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    The Tri-Tipery

    4.0 (206 reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 8:00 pm

    The Tri-Tipery Photos

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    THE TRI-TIPERY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Tri-Tipery

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    Reviews With Photos - The Tri-Tipery

    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...

    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!

    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.

    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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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Good but nothing outstanding. Small sandwich for $13. People were friendly and looks like they were remodeling.

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    6 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Good relaxing environment. In the middle of no where's but worth the visit. Just off Santa Fe Ave. a good place to stop and eat.

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    7 years ago

    Awesome, low frills good food. Great pork belly sandwich, with a fresh plum to boot. Outdoor picnic bench ambiance. Just right for me.

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    9 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Wow!!! This place is great for lunches and even better for dinner. The service is quick usually and the food is worth the wait.

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    10 years ago

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    8 years ago

    This place is soooo good! Big portions. Also an area to play cot hole while you wait.

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    9 years ago

    My new favorite BBQ spot, if the BBQ doesn't get you, how could you not dig the vibe! What a cool unexpected location!

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    8 years ago

    Love the food! Great outdoor restaurant! My kids and husband love it! The employees are great and the service is fast.

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    8 years ago

    Hands down best food I've ever ate! I would highly recommend to family and friends. Great environment and amazing customer service!

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    8 years ago

    We love tri-tipery it's a little out of the way but definitely worth it. I've recommended everyone we know to come try it out!!

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    Page 4 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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    The Kitchen at the Mission - Tomato bisque, garden salad, and garlic bread.

    The Kitchen at the Mission

    4.2(451 reviews)
    29.8 mi
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    After a long drive from SoCal, we decided to make this place our dinner pit stop. Love that they…read morehave a kids menu, which makes it easier to dine with two little ones. My son also specifically requested Alfredo so it's great that they have that on the kids menu! If you're tired of fast food, I highly recommend making this place your lunch or dinner stop. Food comes out fast and service is great. Highlight of our night was when staff handed my kids a small cup of koi food so we could feed the fish before making our way home. The kids really enjoyed that. We will be making this our pit stop coming home from SoCal every time from now on.

    We come to Mission de Oro Hotel every year when we're in Santa Nella visiting my mom and dad's…read moregravesite at the National Veterans Cemetery. This visit happened to fall on Mother's Day weekend. We had reservations for both Saturday and Sunday, but we stopped in on Saturday to cancel that day's reservation since we'd already eaten lunch and knew we wouldn't be hungry by dinnertime. On Sunday, when we checked in for our reservation, I was impressed -- the hostess remembered us by name, which says a lot considering how many guests come through the restaurant. We were seated, and soon after we were greeted by Eleanor, our server. She was warm, attentive, and never made us feel pressured, which was a huge improvement from a previous visit. She answered every question I had, including how they cook a medium‑rare steak (every chef has their own interpretation, lol). She also gave an honest answer when I asked whether the vegetables used at dinner come from their greenhouse. The service felt genuine, and the food was excellent -- a much better experience than my last review. This visit was absolutely worth the return. Kudos to Eleanor and the Kitchen at The Mission.

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    The Kitchen at the Mission - Indoor seating

    Indoor seating

    The Kitchen at the Mission - Sides for the tomahawk

    Sides for the tomahawk

    The Kitchen at the Mission - Kitchen Area

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    Kitchen Area

    The Papaya Lady - Yummy!! Nam Khao!

    The Papaya Lady

    4.8(164 reviews)
    16.5 mi
    $

    When my sister went to school in Merced, we always made sure to stop by Papaya Lady whenever we're…read morein town. Since she has graduated, I won't be in town anytime soon, but I highly recommend them for some good Thai and Laotian bites if you're ever in Merced! They have a selection of delicious dishes and I have loved everything that I've tried. My go-to orders are the Papaya Salad and Khao Poon. The papaya salad is a must and the spice level was the perfect amount. The Khao Poon is a coconut curry based noodle soup that is so flavorful. I've also come to really enjoy the Nam Khao (Laotian crispy rice salad), each bite is crunchy and absolutely delish. Your Asian comfort food cravings will definitely be satisfied here. Wishing The Papaya Lady continued success!

    I had the Papaya Lady bookmarked for a long time when I finally had the opportunity to try them on…read moremy way home from Merced. Located off on the corner of 16th Street and G (same plaza as Little Caesars), the Papaya Lady is actually tucked away inside a carniceria. The aisles of the market nearly block the counter to this little kitchen. It's the neon sign of "The Papaya Lady" buzzing that guides you to the back. We came in the late afternoon on a Saturday and they were already out of the fried chicken and sticky rice (next time!). We ended up ordering: Papaya Salad (extra spicy) - The little peppers in this gave the dish a nice kick. Super refreshing on a hot day. Nam Khao (crispy rice lettuce wrap with pork skin) - I highly enjoyed this one with all the crunchy textures and flavors. Will 100% get again. Khao Poon (noodle soup) - This broth had a subtle peanut flavor which was delicious. Wished it had more toppings. Nam Vanh (tapioca drink) - My drink seemed to lack the other jellies that I saw in other pictures and only had the lil tapioca balls, sweetener and coconut milk. It felt like it was missing something for sure. The owner is so nice and friendly. I don't know if it's a psychological thing, but every time he acknowledged or spoke to me, he used my name. It just felt automatically more warm and welcoming lol The price per portion is also legit. You get so much for what you pay. Our order kept me and the SO fed for almost 3 days. So nice to have some good Asian food in the Central Valley. Will definitely be back!

    Photos
    The Papaya Lady - Still the best Nam Wan around!

    Still the best Nam Wan around!

    The Papaya Lady
    The Papaya Lady - Mmmm...Spicy Papaya Salad!

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    Mmmm...Spicy Papaya Salad!

    Mountain Oaks Cafe

    Mountain Oaks Cafe

    4.7(450 reviews)
    58.4 mi
    $$

    What an amazing find while we are staying in Mariposa. We went to the Giant Sequoia's and on our…read moreway we stopped at this "pre" planned Yelp spot. Parking is pretty easy. They have overflow towards the left when you drive up the incline. You wait to be seated. We were offered an inside table but requested a patio table instead. They accommodated us but it took an additional 10-15 minutes. It was WORTH the wait. The patio is nicely shaded and offers a better experience than say..... Denny's. I ordered their "fantastic" chicken fried steak, 2 eggs over easy, 2 pancakes, and country potatoes. Everything was great! Our server was an awesom dude. You will know it's him when he addresses you as "Amigo." Love you man! Coffee was good and strong and they offered shelf stable 1/2 & 1/2. They have Tobasco, Cholulu, and I believe he said Tapatio. I went with the Cholulu and it was an awesome addition to the CFS. We loved this place. It fueled us up for the grueling hike we did. 5* !!!!! So glad I scoped this place out on Yelp before our trip.

    Decided to visit Mountain Oaks Cafe for a steak dinner while in Oakhurst. I've been to this…read morelocation several times before when in the Oakhurst/Yosemite area. It was quite busy but was able to be seated immediately. Clean inside and plenty of dining tables with cool wall decors. For this visit, ordered the following: ***Buffalo wings for appetizers 4/5 ***12 ounce ribeye medium rare with baked potato and veges $32. Also served with garlic bread 4/5 ***For dessert, got a red velvet cheesecake 5/5 Got a lemonade for a drink. All the items were delicous! The ribeye cooked medium rare as requested was super tender. A1 Steakhouse was available at the table. The red velvet cheesecake was really yummy too! Sooo good! Staff are courteous and very accommodating. Will be back again when in the area.

    Photos
    Mountain Oaks Cafe
    Mountain Oaks Cafe
    Mountain Oaks Cafe - Mimosa ?

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    Mimosa ?

    Saladworks - Sophie's Salad: Dried cranberries, candied pecans, walnuts, and apples atop field greens. Subbed feta for blue cheese.

    Saladworks

    2.8(68 reviews)
    56.7 mi

    Insanely expensive for some discolored iceberg lettuce for a salad and mushy corn. The wait time we…read morewere given was 25 minutes for a half sandwich half salad dish. The sandwich was supposed to be warm and when we went in there approx 10 minutes before the recommended 25 the order was already ready, waiting and cold. If we'd waited another 10 the bread for the sandwich probably would have been soggy. But good for them time wise getting it done.... If you want something cold/room temp. The sandwich was sad. Maybe a spoonful of chopped chicken on it. Maybe would have fed a toddler but not an adult ordering it. The good thing I can say was the chipotle sauce was good. We definitely were bummed we waisted our money knowing we could have made it better and fresher for cheaper.

    As someone who hates leaving bad reviews, this feels entirely necessary. Two BLT and avocado…read moresandwiches. "Spread" with unnaturally mint green substance on center of bread slices, bacon had to be cooked further at home. One sandwich was cut in half, other was not. One had one single slice of tomato, the other had diced tomatoes. Got a plate for my baby with "crispy" chicken that was not crispy and cold. Just super super disappointed and wish for either the employees to actually out in some effort or for people to just not waste their time.

    Photos
    Saladworks - $10.49 for a small salad and $10.29 for a cold hoagie. Wow. Pretty pricey!

    $10.49 for a small salad and $10.29 for a cold hoagie. Wow. Pretty pricey!

    Saladworks - The container isn't even full. Literally below the presumed fill line. More toppings than greens. Small portion.

    The container isn't even full. Literally below the presumed fill line. More toppings than greens. Small portion.

    Saladworks - Mixed Avocado Cobb salad

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    Mixed Avocado Cobb salad

    The Tri-Tipery - sandwiches - Updated July 2026

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