More restaurant closures in Modesto, Stanislaus County as COVID-19 pandemic continues
As the pandemic wears on, so do its losses.
From the unfathomable loss of human life nearing half a million of our fellow Americans, to the countless businesses large and small struggling to survive, it’s been an endlessly exhausting slog these past 11 months.
In Modesto and Stanislaus County that also means more restaurants can be added to the sad list of those claimed by the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
The highest profile of these closures is Tahoe Joe’s, the steakhouse chain with a prominent spot at the corner of Pelandale Avenue and Sisk Road in north Modesto. First opened in 2004, the restaurant was known for its woodsy decor and hearty steaks.
The chain, which was founded in Fresno, has closed some locations during the pandemic including the Modesto site. The closure is listed as “temporary,” but no reopening information is available.
A publicist speaking on behalf of the company said in an email that, “Modesto is just closed because of the restrictions from Covid. They would like to open back up when restrictions allow them to have full sales levels.”
Tahoe Joe’s is owned by VitaNova Brands, which also owns several other smaller restaurant chains including HomeTown Buffet and the fellow buffet brands Old Country and Ryan’s among others. But their buffet chains have closed since the start of the pandemic.
The HomeTown Buffet on Countryside Drive in Turlock, the last still operating before the pandemic in our region, is also listed as closed by the company website. Though there’s a hopeful parenthesis next to the listing that says “Reopening Soon,” the likelihood of that remains unknown.
Another popular buffet and personal favorite has also folded due to the pandemic in Modesto. Monsoon Restaurant on 10th Street downtown is closed for good. Known for its excellent Indian food and what I considered the best lunch buffet in the city, the restaurant just couldn’t overcome its losses, said owner and chef Gurinder Khaira (known as “Binny” to friends).
He said while his takeout business was going well after his initial closure last March, cancellation from private events and caterings took a big hit. Since deciding to shut down he has moved back to the Bay Area and opened a small takeout restaurant there instead.
Some restaurants closing expansion sites in pandemic
But the good news is his Modesto space won’t be empty for long. Khaira has reached a deal with next-door Rancho Fresco Mexican Grill to take over the building. An application for a liquor license has been posted announcing the new arrival and intent to open a “general eating place.” Khaira said he expects it to be a cantina and restaurant that attaches to the existing Rancho Fresco that faces J Street.
Finally, in another unfortunate trend caused by the pandemic, Tesoro Mexican Restaurant has closed its Modesto location. The eatery has an original location on Lander Avenue in Turlock that remains open. But the Modesto site on Tully Road which opened in 2018 is now closed for good.
It follows a number of local restaurants with multiple locations that have closed at least one site since the COVID-19 outbreak began. Others include Dust Bowl Brewing Company, which closed its downtown Turlock taproom but kept open its larger Turlock brewery and new Monterey taproom, and The Tri-Tipery, which closed its Escalon expansion, but its Ballico site is open and serving.
As Stanislaus County remains in the purple tier of coronavirus outbreak and closures (meaning takeout or outdoor dining only), now more than ever is a time to support your favorites. Enjoy them and support them safely however you can, because this pandemic is tragically far from over.
This story was originally published February 11, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
