Recession Special: Locals Lunch, $8.95 at Tarpy’s Roadhouse, Monterey

[Melanie Wong]

On one of those unseasonably sunny and warm days last November, Mom and I headed to Tarpy’s Roadhouse to try the local lunch special. “jaweino” had turned us on to these. Sunday through Friday, Tarpy’s offers a meal deal of the day at lunch or dinner. They’re listed on the website as Recession meal deals, http://www.tarpys.com/995.html , but you have to ask your server for it, as it’s not listed on the printed menus.

We had a great table with lots of natural light in the room with the shell fireplace. http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniewong/3064657529

Mom ordered Wednesday’s meal deal: half rack of baby back ribs, fries, and corn on the cob for $8.95. This was the small end of the rack, but more than enough for lunch and some to take home. The crispy, golden fries were an unexpected bonus. Not the best ‘cue I’ve ever had, but competent with good smoke tones, if too much sauce slathered on. The remoulade-like sauce for the fries was quite delectable. I’d order this again, truly a deal at this price.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniewong/3064649729

I had the Crispy calamari appetizer, $8.90. Served with a Thai-style lime dipping sauce, the bed of lettuce underneath made this a light salad lunch for me. The squid were slightly overcooked, but not bad.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniew...

Our busser was great, refilling our bread basket, and boxing up Mom’s leftovers to take home. He also pointed out that we could exit through the patio and save her a few steps. We left a larger than usual percent gratuity for the good service and because our lunch expenditure was less than the typical tab here.

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Tarpy's Roadhouse
2999 Salinas Hwy, Monterey, CA 93940

[Melanie Wong]

The link for the recession special is dead on the website. So I called and found out that it continues. Lunch is $10.95 and dinner is $13.95. Sunday's special is meatloaf and remember, you have to ask for it. If anyone tries it let us know.

[Melanie Wong]

Mom and I went back to Tarpy's last week for the recession special. Once again, baby back ribs on Wednesday. The battered steak fries were an improvement from the earlier skinny fries. The ribs were overcooked and covered with too much sauce this time. I'll have to remember to ask for it on the side. But I can't really complain at $8.95 and service was great, as usual. The dinner special has gone up to $11.95, according to the website. Again, you have to ask for the special, it's not on the menu.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniew...

[Gail]

Melanie, thanks for the heads-up on Tarpy's Recession Menu. We love that place and will be there in a few weeks. We always hope for good weather so we can enjoy their patio as well as their food.

[Melanie Wong]

Yes, the patio's great. It was completely full the day we were there with customers catching some of the year's last rays.

The locals deal is $10.95 at dinner time.

[chow_eb]

We really like Tarpy's. We haven't been for a while. Thanks for reminding us. It's not just the fries that are good, they do great potatoes several ways. Great menu.

I'll bet your mother remembers when it was Cadematori's.

[granfran75]

Glad to hear of the recession meals; and this mother remembers when it was Cademartori's for sure! A lovely spot on the way from Carmel/Monterey to Salinas and the 101.

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Tarpy's Roadhouse
2999 Salinas Hwy, Monterey, CA 93940

[PolarBear]

I remember Cadematori's in San Juan Batista, either forgot or never knew they were there on 68 in the old days.
http://www.casamaria.oldmissionsjb.org/

Here's a little interesting history.
http://www.tarpys.com/history.html