Redding Market Celebrates 50 Years with Iconic Tri-Tip Sandwich

Kent's Meats and Groceries has been serving up Friday barbecue for over three decades.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:18pm

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A highly stylized, silkscreen-inspired illustration featuring a tri-tip sandwich repeated in a grid pattern, using bold, vibrant colors and heavy black outlines to capture the celebratory spirit of a local market's long-standing community tradition.A community staple for 50 years, Kent's Meats' iconic tri-tip sandwich has become a beloved Friday tradition in Redding.Redding Today

Kent's Meats and Groceries, a local market in Redding, California, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. For over 30 years, the market has been hosting a popular Friday barbecue, featuring their signature tri-tip sandwich as the star of the menu.

Why it matters

As small, independent grocers struggle to compete with big-box stores, Kent's Meats has managed to thrive by staying true to its community-focused roots and offering unique, local fare that has become a beloved tradition in Redding.

The details

Every Friday, Kent's Meats fires up the grill and serves up their famous tri-tip sandwiches, along with other barbecue favorites like ribs and chicken. The market has been hosting these weekly barbecues for over 30 years, drawing in loyal customers from the surrounding neighborhoods.

  • Kent's Meats and Groceries opened in 1976.
  • The market has been hosting its Friday barbecue for over 30 years.

The players

Kent's Meats and Groceries

A local market in Redding, California that has been in business for 50 years, known for its Friday barbecue and signature tri-tip sandwich.

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What they’re saying

“We just used small barbecues.”

— Kent's Meats Employee

The takeaway

Kent's Meats and Groceries' enduring success is a testament to the power of community-driven, locally-sourced businesses that cater to the unique tastes and traditions of their neighborhoods. Their iconic tri-tip sandwich has become a beloved Friday ritual, keeping loyal customers coming back for decades.