Three Merced spots where $25 goes a long way. Here’s what to know
The Merced Sun-Star’s On A Budget series tested three downtown Merced businesses to see how far $25 stretches at each. The results ranged from a full Italian deli meal to an evening of retro gaming to a haul of discounted snacks and household goods.
Here are key takeaways:
• At The Goods Italian Market and Deli, a Vespa sandwich, bag of imported pesto chips and an Italian soda came to $26.20 after tax. The market, which opened in October in a roughly 750-square-foot space next to Bella Luna restaurant at 348 W. Main St., stocks pantry items starting at $1.99 and sandwiches starting at $12.
• Joystiq arcade bar, owned by Andy Beltran, has dozens of vintage and modern games — most costing $1 or less to play. Loaded fries and a Diet Coke came to $17.32 before tip, leaving $5 for nearly an hour of gaming.
• Joystiq also offers free activities with any purchase, including shuffleboard, darts, cornhole and a collection of board games like Settlers of Catan and Jenga. Daily food and drink specials include $10 pizzas on Wednesdays and $4 beers on Tuesdays.
• Twins Food Outlet, opened in July 2025 by owner Antonio Balderas, sells individual snack bags as cheap as eight for $1 and LaCroix cans at five for $1. A mixed haul of cleaning supplies, tea, granola, snacks and 10 cans of LaCroix totaled $25.23 after tax.
• Twins Food Outlet carries imported and hard-to-find snacks, including flavors of Takis and Cheetos not normally available in the U.S., though it does not stock fresh fruits, vegetables or a full deli selection.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
