By Chris Murphy and the ViewCrewThere seems to be a new shiny glow around town right now. More people are out and about, new businesses are opening, the live music is flowing. We had some exciting new openings in 2023 and more are expected in 2024. This next year should be a great year for our local businesses, things to do and community spirit. D’Forno is featured in this month’s ModestoView, the Intermission has changed J Street with retro elegance, and Phase 2 of the Graffiti USA Museum has started to connect our past to our future. Here are just a few of the bright spots.
Modesto Children’s Museum
11th Street will never be the same. What was once home to great rock n roll events is now the home of Modesto’s children with a new brightness of kids on the street, exploring new experiments and developing young minds and creating brand new connections to our community. When kids love the town they grow up in, they want to live here later. Children + community = success
Lucille
Beauty has come to H Street. Look for flowers to grow in the place you least expect it. Lucille has changed so much on H. Early morning coffee, street side patio, tasty treats, amazing wine and a good place to gather. Marrisa and Wyatt have created something special for this generation and the next. We all need some goodness in our lives.
Good Day Lucille 1218 H Street. 209-404-4705
Fast Eddie’s
Your burger just got better with owner Robert Wilson who has kept the classic, added amazing burgers like the Napoleon Dynamite and added a whole room of pinball machines. The shakes are amazing and the old original 52 Fast Eddie is the gold standard burger. The kids’ meals come with a Hot Wheel! The place is loaded with great memorabilia and now serves beer and wine. Don’t miss the pinball tournaments. 1228 Tully Rd, Modesto 209-522-9069 fasteddiesmoab.com
The Taco Shop
Roman Wagner knows how to lauch a good restaurant. Following the closure of Smokey’s, “the Wags” took the chance to open a new Taco Shop, a much needed Mexican restaurant in the Bangs Rd center. They feature big tacos, monster breakfast and lunch burritos and all of the sides. Very cool that they have a day menu and hours from 8- 4 daily. @tacoshopmodesto 501 Bangs Ave. Ste E Modesto 209.554.6999
Off the shore
Just when you thought you didn’t need another dive bar place to try out, the Reef Bar & Cantina has opened on Mitchell Rd, former site of Run Around Sue’s. Owner Les Knoll has upped the tropical bamboo theme for a great place to stop off on the way to, well anywhere. Lot’s of tasty drink specials, food truck on site and great parking. What’s not to like? @Thereefbarcantina
The Goat Bar and Grill
10th and J is still the center of downtown Modesto and the Goat is in new hands with Les Knoll and Jill and Ryan Irons. The corner location features new game room and even has a snooker table. The bar style menu is great with gourmet burgers, steak salads, pizzas, big tacos and even fry bread tostadas! The Goat bar is always a place to be and you can even get one of the Goat sweets, like funnel cake fries. Best of all, they plan on keeping live music as a focal point to the Goat. Located in 10th St Plaza, the Goat is front and center to the good things happening in downtown. Get a good patio seat for the events and get ready for a great Music in the Plaza season later this year.
Standard Pub
East-side Modesto has a new pub. One of Modesto’s favorite locations is back and better than ever. Full menu of traditional entrees and new takes on broasted chicken and special brisket burger, burrata appetizers and hall of fame fish and chips. They have great cocktails like the Hawaii 5.0, tasty Palomas and classic faves. They also have a weekend brunch to get your day off right. @thestandard_pub
950 Oakdale Rd, Modesto 209-622-0429
LoFi Luncheonette
14th and J is filled with new energy and excitement and, I have to confess, it’s so cool that we have a “Luncheonette” in downtown. Not only that, we have counter seating that is right out of our classic retro history. Open for breakfast and lunch most days, the menus offers great omelets like my favorite the California with a special spicy chile sauce and slow cooked grits. Emily’s scones are very tasty and there is a full-service espresso bar. There is also a good lunch menu that has something for everyone. @dinerbylofi
1325 J Street Wed- Fri: 9am – 2pm Sat/Sun open at 10am
Downtown Record Store
By Middagh Goodwin
Did you know that Modesto has its own locally-owned Record Store located in Downtown? First opened October, 21st, 2023, Broken Records Toys and Collectibles has been slowly growing a devoted following of music lovers. They buy sale and trade new and used vinyl, CD, cassettes, and collectibles. If you are a local musician they will even consign your release for sale. Check them out for that record you have been looking for or a fun gift. located at 1321 I Street in Downtown Modesto. Open at 11 am – 6:30 Mon-Tues Fri-Sat, and 11 am-4:30 pm on Sunday and closed Wednesday and Thursday. @brokenrecords209
Tandoori Flame
By Abigail Power
10th Street is continuing to come alive and Downtown Modesto is happy to welcome local Tandoori Flame with its delicious food and Indo-American flavors. With two regional locations in Patterson and Westley, the Dhanju family opened up the third Tandoori Flame at 907 10th Street in early September and its already been a huge success with a menu with over 70 items, including vegetarian and meat entrees, but the View Crew’s favorite is the signature Butter Chicken! Open Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM; 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM – stop by and support this incredible new business to keep downtown thriving in 2024. @mytandooriflame
Bakeshop
By Abigail Power
Pastries, fresh bread, cookies, croissants, and more – what more could you want?! Ashley Olson has been serving up her delicious bakes at Food Fix Butcher & Baker for years and now has a dedicated sweet treat storefront adjacent to the lunch hot spot. Bakeshop Modesto has an epic rotating menu of baked goods that highlight seasonal flavors and Ashley’s favorite recipes, and the View Crew had their minds blown by the Orange Cranberry cookies and fresh croissants. It’s so amazing to be able to get freshly baked bread and pastries right in our downtown and we can’t wait to see what the Food Fix & Bakeshop team has in store. Open Monday to Saturday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 940 11th Street. @bakeshopmodesto
Downtown Riverbank
Black Sheep Kitchen & Cocktails
Randy Rocha opened his second location in Riverbank across from his Daily Dose. This is a great addition to the Riverbank downtown with great specials, giant burgers, lamb chop lollypops, appetizers, special brunch on the weekend, and lots of good TVs to enjoy your sports while you try their craft cocktails. It’s a great experience.
3319 Santa Fe St, Riverbank 209-502-7219
@blacksheepkitchenandcocktails
Oakdale’s New Culinary Frontier, Bistro 120
By: Carly Russell
Bistro 120 is the new culinary hotspot, welcoming guests for lunch and dinner 7-days a week. The restaurant’s warm and friendly staff, creative cocktails, and a one-of-a-kind dessert elevate the perfectly executed California cuisine to extraordinary heights. Since its opening in the fall, the restaurant has quickly gained a loyal following with its broad appeal – perfect for families, special occasions, casual dinners, cocktails, lunch, or even hosting your next event (banquet services for up to 70 people will be available in the future). Some menu highlights include the mouthwatering Grilled Lamb Lollipop Appetizer, delightful starters like the New York Clam Chowder (available daily), approachable mains like the Cowboy Capital Burger, Prime Rib French Dip, and up-market options like the Snake River Farms Wagyu New York, and Cedar Planked Salmon. A fan favorite, Bistro 120’s House-Made Warm Butter Cake, topped with a heavenly vanilla mascarpone whip, fresh berries, caramel drizzle, and a side of velvety vanilla ice cream, has become a local sensation – a “must try” for any visitor. For those looking for a great way to sample a variety of small plates and inventive drinks, don’t miss out on the Happy Hour specials at the Bistro 120 bar, available Monday to Friday from 3 PM to 6 PM. Reservations recommended. 152 North Yosemite Ave, Oakdale, CA. @bistro_120/
Sun-Th 11 AM-9 PM, Fri-Sat – till 10 PM. Reservations: (209) 845-6080
These are just a few of the newly opened bright spots you will enjoy. What are some of your faves? Let us know at info@modestoview.com<mailto:info@modestoview.com>
