Brown’s paintin’ the town before Gallo show tonight

Never mind Waldo. Today, Modesto residents are asking themselves, “Where’s Alton?”

Celebrity chef and Food Network star Alton Brown brought his touring show into the city today and has already started exploring the area. The “Cutthroat Kitchen” and “Iron Chef America” star will perform his Alton Brown Live! The Edible Inevitable Tour at 7:30 tonight at the Gallo Center for the Arts. But before hitting the stage, he posted pictures and videos of his local food finds along with the hashtag #ABRoadEatsModesto.

Brown frequently posts photos and videos from his road adventures on his Twitter, Instagram and Facebook feeds, sharing his culinary discoveries and other insights with his followers in each new city. His first Modesto stop was to create a new coffee concoction at Preservation Coffee & Tea on J Street.

Brown posted this on his Instagram account: “Just christened a new drink @prescoffeetea : the Cacao Tipper, espresso, milk, cocoa nibs and nutmeg. I had two. ABRoadEatsModesto.”

Then later this afternoon, Brown stopped to sign the Food Fix food truck in town. Brown posted a video on Twitter of him putting his signature self-portrait doodle and “AB” autograph on the front of the truck’s hood. He also tried one of the food truck’s signature “Porkstrami and Pretzel” sandwiches and posted a photo online saying, “Dang. You’ve got something good going on.”

Then, after signing a food truck, he ate at downtown Modesto’s taco trucks. Brown posted a picture of his meal from the Los Portalitos Taco Truck on Eighth Street and gave his stamp of approval via Twitter: “Was told I couldn’t leave Modesto without a visit to the tacos trucks. I listened and agree.”

Brown comes to Modesto after spending a few days down the road south on Highway 99 in Fresno, where he performed Tuesday night. He posted several photos from his Fresno stay, including one in a dentist’s chair from a chipped tooth and at a number of different eateries. Our sister paper The Fresno Bee tracked his whereabouts for his stay in their town.

The former “Good Eats” host also did one of his “flash sign” events, where he posts coordinates to a location on his social media pages and offers to sign autographs at that spot at a certain time. No word on whether he’ll also do one in Modesto, too, but we’ll keep you posted.

A handful of area fans and restaurants have used Brown’s penchant for good grub to suggest food stops for the TV personality, using the #ABRoadEatsModesto hashtag. Suggestions so far have included Mr. T’s Delicate Donut Shop, Camp 4 Wine Cafe, Fuzio Bistro, Rockin’ B Burger Co. and Picasso’s Gourmet Deli.

While in Fresno, Brown also filmed a behind-the-scenes personal tour of his bus. Take a look for yourself below.

So, where else do you think Brown should go eat while in Modesto? Are you headed to his sold-out performance at the Gallo Center tonight? Be sure to check back here today because we’ll keep you updated on Brown’s Modesto whereabouts and escapades throughout the day.

This story was originally published March 18, 2015 at 11:51 AM with the headline "Brown’s paintin’ the town before Gallo show tonight."