Biz Beat: My Chef restaurant moving to downtown Modesto

Long-running Modesto restaurant My Chef has moved downtown.

After 20 years of being at Oakdale Road and Wylie Drive, connected to a carwash, My Chef Restaurant & Catering owner Lincoln Capitao has branched out. He closed the old location in March and reopened at 1410 H St. earlier this month.

The homemade sandwich and burger spot has the same menu, with some additions, and updated décor with rich colors and crown molding.

"It was time for a change, something new," Capitao said. "Being in the downtown area was a big thing for us."

My Chef offers a selection of fresh-made burgers, including "The Hangover" breakfast burger with a fried egg, and hot or cold sandwiches, including the "The MMA" (marinated mushrooms and avocado) and tri-tip.

Soups and salads are available, with a chef's special each day.

The restaurant also caters and does special events.

The space, which has housed a number of restaurants over the years, including Bagel Junction and H Street Cafe, seats about 30 indoors and another 30 outside. Capitao has remodeled the interior with new paint, tables, chairs and kitchen equipment.

All six employees from his Oakdale Road location moved with him to his new spot.

The downtown move meant a shift in hours to suit a breakfast and lunch crowd. My Chef is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. Call (209) 571-2220 or visit www.mychef-modesto.com.

Elsewhere around the Business Beat:

The new Olive Garden restaurant at Monte Vista Crossings in Turlock will open in mid-September.

Company spokesmen said the national Italian chain plans to hire about 170 employees, for full- and part-time positions. No details were available on when hiring would begin. For more, visit www.olivegarden.com/careers.

And finally, Vintage Faire Mall is looking for nonprofit groups to apply for its fountain coin program.

The mall donates the money collected from the fountains to charities. Requests should include a detailed description of the organization, why the organization needs the donation, and how the money will be spent. Recipients are responsible for cleaning the coins.

Send applications to Vintage Faire Mall; c/o Janice Curtin; 3401 Dale Road, Suite 483; Modesto, 95356 by June 10.

Have an item for Business Beat? Contact Marijke Rowland at The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; (209) 578-2284 or mrowland@modbee.com.