunately, the experience took a turn when our steak arrived. It was ordered medium but came out closer to medium-well/well and tasted noticeably burnt. My husband has never sent a steak back before and was actually very hesitant to say anything. Our server was incredibly kind about it, immediately took the steak back, and made us feel completely comfortable bringing it up. Unfortunately, that's when the experience became really uncomfortable. The manager personally brought the steak back out to our table, essentially to show us the steak and explain that, in his opinion, it was medium. We were then asked what we wanted to do. Rather than feeling like our concern was being heard, it felt like we were being challenged for sending back a steak that we simply felt was overcooked. Our entire table became uncomfortable, and there were definitely some awkward looks from surrounding tables. What made it even more frustrating was that, on our walk to the bathroom, we noticed another table had also sent food back. So it was especially uncomfortable to feel as though our table was being treated like we had done something unreasonable by asking for our steak to be cooked to the temperature we ordered. They eventually brought out another steak, but it was well-done on one side and medium-rare on the other. By that point, our table was ready to leave, and the whole situation had put a pretty significant damper on what was supposed to be a fun night with a large group. Afterward, we also noticed that we had been charged for an extra wine glass during happy hour. It was only $5, so we decided it wasn't worth bringing up after an already uncomfortable interaction with management, but unfortunately, it added to the overall impression. We do want to emphasize that the restaurant itself is beautiful, and Tori, our server, and the hosts were genuinely kind and professional. The staff who actually served us did their best to make the evening enjoyable. Unfortunately, the way the steak situation was handled by management turned what should have been a simple issue into a very unpleasant and awkward experience for our entire table. For that reason, despite the positives, we probably won't be returning. read more

Love, love, love!!! This is the perfect starving little getaway place. The food was delicious, the martinis were great and our waitress was in top of everything! Anytime we're up in this area, we will be back! Make sure you sit out in the courtyard! read more

Tarpy's - New American Near Me - Monterey, California

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We absolutely loved the location. The restaurant is a converted mansion from many years ago. The outside dining is stunning as well as the grounds. The service was very good and professional. The food was mixed. The fried artichoke hearts were uninspiring and lacked flavor. But the French Dip was fantastic. The Au Jus was heavenly. The rest of our meal was very good. Overall, a great place and well worth the drive. read more

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The food, service and ambience were good. They very attentive to our needs and very friendly read more

Tarpy's - Bruschetta were ok, was very cheesy. The calamari was too crispy for my liking - New American Near Me - Monterey, California

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Came for a late lunch on a Tuesday specifically for the shrimp and grits, as not many places near Monterey offer it. Everyone was super nice even though it was somewhat busy and the outdoor seating is beautiful on a day with decent weather. Main course came out very quickly which was great as I was starving. The shrimp and grits was very flavorful, didn't have the kick that a more traditional creole version would have but really loved the unique seasoning and was very fresh. Did think the portion was slightly small for what you pay, but I'm also a big eater. Hoping to try the happy hour next. read more

Tarpy's - Shrimp & Grits - New American Near Me - Monterey, California

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Turpie's is great. The service is always great. The weight staff is always very nice and the food is delicious every time!! Nice atmosphere and ambience also!! read more

NICK WAS NICE. Date night in Monterey. Heard they had great steak. 12oz New York steak was good. Double up on the truffle butter and use it on the side of potatoes. I was dipping everything in truffle butter. The fried artichoke hearts were great. It tastes like a mom and pop burgers fried zucchini's. That's not a bad thing if it's enjoyable. If you order the angus steak and the New York steak, they come with the best of both worlds for side dishes. I split the mashed potatoes from the angus steak and some broccolini from the New York steak. And it was a decent balance of protein, veggies and butter haha. Nick was a funny guy. He was friendly and there Every time we needed him. Didn't realize I had made reservations 45 minutes before closing time. We may have been the last couple in the restaurant but he didn't make us feel rushed. read more

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Tarpy's *never disappoints! We held a memorial service here for my beloved in-laws. The staff went above and beyond. They set the room up beautifully and placed some extra tables out for us, which enabled us to play a video, display flowers and photos. The food was served at the perfect temperature and was plentiful. The staff was able to accommodate a group that was far larger than originally anticipated and they were kind enough to set up another large table. Unfortunately I didn't capture any recent photos but again Tarpy's has remained consistent. Thank you Tarpy's! read more

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Dinner at Tarpy's Roadhouse This place just hits every time. The fried artichoke appetizer (not pictured ) is a MUST -- crispy, flavorful, and so addicting. The bruschetta is fresh and perfectly balanced, and their rotating specials like cioppino and roasted duck always deliver. It's one of those go-to spots for special occasions (my grandparents love it here), and the ambiance makes it feel a little extra special every time. Yes, it's on the pricier side -- but when you're in the Salinas/Monterey area, it's a solid choice for a nice dinner with consistently good food. read more

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Daphne was the "breath of fresh air" greeter for the celebration of life I was attending for my Auntie P Andrew was the assistant GM born and raised from the Valley. Jessica, Karen & Natalie were all present as waitresses with the "smile". I failed to photograph pictures of all the yummy goodness food. In spite of cognitive decline with my purpose is to introduce the "finer cuisines" to my hungry peeps!! I highly recommend Tarpy's Roadhouse for all your fine dining indulgences. Yes this was totally a "celebration of life" experience read more

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We had a great experience at Tarpy's. The atmosphere was amazing. We had the prime rib with the truffle butter it was cooked perfectly and taste was excellent. Our service was top notch and our server was Carl he was sweet, accommodating, funny and gave us lots of suggestions for the downtown area. I am definitely going back to this spot. read more

Waiter was lovely, host was a bit standoffish/rude to me but not to other diners (?!), food was WONDERFUL and the ambiance outside was gorgeous. Really lovely spot as far as a garden to enjoy the California weather in -- though planes do flyover occasionally and it's a bit distracting. read more

First time visit near Laguna Seca Racetrack. The historic building has lovingly been maintained. Service was excellent and the food outstanding. read more

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It was my cousin's birthday so I made a reservation for a party of 13 on open table. They were able to accommodate for a wheelchair user and also decorated the table with colorful confetti which a cute touch. We had a great bilingual server which was extremely helpful since my grandma and aunt primarily speak spanish. All the adults got cocktails, while the kids got variations of lemonade mixes. Of all the cocktails we we taste tested, I think the best choice was definitely the mango margarita. For appetizers, we got complimentary bread, calamari and fried artichoke. I am not usually the biggest fan of fried food, but it was the birthday boy's choice. I was impressed by both dishes, especially the fried artichoke. For my main dish I got the New York Steak with Truffle Butter, which was cooked to the perfect medium rare. At the end of our meal, the birthday boy got a complimentary sorbet with a candle. The server even offered to take our pictures and took a couple of group shots. Overall we had a great night, from the drinks to the food to the service. We loved this choice for a celebration night and will definitely be back. read more

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I came here for the first time with some gym buddies where we completed a nice hike nearby. One of my friends recommended this place as they've been many times. We came on a Sunday around the early afternoon and it was moderately busy. We sat outside in the patio area near the building, it was a very nice day. We were greeted by a very nice server who took our drink order. He was very charming and engaged with our table. I decided to go wit the BBQ chicken plate as I was very hungry after the hike and it came with cute corn bread shaped like a cactus. That was a nice touch. My friends had ordered salads and burger and they all enjoyed their meal. This place has ample parking and ample seating if you have a large party. I also wish I remembered our servers name, he was a delight. I recommend Tarpy's! read more

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Do not. I repeat. DO NOT sit outside. planes fly so close and frequent overheard I felt like I could reach out and touch them as they thundered overhead deafening the area in noise. Food was ok, nothing really stood out, waiter was nice, host was a bit rude. read more

Pretty sure I have reviewed Tarpy's before but I just have to mention the consistency of high quality service is outstanding. We decided to drop in and were seated out in the patio. Our server arrived right away and asked about drinks. We ordered the Thirsty Lizards, very refreshing. My favorite appetizer of which there are many- the Ahi Tuna Tacos nice and crunchy, always fresh tuna. The flavors are phenomenal. We added an extra one to keep the peace to make four so no fighting as recommended by our server. We also split the crab cakes which were very nicely breaded and cooked perfectly. The bill was very reasonable and I used my points to have the bill come to under $50. Perfect small meals in a spectacular outdoor setting with top notch servers. 5 Stars All the Way!!!! read more

So I stopped in to Tarpy's to pick up a quick bite to-go after a meeting I had near by, and got the buttermilk battered chicken sandwich.... the horseradish slaw and green goddess aoli are what sold me on the it. Now I have never written a review for a to-go item before, but this was one of the most amazing fried chicken sandwiches I've ever eaten! Chicken wasn't greasy, perfectly cooked, moist and flavorful and had all the "comfort" factor one expects from friend chicken, but the slaw and aoli elevated it without making it pretentious. I'm definitely interested in going back and dining in! read more

Everything is 10/10 !! The food, service, the atmosphere is a vibe of its own. Just beautiful inside. Almost as if you're somewhere in a story book. Definitely worth dining here. Give them a try you will not be disappointed. We did not have reservations, came around 3 in the afternoon. They have their own parking lot so no stress on finding a place to park. read more

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We worked with Ken, Mona, and Bernice to have dinner with our families at Tarpy's after our wedding ceremony. All three of them were so kind and helpful in helping us make the dinner a happy, stress free celebration with the most delicious food. They were super flexible and accommodating and presented us with ideas we would have never thought of. The restaurant itself is simply beautiful, and all the food got rave reviews from everyone. The service team they had helping us was phenomenal. We are so happy we went with Tarpy's and would recommend them to anyone going forward. read more

We hosted our wedding reception at Tarpy's and the entire team made this an incredible day and planning process. Ken, Mona and Bernice were exceptionally professional and made sure that we had more than we needed (or oftentimes even thought of). As former locals, we expected the food to be good... and it was absolutely excellent! All our guests remarked on their meals being delicious. Our service team for the party was also very attentive and so pleasant to work with. Lastly, the venue was beautiful and perfect for our group. I would host ANY event with them again. read more

If you are in the Monterey area, this is a go to restaurant and they must great vibes and absolutely phenomenal food and service. Celebrate a friend's birthday here. The food was good. The drinks were great and the vibe was on point. read more

I always enjoy Tarpy's. Last time there sat outside with a group and had the best food, service and a very enjoyable relaxing evening. We sat on the patio drinking wine and never felt hurried or like we were in the way. Always grateful for the good service and relaxed atmosphere . read more

I like that this place had heaters outside if you wanted to enjoy the flowers and greenery on a chilly night. The inside is very classy and has nice decor. The staff is quick and friendly. My server was super friendly and funny! I had previous dinner plans canceled and last minute had to choose a new place.Thats when Tarpy's came up and I'm so glad it did. They still make their steaks flavorful and juicy, even with me ordering it well done. The calamari was tasty and the vegetables were cooked to perfection. Definitely give this place a try if you like steak and seafood. read more

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Tarpy's Roadhouse has a great historic setting and the food was good, but the service was disappointing, especially considering the prices. I went here for dinner and ordered the filet mignon. The steak was prepared well and tasted good. Unfortunately, the service was perfunctory rather than hospitality. After I was seated, my waitress brought me the menu, took my order for the steak and coffee, and brought my water and coffee. After the food arrived, she checked on me once to ask about a coffee refill, which she brought promptly. Other than that, there was basically no attention to the table while I was eating. I went roughly 15-30 minutes without anyone checking on me, including asking how the steak was or whether I needed anything else. Eventually my plate was cleared and I was offered a dessert menu. At that point I decided I didn't want to spend any more money there and just asked for the check. Nobody was rude to me. That's not the issue. The problem was that the service felt very transactional. At a restaurant at this price point, I expect someone to pay some attention to the table instead of taking the order, dropping off the food, and essentially disappearing until the plate is cleared. I actually gave Tarpy's another chance and came back on another evening. I didn't have a reservation, and the host told me that they were fully booked starting at 6:30 PM. I was given two choices: sit at a dining table and finish a full meal in roughly an hour, or sit at the bar. I don't find bar seating comfortable for a full dinner, and I wasn't interested in spending the evening watching the clock because I had been given a one-hour limit. So I left. It's a nice location and the kitchen is capable of putting out good food; however, between the lack of attentiveness during my first visit and the rigid time constraint for an unreserved walk-in on my second visit, I don't think Tarpy's provides the relaxed dining experience I would expect for the price. **Update:** Rob, who identified himself as the manager, responded to this review saying that he had privately messaged me to see how he could make things right. I never received a private message from him. I then messaged him myself through Yelp and gave him another opportunity to discuss what happened. It has now been more than a month, and I still have not heard back. I would have been happy to talk about the experience and give the restaurant a chance to address my concerns. Instead, the only communication I've received was the public response saying that he had reached out to me. No message ever arrived. He never responded to my follow-up. At this point, it is hard not to see the public response as being more about optics--making it look like he was trying to solve the problem--than actually trying to solve the problem. read more

I've been coming to Tarpy's Roadhouse for more than 30 years and always enjoy a wonderful experience! On this visit, we sat on the beautiful side porch, which has one of the loveliest garden settings in the area. It's shaded and heated, making it an especially comfortable and relaxing place to enjoy a meal. My summary reflects two recent enjoyable visits within a week! We started with the high-quality bread and butter and I enjoyed my favorite refreshing iced Sport Tea. We shared the Giant Bavarian Pretzel, ale-washed and sprinkled with Maldon sea salt, accompanied by ale-cheddar and whole-grain mustard. We also enjoyed the Castroville Artichoke, coal-roasted and served with blistered tomatoes and a flavorful lemon-basil pesto. I ordered my very favorite Cobb Salad, with grilled chicken, bacon, avocado, tomato, egg, creamy gorgonzola dressing and crumbled gorgonzola. It's a delicious combination that I always greatly enjoy. My friend had the Fuji Apple Salad, featuring local mixed greens, candied pecans, gorgonzola cheese and white balsamic vinaigrette, which she loved. We also split an excellent Iceberg Wedge with bacon, cherry tomatoes and gorgonzola cheese. Another highlight was a special--a delicious crispy Halibut Fish and Chips with several tasty sauces. The halibut was wonderfully crisp on the outside and tender inside. We loved it! The professional servers and staff add so much to the experience, and there is ample, easy parking, which is always a plus. It's a great meeting place if someone is coming from Salinas, too. They offer several private rooms for special events and meetings! Between the consistently delicious food, excellent service, distinctive atmosphere and gorgeous garden setting, Tarpy's Roadhouse has kept me coming back often for more than three decades. Tarpy's continues to be a top favorite. Highly recommended! read more

I have bee to this place many times and have had different experiences. Generally it has been lunch and food and service has been excellent. This time we went to dinner and the service was a bit slow, albeit our server did her best to accommodate everyone. The food was disappointing. The coffee rubbed wings were terrible. We had salad with salmon and a blackened salmon burger. Both were lacking flavor. My salad has no salad dressing and the blackened salmon was falling apart which tells me it was old. read more

Tarpy's - New American Near Me - Monterey, California

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I've loved this restaurant for so many years, we always appreciate the fantastic staff, service and food. Thank you for making such a great experienc for our family and friends. read more

First off it's a beautiful building restored in 1909 we were told. The happy hour is fantastic and priced great for the area. We had exceptional service from the server Nicholas! He said to call him Nick from Nepal. Such a great guy and the food was amazing as well. I highly recommend coming here if in the area. Ask for Nick he won the best server in Monterey County 5 years in a row. read more

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Great food. Great service Easy free parking. Great friendly staff A little expensive but worth it Great atmosphere inside and outside. I'd recommend trying this place. read more

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We had the crabcakes and the pretzel with extra mustard. The drinks here are well made. It is very busy right now because of LagunaSega Raceway is having a big event. read more

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First things first the food and service was excellent. But when we went to pay, a friendly ratatouille joined us on the patio. The mouse didn't seemed bothered by us as we walked by and was eating off the dessert plate left on the table. Went from a 5 star to a 2 star very quickly for us. Some would mark it as a 1 star on this alone. But if I am paying $100 a person at a nice steak restaurant I don't want rodents on tables next to me. read more

Tarpy's - New American Near Me - Monterey, California

Went there for the 1st time and I must say I wasn't disappointed at all . Besides the very good food the interior was very pleasant and so was the energy of the establishment , and definitely returning sooner than later . read more

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Used to Be a Vibe -- Now It's Giving "Nah." So here's the tea: Every year after Retiree Appreciation Day at the General Stilwell Center, a bunch of us military folks roll through Tarpy's. It's kind of our unofficial tradition -- decompress, eat solid food, vibe out with some steak and small talk. Food? Still decent. Atmosphere? Still got that stone-wall rustic-core going for it. But this year? The energy was off. We're wrapping up, about to pay, and I politely ask (as we've done for years), "Hey, do you still offer a military discount?" And the server -- loud enough for my guest to hear -- drops this gem: "Just because it's a community doesn't mean we have a discount." Uhhh... what? That was so unnecessarily snarky it gave me whiplash. Now look -- it's not about the discount. We weren't begging for five bucks off the bill like we're at a clearance rack. It's about the vibe check... and that failed HARD. Honestly, I wasn't going to post. But after hearing similar stories from other service members lately? Yeah, someone's gotta say something. So here it is: Tarpy's, you used to be part of the post-ceremony healing ritual. Now you're just... part of the group chat rant. If this was just one cranky server, fine. But if this is your new normal? I'll take my business somewhere that doesn't serve attitude with the appetizers. Do better. We miss the old you. -- A Millennial, Veteran Who Tips Well But Doesn't Tolerate Weird Energy read more

Tarpy's - It's a Receipt.. sadly, probably last time eating there after going there for past few decades - New American Near Me - Monterey, California

My review has been long overdue. Tarpy's has been a staple in my family & a special place to celebrate for years. They have hosted my wedding reception and countless special celebrations with no complaints. At Tarpy's, I always receive welcoming customer service, delicious food, and a beautiful ambiance. Their patio is dog friendly and they even offer a dog menu! My pup received lots of love last time we took him. Shout out to all who work to make Tarpy's an enjoyable experience. A special thanks to Isabelle from Coastal Roots who helped make my wedding reception experience smooth & NICK for being the best waiter & making my family laugh. Favorites: the famous meatloaf, chili crusted chicken, chicken sandwich, & the pork chop! Great cocktails as well. read more

Girl's trip first dinner and Tarpy's and definitely meet our expectations- Carl was amazing with a great fun attitude!! Food and drinks were very satisfying making it a great night. read more

The service was impeccable. The ambiance (we sat outside) was nice. The food was outstanding.

Having eaten at Tarpy's in the past we knew where it was located but on the way there we could not recall the name of this place. It was not memorable which was a sign of things to come. It gives me angst when I can not give a restaurant a 5 star review. I understand that a lot of time, effort and money goes into preparing meals that are then offered up for customers so a lot is riding on a restaurant staying profitable My reviews are just a quick snapshot in time and possibly for this review it would have been more positive if I had chosen something different to eat. Tarpy's menu offered up two of my favorite entrees; bbq pork ribs and lamb shank. I chose the Guajillo-Braised Lamb Shank for $48.95. It was served over creamy polenta with sun-dried tomatoes, fava beans and crispy onions. However, I have only had shank prepared as they do in the Middle East, in a tomato sauce. Tarpy's rendition doesn't come close. It was just meh. My wife had the halibut with mashed potatoes and steamed spinach. If she really enjoys a meal she will offer up positive comments. If the food is just okay, she will remain silent. My wife is a lover of fish but no exclamations came forth. We chose to sit outdoors which is dog friendly and with the heaters on, all was well. The servers were spot on, so no complaints on that front. I think I will give Tarpy's another try and choose the pork ribs to see if they are the shining star on the menu. read more

This restaurant was recommended by someone on TikTok, so we decided to check it out. The ambiance was perfect, and staff was very friendly and helpful. Our server, Nick, was so knowledgeable, friendly and very very polite. He honestly made our experience so much better with our short conversation we had. I'm not from the area, but because of Nick, I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

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