Restaurants in Reedley

Since 1999, when Pete A. Cisneros Sr. opened Pappy's Coffee Shop, the rustic, homestyle eatery has attracted locals with generous portions of classic American diner food. From 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day, chefs sizzle eggs alongside chicken-fried steak, jumbo cuts of ham, or fried bologna, and pile plates with seven-grain pancakes and waffles. Their 8-ounce burgers can arrive with Freedom fries or fried okra, and charming, 1-quart mason jars of cold soft drinks. The walls boast American and oil-rig-inspired memorabilia, creating an ambiance more down-home and eclectic than the vintage furniture-juggling contest at the state fair.

Sweet basil, chili sauces, and ginger cast their scents throughout the dining room at Thai Palms, providing an olfactory glimpse of the intricately spiced menu. The curries range from mild yellow broth to spicy green varieties. Bamboo-skewered morsels of chicken, beef, and prawns line the grill tops, and rolls of fried rice paper surround cores of herb-accessorized proteins.

For Ali Saleh, the chef who owns Taqueria 2 Palmas, a great meal isn't just about sustenance. It's a performance meant to entertain and intrigue. That's why restaurants and live music make such as dynamic duo. When Ali bought his first storefront on East Tulare Street, he immediately built a stage so the restaurant could also host concerts. These days, his 24-hour eatery teems with mariachi bands that serenade guests with romantic ballads and vibrant pasodobles. The sultry sizzles of hot plates chime in as servers deliver chicken fajitas and Tampiquena-style steaks to nearby tables. In contrast, shrimp cocktails and fresh oysters are as cool as an igloo full of Elvis impersonators. To fuel morning exploits such as newspaper crosswords and WiFi surfing, the restaurant also serves huevos rancheros and other hearty Mexican breakfasts.

Experts in all things wine, The Grape Tray's staff can help patrons choose their ideal wine while sampling vintages from vineyards such as Silver Oak, Chateau Lynch-Bages, and Sleepy Hollow. A roster of dessert and sparkling wines rounds out the corked collection, which includes selections from popular spots like France and Spain as well as lesser-known wine-producers, including New Zealand and Austria. The Grape Tray’s staffers also craft tasty sandwiches from its deli counter, piling corned beef, vegetable medleys, and crab and chicken salad between slices of bread from nearby bakeries.

Though pizza and beer are a time-honored combination, BC's Pizza & Beer puts a new spin on the tradition with innovative pizzas and an abundance of uncommon beers. As its chefs load crusts with inspired arrangements of more than 40 fresh toppings—such as jamaican jerk spices with chicken and shrimp or mexican refried beans with ground beef and jalapeños—bartenders dole out pints of German and Belgian beers. At their fingertips are 33 tap handles and more than 80 import and craft bottles.

Out in the dining room, beer signs and playful knickknacks hang on the walls. Flat-screen televisions broadcast sports games in which football players zoom down fields and Lifetime movies in which football players learn valuable lessons about the wisdom of children.

At Tommy’s, candlelight casts dark wood wainscoting, burnt-orange walls, and stone floors in a warm glow. The elegant eatery—which has been hailed by Frommer’s as “the most creative restaurant in Visalia"—complements its environs with equally haute cuisine. Chefs serve succulent steaks on cedar planks and drizzle them with southwestern flourishes such as tequila-roasted green chilis, poblano cream sauce, and a single cactus tear. Additionally, Tommy’s stocks its wine cellar with an ample wine selection.