ChefView – Twisted Pig
Get Twisted Pig!By Dana Johnson
The Twisted Pig isn’t the latest dance craze, it isn’t a new barnyard reality show, and you don’t have to wear pigtails to get through the door unless you want to! Here in Modesto we have numerous unique and mouth-worthy restaurants that thankfully are not major chains. My spoiled palate is addicted to the flavors and aromas that come from the kitchen where there is a chef as excited about preparing my meal as I am to devour it! Chef Ryan Breshears of Twisted Pig Bar & Grill aspires to his menu precisely in this same manner, like bacon to a frying pan!
Chef Ryan is a Modesto native, married to Jennifer, with 2 sons Gabriel (13) and Aiden (8). As a family they enjoy going to Dry Creek Park to play Frisbee golf, bowling on Mc Henry, and fishing whenever possible. Jennifer is a waitress at a favorite Modesto breakfast spot, Old Mill Café. As I followed Chef into the kitchen, I heard some great old school music. He said it puts him in the groove! When I asked him if a picky customer (like me) had special menu request like pulled pork instead of turkey, how flexible would he be? He simply said, “I need to make people happy.” Outstanding, as I never react well when someone tells me “NO!”. I seem to turn into a 2 year old!
Twisted Pig opened its doors in Jan. ’15.
Owners Amber and Randy Rocha also are part owners in the Tap Room Pub & Grub restaurant that boasts its own success on Sylvan Ave in Modesto. Most of the times when I start to write my Chef View article it’s primarily about the amazing food. Twisted Pig has more than tasty food; a fantastic chef, warm & friendly owners, an accommodating general manager Cody, a smiling mixologist Brian behind the bar, it has Mo View’s own Michael Mangano, too. MJ is a part-time employee, logo designer, and Facebook manager, and he fits perfectly in this ensemble that is a collaborative culinary accomplishment with a Dana-licious outcome! Thanks MJ for the professional photos and your ever-awesome company!
Rooster Bullets, Swine & Cheese, and Drunken Mussels and Duck Bacon, too! No wonder some Pig is known as Twisted after delving into this one of a kind downright lip-smacking menu! Bacon & jalapeno deviled eggs, grilled bacon & cheese sandwich, sautéed mussels in a white wine, garlic butter sauce with tomatoes, green onions served with garlic bread, a #1 seller! If you are like me and having a hard time deciding what to try first, let your server surprise you! Rooster Bullets followed by tater tot nachos loaded with cheese, house made Portuguese beans, cheese, onions, tomatoes, and sour cream! Next plate was the perfect balance for me, the carnivore: pulled pork and tri-tip platter! Meat, meat and mashed potatoes, and finally FRESH seasonal (not frozen or canned) yellow & green zucchini! All served with Chef Ryan’s remarkable bbq sauce from scratch. Found my tongue all twisted trying to taste every flavor and then my eyes rolled to the back of my head as I spooned into the cheesecake with its maple bourbon drizzle and candied bacon topping!
So now you know what is on 20% of the menu, so go in sample the rest! Visit them on FB “Twisted Pig Bar & Grill”, order online for pickup, or cater a party up to 350 guests. The bar menu is full of inviting, and refreshing spirited cocktails not on any other menu, anywhere!
Modesto View’s signature question: Beatles or Stones? Chef Ryan instantly responded “Stones!” as his parents raised him right by taking him to a Rolling Stones concert when he was a kid.
Twisted Pig Bar and Grill
2717 Coffee Road
Modesto, CA 95355
209-248-7243
Hours: Open Daily at 11am
Sun.-Wed. closes @10pm
Thurs.-Sat. closes @2am (Kitchen closes @11pm)
Twisted Hour: M-F 3pm-6pm
Twisted Pig – Twisted Slaw
1/4 cup apple cider vin
1 cup mayo
1/3 cup poppy seeds
1/4 cup honey
1 green apple chopped
1 head cabbage julian
2 carrots peeled and shredded
1 teaspoon cajun spice
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
