Baked goods and pupusas, too. New businesses open across Stanislaus County
Foodies and shoppers rejoice! As we approach the mid-point of the year, businesses — especially dining businesses — are steadily growing, with the addition of 10 new or expanded restaurant options in Stanislaus County.
From workout wear to retro rags, new retail options offer outfits for any type of style. Read on to see what is new and open.
Modesto
Modesto has brought some fan favorites to the region with the opening of Lululemon at Vintage Faire Mall. Opened on April 17, this is the first and only location in the county of the popular athletic wear brand. The store is considered a “pop-up” and will be in the mall for two years, with the potential to remain beyond the end of the lease.
With over 165 menu items, 85°C Bakery is now open in the McHenry Avenue center anchored by Walmart. Customers grab a tray and tongs to select a wide array of pastries, cake slices, sandwiches and other treats. It also serves coffee, green teas, boba teas and smoothies. The shop will have an official grand opening June 12. The bakery is at 3848 McHenry Ave., suite 180.
Traveling south on McHenry, candle lovers may have noticed the new MoBaak Aroma Co., which recently reopened after moving from its original location in Roseburg Square. The store opened April 18 in the McHenry Village space formerly occupied by Royal Robbins.
Going toward downtown, Loverz Vintage opened on March 6 at 305 McHenry Ave., specializing in stylish Y2K and vintage streetwear, accessories, skateboards, and toys. The shop is run by husband and wife Diego Ruiz and Brenda Pedraza, who also sell clothing and art by local creators.
In downtown Modesto, The Alchemist Cafe opened on April 26 and serves nonalcoholic elixirs made with fresh juices and ingredients including Kava, which some say has a euphoric effect. Owner Candace Fleming started the business at 1311 E St. after she quit drinking alcohol. As a former bartender, her mocktails are crafted with unique flavors and are visually appealing. The cafe is operated in a small cottage with cozy rooms and serves coffee, teas, salads, sandwiches, and loaded toasts, the majority of which are gluten-free.
A new postal shipping store has opened in the Save Mart shopping center at Scenic Drive and Oakdale Road. Valley Postal Inc. opened in March and offers packing and shipping services, mailbox rentals, and copy, printing, and notary services.
Salida
In late March, Java Jill’s opened across from Kaiser Hospital at 4800 Dale Road. The cafe and bakery specializes in coffee drinks, baked goods and pastries. It also serves sandwiches, bagels and toasts.
After many years as a popular food truck parked at several spots in Salida, Tony’s Tacos now has a permanent spot at its new food truck court called La Plazita Montes, at 4800 Elm St. The court opened on April 22 and will also host Betzy’s Aguas Frescas and E&C Mexi Teriyaki trucks. Tony’s Tacos has gained a cult following as having some of the best tacos in the region, and owner Emerita Panduro says her sauce is one of the reasons why.
Riverbank
Located in the heart of downtown, Kinfolks Flatstone Grill opened in April, serving American classics with a fusion flair. The cuisine is a combination of cultures, a nod to the partnership between owners Jack Sinodinos and his brother-in-law, Luis Arauza. Giant burgers and chicken sandwiches are customer favorites, but there’s a wide variety of unique hot dogs, rice and protein bowls, and Ceci’s potato salad, which is Arauza’s wife’s secret family recipe. Kinfolks is at 3306 Santa Fe St.
Tractor Supply is now open at 2328 Patterson Road. The store is the fourth in the region, with locations in Ripon, Turlock, and Ceres. It had a soft opening on May 23 and will have a grand opening celebration on May 30-31.
Patterson
With a mouthwatering lineup of shrimp and grits, meatloaf, candied yams, fried chicken, catfish and other Southern classics, Muriel’s Southern Comfort Food opened on April 17. Owner Muriel Askew cooks by the motto, “Where every bite feels like home.” The restaurant is at 2985 Renzo Lane.
Turlock
From Mediterranean to South American, there are many new cultural food options now open in Turlock. Two recent openings, Thai Buri and Pupusa’s Francis, are expansions of their original locations elsewhere in the county.
On May 16, Pupusa’s Francis opened its first brick-and-mortar location, at 507 N. Golden State Blvd. Starting as a popular vendor at the Modesto Certified Farmers Market, it opened a food truck at Grub Hubs in Modesto in 2019. The Salvadoran restaurant not only serves its signature pupusas but has expanded with a larger menu that includes cultural classics stemming from family recipes.
Thai Buri opened a second location at 811 W. Hawkeye in April, expanding from its first location in Pelendale Plaza in Modesto. The restaurant serves authentic Thai favorites.
With an Instagram-worthy interior and bountiful bowls of fresh flavors and ingredients, Zalata is now open at 2679 Geer Road. Meaning “salad” in Assyrian, Zalata serves salads, protein bowls, sandwiches, toasts, and a large menu of coffee drinks, smoothies, juices, and matcha.
Across from Stanislaus State University, Kabob Place Mediterranean Grill is now open at 3821 Crowell Road. The restaurant serves heaping plates of kabob with Mediterranean classics like hummus, dolma, and sabzi.
