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    The Tri-Tipery

    4.0 (205 reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    The Tri-Tipery Photos

    THE TRI-TIPERY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Tri-Tipery

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    Paolo B.

    Visiting the Central Valley wanted to try something new, was craving bbq and we decided to drop by the Tri-Tipery for a quick lunch. We pulled up around noon and there wasn't much of a crowd so we were able to order and get our food pretty quickly. The menu prices are pretty good with a full meal coming in around $21.50 and under $18 for a Tri tip salad. I got their famous wagon wheel Tri tip sandwich on Texas toast. The meat itself was tasty but a little on the dry side. They shave the meat which makes pouring the bbq sauce over the sandwich a bit easier. I tried three of them and their white bbq sauce, which I think has horseradish in it was my favorite. The sriracha one was tasty too. The bread kinda falls apart but it's a tasty sandwich at the end of the day. The fries it came with were thin and crispy. Pretty good on a fry scale. The salad was was pretty average, something that I'd make at home type minus the tri tip. They give a good amount of tri-tip for the salad which is worth the add-on for less than $3. They use Ken's ranch which isn't the best. If they had a homemade ranch, I think that would elevate since they already make some good sauces. The space itself is huge. Lots of covered seating for the warm months, and plenty of park benches and tables to enjoy your meal. Looks like the concerts out here on weekends which is cool. Due to the location and not being from the area, I definitely wouldn't have found this place without Yelp, and glad we did. It's a spot that I'd check out again.

    Menu 9/19/2025
    Rob M.

    The Friday's $1 ice cold beer special keeps us coming back. Got the pulled pork topped burger (the special for the day) and it was good. Their fries are also top notch. I almost never order anything that contains tri-tip because it is too dry. Their chicken, burger, and pork offerings are much better. Prices have really increased, but the $1 beers kind of offset that!

    Tri tip sandwich
    Kevin L.

    This was a popular place, but still had plenty of seating for everybody. Their Tri tip was lean and has great flavor. Definitely a place that I would come back to.

    Jane P.

    Pretty good lunch/dinner spot. I ordered the Wagon Wheel with Sweet Potato Fries, it also comes with a side of fruit of the day which were apricots. The sandwich was good, the meat was tender and the side of sweet BBQ was the perfect match. Sweet potato fries were standard and the apricots were sweet. The ambiance is great, outdoor seating with lots of shade & umbrellas. Looks like they have live bands on weekends. The only thing that was annoying was that there were a lot of flies since it's all outdoors. The service was great, friendly & quick. Definitely family & dog-friendly. Looking forward to go back again!

    Tri-Tipery sign
    Gen T.

    Ballico ballico, can you say the whistle stop cafe? If you know, it's a Fried Green Tomatoes movie reference. Here goes...There is something so quaint and country about this little railroad town's Trip-Tipery. The perfect stop on a long California drive, and yes it feels like you're in the middle of nowhere, which makes it the perfect destination for a good food stop. The tri tip is so perfectly tender and thinly sliced. The BBQ sauce is special, and the sides....delicious! We stumbled upon it by a Google search chance a few mo the ago and have already gone back a second time to share it with our college kiddo who also approved. I can only not imagine how fun it is when they have their live music.

    The wagon wheel with pasta salad and a plum
    Joe B.

    What a cool place. We finally made it over there. Great Tri-Tip sandwiches. They also have awesome homemade bbq sauces and maybe the best onion rings of all time. Only drawback I saw was they don't make their own ranch dressing for the rings. I also had the pasta salad and that was delicious. It had a sweetness to it like I hadn't tasted before. Really a great spot. The service is good. It's not the type of place where they serve your table. It's a walk up window to order and another to pick up. Lots of picnic tables with umbrellas. They have a stage area and have music on the weekends so will definitely be back to check that out.

    Paper menu. The main menu had too much light glare.
    Fred F.

    I loved what I got. One overly salty , but when I return , I might ask about the saltiness great flavor and great sauces. Can't say enough...

    Menu (sorry about the glare)

    We went on a Saturday around 2pm there was no one but one family who had already ordered ate and was on their way out. So not having to wait was awesome. The customer service was just ok. The person taking the order didn't greet us he just looked at us and asked if we were ready and had an expressionless face to him the entire time we ordered. I pressed to get a receipt on the machine when I paid and no thank you was said by the male employee and he started walking away so I asked the other employee close to the Window if I can have the receipt I pressed yes for and they just handed it to me and walked back to the kitchen area. No thank you from her either no smile no nothing. We ordered the Texan and a smash burger. One of the sides was the Mac n cheese and the other meal's side was garlic fries. The meals did come with a small drink and a side of fruit (Ours had grapes that day). The Texan was a bit dry on the meat but other than that, all the food was good.

    Harvest salad with tri tip
    Alicia F.

    Quite literally a hidden gem! Located in the middle of nowhere in Ballico, CA, off of Santa Fe Road. I am fan of the outdoor concept but central valley problems, it is HOT in the summer. There is an covered patio with fans but you'll be sweating your butt off during the warmer months. You order at the register and they will call you over when your order is ready. If you like tri tip, this is a must try. From the texan sando to the harvest salad with tri tip, everything on this menu is *chefs kiss* The sauces take the flavor over the top. I also really enjoy all their sides. Mac & cheese, mac salad, garlic and sweet potato fries...I'm hungry just thinking about it. Honestly, you can't beat the prices here! $2.75 for regular beer and $4 for premium, those aren't even happy hour prices!

    Texan sandwich with macaroni and cheese
    RJ A.

    The food here was good and a decent price. The Texan seemed like the most interesting sandwich on the menu and I enjoyed it. To tip, barbecue sauce, avocado, and onions made for a good combination. It wasn't huge but wasn't small either. I liked that you got to pick a side so I tried the macaroni and cheese. It wasn't amazing but wasn't bad either. Staff were friendly and there was lots of seating on a covered patio. This place was kind of in the middle of nowhere but if for some reason you happen to be in the area I suspect you'll enjoy your lunch!

    My wife photo bombing my shot trying to be fast because the garlic fries are too good to wait for!
    Kenneth A.

    The Tri- Tipery is a gem of a date spot! Dynamite for a family date night! Bocce ball and games for kids and patio inside and out for time under the stars or the fading summer sun! A great menu that showcases sweet potato fries and excellent marinaded and seasoned tri tip and other cuts of meat. Great after a Ballico Elementary game to feed hungry kids! Don't pass up the opportunity to try this one out. Tell them I sent you, they will have no clue who you're talking about!

    Classic Oak Tri-Tip and Onion rings. Pear not ripe but a nice touch.
    EB K.

    Pretty tasty, meat was a bit dry and I would have liked to see a bit more moisture. Nice oak flavor. Great spot, well done would love to try some more of what they offer. The place is super rad.

    This was about 5pm and the party was just getting started ! Bring the mosquito spray-

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    6 months ago

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Good so good. The Wagon Wheel meal is the best. Don't forget the beans are the perfect side

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    1 year ago

    Wow...they have some smashing sammies!!! The meat melts in your mouth and the taste is beyond incredible!

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    11 months ago

    Amazing food and great service great stop for a road trip definitely some of the best garlic fries I've ever had

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    2 years ago

    Had the Fifty/fifty burger, Mac salad and street tacos - good portions, perfect reload after hike

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    2 years ago

    Great BBQ! A little on the pricier side but the food is definitely worth it. The ambiance great especially on Friday nights.

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - The Tri-Tipery

    Are they really open until 8pm Saturdays in Ballico?

    Yes! Friday and Sat open til 8, Tues-Thurs to 7 and Sunday til 5

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    Wolfsen's Meat & Sausage

    Wolfsen's Meat & Sausage

    4.5(292 reviews)
    21.2 mi
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Pet friendly

    Again we made the trek to Gustine from Modesto Just to try…read moreand check out Wolfsens saw several influences talk about it here! We got sandwiches Sausages Some candy Ground pork The staff was very friendly and helpful We would definitely come.out again Nice country drive on a Saturday afternoon! Very blessed to.be able to!

    I stopped by Wolfsen's Meat and Sausage in Gustine and was immediately impressed by their…read moreselection. They have more varieties of sausage than I have ever seen. I picked up some chicken artichoke, a beer sausage, and a smoked maple. The smoked maple was outstanding and easily my favorite. The staff was friendly and welcoming from the moment I walked in. They greeted me right away and asked what I wanted to order, which I always appreciate. I also decided to try a brisket sandwich, which looked too good to pass up. The brisket itself was very good and full of flavor. That said, I am someone who pays close attention to food handling. I tend to notice when gloves are used as a substitute for proper hygiene rather than an added layer of protection. Unfortunately, that showed up here. The employee making my sandwich handled a large magic marker to write something, then immediately went back to preparing food without changing gloves. That is always disappointing to see. Because of that, I ended up eating more of the meat and less of the bread, but the quality of the brisket still stood out. I did take a picture of my brisket sandwich, but the picture did not do it justice, so I decided not to post it. Overall, there is a lot to like here, especially the incredible sausage selection and the friendly service. I would definitely come back to try the tri-tip sandwich. I just hope the magic maker disappears.

    Photos
    Wolfsen's Meat & Sausage
    Wolfsen's Meat & Sausage - Turkey sandwich

    Turkey sandwich

    Wolfsen's Meat & Sausage

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    The Goods - Sandwich

    The Goods

    4.4(26 reviews)
    16.2 mi

    I stopped by here on a whim today after walking by several times and seeing both indoor and outdoor…read moreseating was full. I wanted a sweet treat and found this tiramisu, the best dessert I've had in a while. It's so light, fluffy, not too sweet and not soggy at all. I was intrigued by this prickly pear soda and it was the freshest tasting soda I've ever had. While looking at those, one of their customers urged me to try the daily fresh made pasta. The individual that helped us was very informative and super sweet making pleasant small talk. The pasta was again incredibly fresh and tasty, the pesto on it was amazing and my friend agreed; the best pesto we've ever had. It's an adorable shop with dishware and other trinkets and food for sale . 10/10, no notes, would definitely recommend. This is a Merced local gem. (I would add pictures but we have consumed literally all of what we bought)

    Over-priced sandwiches. Mostly bread, little meat. No option to customize. There was fresh pasta…read moremade but no sign to say it existed nor pricing. I asked what the portions and prices were and he seemed surprised I asked. I get what they're trying to do, to offer legit Italian meat, pasta, sweets etc. However Merced lacks the clientele to support this niche business. I appreciate the legit mortadella and prosciutto, it's been a year since we were in Italy. They need to make heftier sandwiches loaded with actual substance if they're gonna charge that much. Include a drink too. Lastly, I had no idea this place existed. My brother mentioned it to me and we checked it out. Need more advertising and food selection to match pricing.

    Photos
    The Goods - Such a cozy nook to eat your pastry and chat with friends!!

    Such a cozy nook to eat your pastry and chat with friends!!

    The Goods
    The Goods

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    Prunedale Market - The tri-tip sandwich is always cooked to perfection and has such great flavor. Everything is delicious and seasoned perfectly.

    Prunedale Market

    4.8(832 reviews)
    70.9 mi
    $$

    I'm not from the area, but my friend, who is a local, recently brought me here to try what he…read moreclaimed was one of the best tri-tip sandwiches in California. The trip was completely spontaneous since we had been in Big Sur earlier that day, but it ended up being well worth the drive. I never would've expected this market to be tucked away at the end of a residential street, but once you get close, you can smell the food before you even arrive. The sandwich was incredible...huge enough that we had to share it. The meat was so juicy it was literally dripping down my fingers, and I made an absolute mess eating it. I would definitely return. It truly feels like a hidden hole-in-the-wall spot run by hardworking, down-to-earth people. The owner was personable, engaged in friendly banter, and made the experience even better. Plenty of locals stopped by during our lunch, and what really stood out was that he even remembered my friend despite him not having lived in the area for the past three years.

    Wow! From the moment we walked in, we felt welcome like family! Martin is so friendly and…read morepersonable. His market has just what you need, let's talk about the BBQ! Uuuf! The soup of the day was split pea, I've never had a better one! With chunks of ham and vegetables, it was the perfect amuse-bouche! Next comes the Tri-tip sandwich! Tender, juicy and full of flavor! Last but never least, the ribs! Tender, fall off the bone, smoky! We got the full rack for four of us, we each took home ribs for the family! We stopped here on our road trip and I suggest it to anyone looking for a lunch stop! Will be singing Martin's praise for years to come!

    Photos
    Prunedale Market - Current menu

    Current menu

    Prunedale Market - A nice balance of tri-tip, veggies and Frito Lays Chili Cheese corn chips

    A nice balance of tri-tip, veggies and Frito Lays Chili Cheese corn chips

    Prunedale Market - Martin gave us a succulent rib sample

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    Martin gave us a succulent rib sample

    Sourdough & Co - French Dip

    Sourdough & Co

    3.6(19 reviews)
    29.1 mi

    Great Quality Sourdough, but a Bit Pricey…read more Rating: 4/5 Stars (I'd give it 4.5 if I could!) We had a really solid lunch here. The food quality is definitely high and everything felt very fresh, though it is a bit of a "premium" experience for a sandwich shop. What We Ordered: 8-inch French Dip: My husband really enjoyed this--the bread held up great to the au jus. 6-inch Turkey and Salami: This was my choice, and the meats were high-quality and the sourdough had that perfect crunch. Kids' Ham and Cheese: Both kids finished their sandwiches with no complaints! Service was fairly fast, which is a huge plus when you're out with the family. My only real "critique" (besides the price) is the kids' meal side; it comes with applesauce, and there was no option to swap it out for chips. We spent about $67 for the four of us. It's a little pricey for a sandwich spot, but you can definitely taste the difference in the freshness of the ingredients. A really good spot if you're looking for a high-quality sub. Great bread and solid service!

    We were recently driving through the area and I wanted a sandwich. I came across this place and…read moredecided to give it a try as I love sourdough bread. I got their kids meal and tried their turkey sandwich, and ordered for pick up. My order was not ready by the time they had estimated, but it was okay I did not mind at all. It was pretty busy inside, I waited maybe 10 minutes for my order. The sandwich was good, I unfortunately, I was not a big fan of the turkey itself. The restaurant is located in a shopping center with plenty of parking, and it definitely looks like a favorite as there were so many people constantly walking in and out.

    Photos
    Sourdough & Co
    Sourdough & Co - Kids Meal Turkey & American

    Kids Meal Turkey & American

    Sourdough & Co - Turkey, Salami & Pepper Jack

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    Turkey, Salami & Pepper Jack

    The Tri-Tipery - sandwiches - Updated May 2026

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