Duffy's Tavern & Family Restaurant

Duffy’s Tavern & Family Restaurant sits just off the main drags in Monterey, tucked away near the Presidio. The place works as both a neighborhood bar and a family spot. Inside, the bar runs along one side, lined with regulars and anyone stopping in to catch a game on the mounted TVs. Tables fill the rest of the room, set up for families, small groups, and anyone rolling in for dinner. The walls are packed with military memorabilia – badges, photos, plaques – mixed in with old sports gear and team banners. The connection to the base is clear, from the décor to the steady flow of regulars. The menu stays close to classic bar fare. Burgers are the mainstay, with a steak night every week – ribeye’s the usual draw. There’s always a stew on, a couple of pastas, and a lineup of sandwiches that rotate from time to time. Sweet potato fries land on most plates, and the cheesecake gets called out on its own. Kids have their own menu and usually get a set of crayons and paper to keep them busy at the table. Beer and wine cover the drinks – no liquor behind the bar, but pitchers show up on Sundays for the regulars. House-made beer pours alongside the usual taps. Sports play on the TVs most days, and people drift between the bar and tables depending on what’s on. The setup is straightforward: bar on one side, tables on the other, and plenty of space for regulars to settle in or for visitors to duck in after a day around town. Military tributes aren’t just for show – they tie the place to the neighborhood and the folks who pass through. Most days, it’s a steady rhythm of burgers, beer, and whatever game’s on.