This place is on the California list as one the best sandwiches around well I here to tell it ain't no joke this place and the owner is above awesome. You would not think Fritos on a sandwich would be good well you are wrong it's awesome good . First off this place is in a residential area just something for you to know when you are looking for place lots parking great area to sit outside and eat . Thru have a water hose outside don't laugh you are going to need it . This is the kind of sandwich you don't roll up you sleeves you close curtain and get naked ha ha you have to stand and eat thus sandwich like I said it's no joke plenty of meat soft bun it's perfect. Now let's talk about the owner this guy is the best I offer to tip he no tip and handed me a free sample of some delicious soup lots and lots of ham in this soup . The wife totally enjoyed it . After our lunch oh I forget it's a big sandwich remember that . He came out to where we were eating and gave us both a chocolate ice cone . This guy is totally a cool guy I am definitely going back it's going to be our regular stop from Bay Area into Carmel take my advice and do the same you won't want to miss this sandwich like said there is gotta be a reason it's on the best sandwiches in California list read more

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This place is soo goood. They have big mouth sandwiches! We got the pastrami sandwich and it was loaded with meat and super juicy and tender also flavorful smoky. Also got the tri-tip which is super good and it had like a garlicky rub on it and had the best smoky flavor is also a tender as well. I love the little touch of the flaming hot Fritos because that crunch and that little bit of kick gives the sandwiches that much more of flavor and goodness. We really wanted the turkey sandwich but who knew that turkey is hard to find but we will definitely be back to try that mess try. read more

Wonderful owner who will cheer your day plus the best chili I have ever had. Tri tip is juicy and tender.

My kind of place! This is a neighborhood convenience store and capital 'D' Deli in a rural area. I saw the large sign while driving northbound 101 in Prunedale..."Best BBQ" with Yelps logo on the sign. I hadn't eaten all day. I have to check this out. It was a small market with a deli counter. The friendly gentlemen (the owner) behind the counter was very welcoming, chatting with us nonstop as we pondered what to order. My wife and I ordered two sandwiches, one tri tip and the other pastrami. While we were waiting and chatting with the owner, he served us both a complimentary small cup of clam chowder. It was delicious. Who gives out complimentary helpings these days??? No one! The owner asked us if we were okay with him making sandwiches how he likes them. In 58 years of eating at restaurants, I've never been asked that question. Of course I said "Sure, okay." He put bbq sauce, mustard, and flaming red hot Fritos on my tri tip sandwich with the other usual standard fixings. It tasted great! Huge portion of meat. Large French roll. It was an impressive sandwich. Oh, and I forgot to mention, he's smoking ribs and sausages on premise besides the tri tip. I will go out of my way to frequent this deli/market. Soup, sandwiches, bbq; you can't go wrong. Anyone within 30 minutes drive should try this place. You won't be sorry! read more

Great food with even better service. We drive down from Washington state and always stop in when we are in the area.

This truly is the best sandwich in California..... wait in The WORLD!!!! We read SF Gate review of this place and stopped in for a sandwich. We were greeted by the owner with a smile and a sample of the chowder. The chowder was amazing, hot, perfectly prepared with some amazing sourdough bread. Then we ordered tri tip sandwiches..... you get this amazing bread, topped with tri tip perfectly cooked, BBQ sauce, lettuce and spicy Fritos. It was amazing! The sandwich was enough to have for lunch and dinner. We got some chowder to go. If you are still reading this, hop in your car and go get a sandwich!!! Maybe don't eat breakfast so you can enjoy the generous portions!!! Cheers! read more

Prunedale Market - Tri Tip Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Prunedale, California

Incredible food - go on Friday's for amazing clam chowder. Everyone tries the tri tip sandwich and it's a go to of mine. I enjoy the chicken, the ribs, and when Marty finds them the brats are outstanding. read more

The sandwiches and the soups are absolutely delicious! The tri-tip sandwiches are cooked to perfection and have such great flavor. The soups are very savory and amazingly seasoned. Definitely my go-to place for when I have a big appetite! read more

Prunedale Market - One the best deli sandwiches I've had! Definitely my go-to for when I have a big appetite and want a savory bite. - Barbeque Near Me - Prunedale, California

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This place is amazing and definitely lives up to the SF gate hype. Upon entering we were offered bowls of chili - which was possibly the best chili Ive ever had. I tried to order two tri tip sandwiches, one for the wife and one for me, but the guy running the place (whos super cool btw) suggested we only get one because the sandwiches are pretty big. Oh man was he right. The sandwich was huge! Wife couldnt even finish her half. The tritip was delicious and had a wonderful smoke to it. After chowing down I had to go back in to grab a T shirt. The guy running the spot offered me a sample of the smoked ham. The sample was an entire sandwich lol. Wow! It was also AMAZING. Only downside is that now it will be tough to decide between the smoked ham and tri tip the next time I go there - which will hopefully be very soon. Highly recommend! read more

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What an incredible find. Was staying at an AirBnB about 5 miles away, and decided to check yelp to see if anything jumped out, only to find a 5-Star BBQ place right up the way. Obviously I immediately planned the following the following day around getting it for lunch. Grabbed a TriTip Sandwich, 1/2 rack of ribs, and the corn chowder. I'd seen it was cash only, so, I came prepared. But, realized the prices had updated and I was a little short. Mentioned that sadly to the owner who just said "Oh, not to worry, we're getting you out of here with everything." and just shrugged off the difference in cost. The kind of friendly service you say doesn't exist anymore? Right here. Now, I smoke ribs and pulled pork at home pretty regularly. Which is what my family is used to. I was excited to see how this compared. Wife took one bite, audibly said "Oh my God.", and followed it up with "I'm sorry, but, these are the best ribs I've ever eaten. Puts yours to shame." I have to agree. The bark was incredible, the ribs SO Smokey and moist and delicious. Comes with some home made bbq for dipping, and did we dip? I dipped, she dipped. The TriTip sandwich comes with thin sliced, moist TriTip, some flaming hot Fritos sprinkled on top to give a little crunch to your munch as well as some fresh crispy sliced onions. The whole thing SHOULD have been overwhelming. I should have been in a good coma for the remainder of the day. But, somehow it was exactly right. Fluffy, moist, dense with flavor, perfection. Finally, the corn chowder has the kitchen sink of Meatballs, Chicken, and veggies in there, and is flavor perfection. We'll be moving locally in the next year, and I can guarentee I will be back here OFTEN. Thanks again! read more

Prunedale Market - TriTip Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Prunedale, California

The tri-tip is excellent. It's got a nice bit of smoke on it and it's cut really thin so it melts in your mouth. Came topped with a healthy serving of barbecue sauce and some spicy Fritos. But the real reason to come here is the duck sausage. I've had a lot of duck sausage in my day, but nothing quite like this one. At first I thought, $12 for some duck sausage? But once I saw the size of it, I was pleasantly surprised. This thing is massive: by far the most bang for your buck. So if you're considering here or some truckstop in Salinas, definitely come to the Prunedale market it'll fill you up read more

I haven't been here in over 13 years and it's still one of the best sandwiches on yelp! The soup was amazing and the owner is still cracking jokes. I will definitely start coming by here anytime I'm passing through. Made my daughter's day by giving her some free candy too. read more

When you talk about hidden gems. Prunedale Market is definitely one of the needle in a haystack. A must try BBQ best in CA! read more

This place has been on my "someday pile" since 2017 when they made Yelp's "100 Best Places to Eat" but when we go to LA never seem to take this route. However this time we were only going to Pismo Beach so when I saw it was on route convinced the hubs with the temptation of BBQ (one of his favorite things). We ordered half-ribs & the tri tip sandwich were both excellent. He also gave us chicken, a link sausage, tips, and clam chowder all of which were also excellent, except the link sausage which was a bit too salty. The clam chowder alone is worth driving out of the way for as I've had some of the best clam chowder from here in my native San Francisco to Hyannis Port to NYC red to even the Japanese one with pickled plum and this is now in my top 10 clam chowders. There's something giving it warmth without heat (I suspect clove?) that's addicting. It's chock full of clams too! Like the owner Martin, this place is extremely casual and rustic ... but honestly that adds to its charm. There's a massive tiki outside and the whole place kind of reminds me of the roadside eateries you see in the Pacific like Hawaii or Guam. That said the service is much faster here. By the time he offered free ice cream (which we had to turn down due to my hubs pre-diabetes & my lactose intolerance already at the limit with the delicious clam chowder) we rolled out of there with enough leftovers for dinner and a midnight snack. This place is a great bang for buck! One note this place is CASH ONLY with no ATM so bring make sure you prepare ahead of time. read more

Best bbq food hands down. I came in yesterday with my boyfriend and grandma and got the tri tip sandwich and half a rack of ribs. It was outstanding and very flavorful. Also a very generous portion. The owner of the place made you feel right at home, gave us samples while we waited for are food. If your passing prunedale you have to stop here. read more

Pretty good sandwich. They don't have cheese - at all, for even their sandwiches. Nice place to grab a bite and sit outside. Good service.

A very pleasant surprise off the hidden path. There was a sign "Best BBQ on Yelp" that draws you in. The road to the market was scary, but the aroma of delicious BBQ push you to keep going. The market looks "OLD SCHOOL," but inviting. Gigantic smoker with piles of natural woods is a good sign. The chef, waiter, line cook, cashier was the total package. It's a one man show. He was nice. He invited us to try the chowder while we wait for our tri-tip sandwiches. Flavor was awesome. We ate our sandwiches outside. Nothings better then enjoying a gourmet meal alongside a highway with cars and trucks speeding by. I will sit and savor the smoky flavor. This will be a regular spot. Highly recommend if you're brave enough to venture in pursuit of culinary excellence. read more

Honestly, if you want ribs, this is your spot. You'll need a GPS to find it because it's at the end of a dead end in a very lovely neighborhood. Martin, the owner is so personable and generous is the second time he's brought us out and ice cream after serving us a half rack of ribs. The meat falls off of the bone. The sauce is just right and I'm not much of a sauce person and I am very mad. I didn't take a picture before hand. Trust me on this one folks, it will be worth your effort to find it. Cash only. We like to eat it there but lots of people get it for takeout. read more

The real deal! Chips and soda for sale and meat behind the counter. Let's start from the beginning. On our way to a town nearby and suddenly an image flashed before me: a roadway sign "Best Ribs" in a little town of Prunedale. Yes, it was about 30 minutes out of our way but after reading the reviews again, I convinced hubs to head to Prunedale Market. Our first time and before we even ordered, Martin, the owner gave us each a generous sample of clam chowder. Wow, seasonings on point with chunks of potato and clam bits a plenty. We ordered the famous tri-tip sandwich and 1/2 slab ribs from Martin, the owner. He was interested in what brought us there, where we from- so friendly and engaging. The dining area is small and unassuming. Had I known there was seating outside, probably would have eaten there on this cool breezy summer day. But really, the happiness that ensued came straight from the bbq- smoked, seasoned and cooked to perfection. Martin asked us a couple times how things were going with our meal. Now I ask you, do you know that feeling of food Nirvana? That feeling that all is good in your life because someone made you food, cared that it was good, and that you know you will remember how perfect that food was. That, Martin-was your gift today for hubs and I. This magic rarely happens but it did today in Prunedale. We would have gladly gone way over 30 miles out of our way. Highly recommend. EG Eats. read more

Prunedale Market - Tri-tip sandwich and ribs! - Barbeque Near Me - Prunedale, California

It's obvious that the owner loves two key elements: good food and happy customers. No frills.

Didn't feel like driving all the way to Carmel for bruno's so jumped on yelp to see if there were any good tri tip places on the way down to Monterey. Found this place and it had glowing reviews so I talked hubby into making a short detour to grab some sammiches. We thought our gps had lead us astray as we drove through residential streets, but sure enough at the end of the last street we came upon the market. Parked on the lot and walked in. Martin greeted us and took our order right after he helped the customer before us. While we were waiting for our food he gave us a complimentary cup of corn chowder. Our food was ready in a few minutes. He rang us up. The total was forty something but he just charged me $40 flat and threw in some gummy candy for my kids. What a super nice guy! We took our food and checked into our hotel and gobbled it up. Well we had a lot left over. Didn't realize 1/2 a slab of ribs was so big! We ordered: Two tri tip sandwiches: 4/5 meat was plentiful, bread was good, sauce was tasty, mayo, lettuce and tomatoes yum and the red Fritos gave it a nice crunch. It was served warm. 1/2 rack of ribs: 4/5 meat was tender and flavorful. He gave us a lot of meat! And it came with a round potato covered in bbq sauce. Wow so much meat! Bottom line: Martin is such a friendly guy! And he sure knows how to make a mean tri tip sandwich and ribs! Be sure to grab lots of napkins! read more

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This place! OMG! It's the best. If you are ever in the area it's a must! It's a little weird driving to it you do go through a neighborhood so please watch your speed and for pets as some people have chickens and other animals. But oh is it worth it. The Owner is just the nicest guy. He always treats you like he's known you your whole life and you are best friends. I can not say enough good things about him and the food. Not only does he have bbq but some kind of soup which never disappoints. If you want good food and great service check this place. *** Side note it's cash only and no ATM*** read more

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Delicious Tri tip and ribs, the owner is very friendly and gave us free corn chowder, 2 cups! The Tri tip sandwich is delicious, you can't go wrong here! A couple tables inside and outside. Definitely worth a visit! read more

Prunedale Market - Tri tip sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Prunedale, California

The owner was very sweet very friendly!! The food by itself was enough to come back here for, but the owners friendliness and willingness to talk and socialize made us made regulars out of us! 11/10 for hospitality!!! Sandwich was HUUUUGE. read more

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I wrote a review years ago but it was when Prunedale Market was more of a Coffee Bar. Present day disclosure = Martin is the King of BBQ (and I don't even eat meat)! My husband loves the BBQ! Me? The Corn Chowder, of course. The service is fun, friendly and exceptionally personable. If you're on 101 take the quick detour and prepare to have your tastebuds blown away. Martin, keep doing what you're doing! *Cash only* read more

Prunedale Market - The prime rib sandwich is enormous and fantastic (so I'm told)! - Barbeque Near Me - Prunedale, California

The Ginormous "BEST BBQ on YELP" sign couldn't be missed from the freeway driving back to SF. How could a Yelper not stop here?? Haha! Best BBQ?? We'll have to see about that! Made my husband take the turn off, wind around town until we got there! I love BBQ ribs. Seriously it's included on my last meal on earth list. So I knew what I was going to order. This is a small town market and deli, so don't come here for cute Instagramable ambiance. But what you will discover here is even better--meeting Martin! The owner and chef of this store has made a mark on the map for good reason! He is unforgettably friendly, outgoing and generous!! We ordered a half rack of BBQ ribs to go. He started conversation with us, and then gave us a complimentary cup of his clam chowder. Wait. What? No one happily gives out stuff for free. This was not a thimble, but a good size cupful. And it was really delicious, maybe even better than what we had in Morro Bay! BBQ RIBS - The To Go Box was overflowing with dry rub ribs, about 6 big ribs, with bbq sauce underneath. Couldn't even close the box! They were all he promised them to be...the BEST! Smoked perfectly, not dry, moist and succulent!! Flavor was on point!! This wasn't the end of Martin's generosity...as we were getting into the car, he came running out with two Haagendaz ice cream bars! Wait. What?? Why???? "Just for the road, enjoy!!" It felt like we were visiting one of our favorite uncle's who just wanted to thank us for dropping by! Five stars for the amazing ribs and Uncle Martin! read more

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Next LEVEL hospitality. Are we longtime friends or what?! Sampled the chowder with bread once we walked in. Then sampled the ribs... Then sampled the sausage... We were already full before we got our tri-tip sandwiches! We came home and had a few bites. The bread is nice and soft, the tri-tip is tender, and the Fritos are crunchy. read more

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Great lunch in crazy location. I've driven by it many times on 101 at freeway speeds and never stopped before. You really need to focus on getting off the freeway and then driving through residential area to almost be back on the highway. Nice there, it looks like a relic from a bygone time. Old storefront, handwritten menu signs, etc. You either want tri tip or you don't. Only other offering was slab of ribs. The aroma was intoxicating with heavy bbq scent permeating everything. Sandwich was incredible, too much to eat at one sitting for me! read more

Martin hit it out the park!!! No wonder he's been in business for 20 yrs. Not only does he provide great service with his awesome personality that makes you feel like you've been a long time costumer. You have to try the mouthwatering tri-tip sandwich! The chicken, ribs and sausage are flavorful and delicious. We will be back soon and try the corn chowder that was sold out. read more

Amazing Tri Tip Sandwich!! The flaming hot Fritos sprinkled on top of the sandwich were a perfect addition. The price was also very reasonable for the quality of food served. But what really impressed me about the owner was that when we tried paying for our lunch, to our surprise only cash was accepted. We only had $7 for a $24 tab and the owner kindly said lunch was on him. Obviously I couldn't just leave without paying the guy so I drove the closest ATM and got the cash to pay the tab. The owner was surprised when we returned but I was more surprised for the kindness he showed. The owner is a good guy and a great cook. Definitely worth a stop!! read more

We were driving down to LA and stopped here to eat. I had read an article in the SF Chronicle that said this was one of the hidden gems when it came to delicious BBQ. They were spot on, the owner was such a gracious host as my wife, 2 kids and I split a couple of tri-tip sandwiches. While we ordered he comped us with two small bowls of delicious meatball soup. The sandwiches were so good and when we were about to leave he insisted we try some ribs on the house. Wow, they were so good. Every time I go down to the Salinas area I will be sure to stop. 5 star food and one of the kindest owners grill masters you will ever meet. Don't miss this spot, it's a must stop spot. read more

Baby back ribs are falling off the bone and are absolutely delicious!!! Sandwiches are incredible with flaming hot Frito corn chips topping your lunch!!! read more

Everything has been really good. They make a turkey sandwich that is off the hook. I'm going again Friday.

Oh my God this place has both the nicest guy on the planet and the best BBQ on the planet! The BBQ is perfectly seasoned and has just the right amount of smokiness, so the great flavor of the meat comes through big-time. The Tri-Tip is thinly sliced just the way I like it, and Martin piles it high on the sandwich and coats it with Flamin' Hot Fritos for a great crunch. And, he gave me some delicious corn chowder and a rib to try while he was making the sandwiches! Thanks Martin...can't wait for my next visit! read more

Prunedale Market - Tri-Tip Sandwich...with Flamin' Hot Fritos. Delicious! - Barbeque Near Me - Prunedale, California

I'm not sure I would call it a market, but it was great BBQ at a good price. The owner, a former chef from Original Joe's in San Jose, was welcoming and super friendly to my dad and I. This place isn't fancy and has a very limited menu of ribs and tri-tip sandwiches, wish he would have had chicken on the menu. My 1/2 slab of ribs came with a sausage and potato which was super tasty - no BBQ sauce added, they leave that for you to do with bottles of Sweet Baby Rays on the table. My dad had the sandwich that was huge and basically like a veggie salad on top. They offered a sample of the Corn chowder which my dad raved about and then bought one to go. Will definitely visit again. read more

Amazing sandwiches 10-10 would come again Super friendly Would recommend the duck sausage read more

yummy BBQ meat, reminds me of childhood summertime meals. Smokey chili that I would say, besides my own, my next favorite. Fantastic recipes

THIS PLACE TAKES ONLY CASH. NO CREDIT CARDS. NO DEBIT CARDS. NO ATM. This place is not easy or convenient to get to, and when you finally get there, there are nice, big signs on the front door announcing that the only thing the guy accepts is cash. And there's no ATM so you can get cash. I walked in with another guy three feet behind me, checked to make sure the sign was right, and then both of us simply left. I have no idea if his sandwiches are any good. But this is another small, "my way or the highway" place where if customers don't like it, they can pound sand. Fair enough. I live in Prunedale, and there are all kinds of places that are a lot easier to patronize. read more

Best bbq and services in California! The portion is huge and the owner is so friendly and generous ~ They greeted us with a free sample of soup and made the extra large version for us after knowing we are on the road trip. Later when they see us eating on the bench outside, they gave us free ice cream and offered napkins! The food and service are truly amazing and the entire experience goes above and beyond WoW~ read more

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Martin is the absolute man! Could not have asked for better customer service. I see why everyone gives this place 5 stars and travels hours across state lines for this spot (check the map out in the back, people from all over the world stop here!). Did not let us tip him for generosity, gave us samples of his BBQ ribs, and sent us home with a free ice cream bar. Martin asked us about our hour-long car ride down, told us about his work in San Jose, and made us feel at home. Sandwiches are big! Cash only. Still in a food-coma 3 hours later. read more