By Chris Murphy
Something for Everyone at the Modesto GrubHubs
What do you do when you and your family or friends can’t make up their mind about where to go to lunch or dinner? Does this happen to you where you go around the group and ask what sounds good? Pizza? Mexican? Burgers? Waffles? Pretzels? What do you do?
Well friends, all you need to do is head downtown to the GrubHubs at 9th and G Streets. No matter what you are craving, you can find something that you will love, and so will everyone else in your group.
Greg and Kristen Reed owned this land and after a trucking company departed, they were wondering what to do there. They knew that the Courthouse would be across the street in a few years and when they were San Francisco and in Reno enjoying the container and food truck places, the idea hit them to bring it to Modesto. Three years ago, the GrubHubs was born.
Modesto has a good food truck culture and some pretty famous ones, but there wasn’t yet a central place to bring them all together. So Greg decided build a place, anchored by their own BBQ place and create a premium space that would be clean and safe and would attract people from all parts of town, commuters, workers, family, people grabbing a quick lunch and so much more. Despite fairly complicated planning and construction obstacles, the sign went up on the corner, and soon Greg had a waiting list and today, all of the spaces have commitments.
The very first one to sign up was Franci’s Papusas. She has been there since and is one of the favorites to this day.
Nice asphalt, great covered seating, clean restrooms and even a space for music during the summer months. Twisty’s now operates the space of the former BBQ place and offers beer and wine with a segregated beer garden space. Up to 18 different trucks are there offering just about everything. You can find amazing wood fired pizzas, super tasty Krepe Dogs, Mango Crazy, and even premium Italian entrees that rival a white tablecloth place at Braulio’s Bistro.
Personally, I am hooked on birria tacos. One of the most consistent places in town to get them regularly is the El Mexicano food truck. They make everything there, but I only order one thing. The consome is really delicious for dipping, the tacos are firm and pan fried but filled with very soft tender beef. It goes down really well with a fresh mango drink.
Kevin Reed’s favorite is the Margherita pizza. Pizza is great anytime and Harrison enjoyed the pepperoni pizza and of course, there are many great pizza choices. Abigail had the ceviche, Harrison a pizza, Middagh a burrito and a bottle of Coke, and Greg and Kristen had barria tacos. Something for everyone.
When it was time for desert, there was one thing that jumped up front and center, churros. There are pretzels, churros, blended fruit, aguas frescas, donuts and a variety of things that are desert friendly from the Churro Place with amazing caramel filled churros, or the Sweet Lab.
The one big challenge is that there are just too many choices to make for one visit, so you will need to plan a return. Since we did this story, I have already been back once for more tacos and will be there again next week. Make sure you take a break and check out Modesto’s GrubHubs.
The GrubHubs
Corner of 9th and G Streets
621 9th Street, Modesto 95354
209-577-2449
@modestogrubhubs
