Tarpy's Roadhouse — Restaurant in Del Rey Oaks

Nice but...

The waiter was fine, he refilled my water glass before it was empty. The ribeye steak was cooked perfectly to my order, however a little advise... Have them put the red pepper chimichurri on the side, it is way over powering and completely removes the taste of the beef itself. I scraped off as much as I could and if I were to order it again, i'd have them leave it off completely, I really don't feel it adds anything to the steak.

The potatoes were way too soft when they looked as if they should have been crispy on the edges and the green beans weren't even aldente, my dining partner said they were downright raw.

The spicy tuna tacos were very interesting. It's like going to a Japanese restaurant and ordering a spicy tuna hand roll only instead of the seaweed rap they have a crunchy deep fried flour tortilla. Other than the ribeye steak, the tuna tacos were the best thing we had that night.

My dining partner had the Napa cabbage, it comes with the chili chicken breasts and he was still feeling the warmth in his mouth on the drive home.

The paper on top of the table cloth looks cheap and though it probably saves them money on laundering the table cloths it really doesn't add to what would be a nice ambiance with the rest of the decor of the restaurant.

We also found it a bit disconcerting that they dump the bread in the middle of the table with no plate underneath it. I'm pretty sure that the brown paper they lay on top of the white table clothes is not exactly sterile or even clean for that matter as it's created in some factory and not likely made to put food on. They really shouldn't do that at a restaurant that charges $38.00 for a steak but then again so is laying brown paper on the tables with a glass of crayons.

The last thing that I'll mention is that the mens restroom toilet was stopped up and there was toilet water on the floor from the toilet overflowing. You know, this is kind of typical in Monterey, CA area restaurants, the bathrooms are usually absolutely disgusting. I try to avoid using the bathrooms in the restaurants in this area because if I absolutely have to use one and it's disgustingly dirty, it pretty much puts me off on the restaurant altogether, and I usually won't return. I'm used to bathrooms that are well maintained and tidy. They don't need an attendant but they do need to have somebody check on them from time to time during business hours to make sure they are clean, have soap and papers etc.

So, in a nutshell: Overpriced (but what isn't in the Monterey area)

Pretentious menu

Poor hygiene

Great tasting beef and fabulous spicy tuna tacos

Pleasant atmosphere (other than the paper table cloth and crayons)

Extremely loud throughout the restaurant, you had to elevate your voice to be heard.

Ample parking, but on a busy night like tonight it was completely packed, but since almost all other shops in the center are closed when we went, there is ample parking in the rest of the shopping center.

Pleasant wait staff but not well educated in being a wait staff (our waiter didn't even mention the specials of the night).

Will we go back again? Maybe. I like the idea of their Kobe burger with Brie and what not but at $24.50 for a burger, I'm...

We recently had a family dinner at Tarpy’s Roadhouse, and I can confidently say it was one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in a long time. From the warm, rustic ambiance to the phenomenal food and excellent service, everything about the evening was memorable.

Tarpy’s has this welcoming, lodge-like feel that sets the tone as soon as you walk in. The stone walls, dim lighting, and cozy interior make it feel like a hidden gem tucked away in Monterey. It’s upscale without being stuffy—perfect for both date nights and relaxed family dinners like ours.

We were seated promptly despite it being a busy evening, and our server greeted us with a big smile and genuine enthusiasm. She made us feel right at home from the start, and her knowledge of the menu made ordering a breeze.

Now, let’s talk about the food—because wow. I ordered the steak and shrimp, and it was absolutely divine. The steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare—tender, juicy, and full of flavor with just the right sear on the outside. The shrimp were plump, buttery, and seasoned just right, adding a delightful surf-and-turf balance to the plate. The sides complemented the dish beautifully, and the presentation alone had me excited before I even took a bite.

My son went with the Kobe burger, and I have to admit, I was a little jealous when it arrived. You could tell just by looking at it that it was going to be good—but once he took a bite, his reaction said it all. The burger was thick, juicy, and packed with flavor. The bun was soft but sturdy enough to hold it all together, and the toppings were fresh and thoughtfully chosen. I managed to steal a bite, and I totally understand why he barely looked up from his plate the entire time.

We also took full advantage of the drink menu, which was impressive. I went with their take on an Old Fashioned, and it was perfect—strong, smooth, and not overly sweet. My partner ordered a floral gin cocktail that was light and refreshing, and even the non-alcoholic drinks for the kids were crafted with care. It’s rare to find a place where the bar service is just as good as the food, but Tarpy’s delivered on both fronts.

The real cherry on top, though, was the service. Our server was attentive without being overbearing, gave great recommendations, and kept everything running smoothly. She made us feel like we were her only table even though the restaurant was busy. The rest of the staff—from the host to the busser—was equally professional and friendly, which speaks volumes about the culture at Tarpy’s.

We finished off the night with a shared dessert—their famous bread pudding with whiskey caramel sauce. It was rich, warm, and comforting, the perfect way to end an already fantastic meal.

If you’re anywhere near Monterey and looking for a place to enjoy high-quality food in a beautiful setting, Tarpy’s Roadhouse should be at the top of your list. The steak and shrimp was flawless, the Kobe burger was a hit with our son, the drinks were spot-on, and the service tied it all together. We’ll...

Beautiful grounds, parking area tight but very unique and accommodating. The food was very good and cooked just like you want it. When we arrived before our reservations we were taken to another dining area upstairs that away from the main dining area that had no personality and plain we did Not feel like we were at this very nice restaurant upstairs. Unfortunately our service was less to desired, The waitress seemed very dry and short, we ordered some water got some bread and butter which was very good. I quickly finished my water but the waitress did not check back with us again, she would walk by a few times without taking notice and didn’t look our way for me to get her attention for some more water, I finally asked one of the bus boys for some water which he said no problem I’ll get you some he brought more bread but never brought my water. Wasn’t until we ordered our food when I was able to ask her waitress for more water, we made a couple substitutions on our plates and when we receive the food it looked very very good but it did not have the substitutions so I asked for a side of garlic mashed potatoes and prawns, it took a very long time to receive the substitutions.

The waitress seemed to shift the blame to the cooks downstairs but I think if you as waitress noticed there’s something missing in the plate that would be the first time to catch something that’s not there. It’s fine when a restaurant forget something but it doesn’t feel good when you shift blame somewhere else. We notice a tall waitress waiting on other tables and had of very pleasant demeanor very attentive I can say we are a little envious of that service. For such a nice restaurant I feel we were cheated great service and settled for a mediocre service at a very nice restaurant.

With such beautiful grounds and ambience this place should always be a five-star restaurant and I’m sure too many it is with great service but the waitress we had really...