Modesto’s Yosemite Boulevard a culinary extravaganza

It feels like I am late to a very good party.

I have only recently realized the great variety – and quality – of restaurants that line Modesto’s Yosemite Boulevard. Heck, it’s not just in Modesto, either.

Take Yosemite out to the east and, after it turns into Highway 132, you get to the venerable Fruit Yard, which has served up barbecue, buffets and brunch for nearly 40 years.

Driving toward Modesto, you could stop at Garcia’s Market in Empire. I have not yet been there, but my friend Lizzeth, who is about the best cook I know, swears by the meats there. A little farther west is Lula’s Neighborhood Grill, which my husband and I recently tried after our friend Mike talked up the burgers. Very good stuff. And there’s the Strikes & Spares Grill inside Yosemite Lanes, which with such fare as biscuits and gravy draws in even folks who don’t care for bowling.

But I want to focus on a pizza parlor at 1905 Yosemite Blvd.

Luigi’s Pizza has been a family-owned business since 1996. Pete Warda took it over in January, after the deaths of his father and brother, he said. Previously, Warda sold cars for a living.

“I had to stop doing what I was doing and step up and take on the role of being an owner of the business,” he said. “I had to keep the name and the family business going.”

Warda closed the parlor for a couple of months to remodel it and recently reopened it.

If the reviews on Luigi’s Facebook page are any indication, he’s improved on an already solid product. Customers rave about the meat, the sauce, the cheese and the crust. One even called it “fluffy.” If that doesn’t cry out for a visit, I don’t know what would.

I asked Warda what he would suggest for a first-time visitor. He said for pizza, he would suggest the Rigo’s Combo, Manley Meat Lovers or Smackin’ Chicken Bacon Ranch.

“And we have super amazing calzones,” he said in an email. “They would usually like the original style crust, which is common to the San Francisco-style pizza. Or the garlic butter pan, which is like a Chicago-style pizza.”

I have not been to Luigi’s, but you can bet I will stop by there one day soon. In addition to what sounds like a marvelous pie, Warda has a great attitude: “I’m super happy I had the opportunity and I made the choice to do what I’ve been doing here with the business,” he said.

Call 209-572-3520.

ELSEWHERE AROUND THE BUSINESS BEAT: Congratulations to the American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shops, which recently celebrated 50 years in business. The shops, staffed by volunteers, raise money for the American Cancer Society by selling gently used clothes, jewelry and furniture. I know from my years putting together The Modesto Bee’s “Around the Region” feature that Modesto’s store, at McHenry and Sylvan avenues, is always having nifty events with holiday themes.

Finding a good bargain and helping a great cause – what could be better than shopping like that?

Find the Discovery Shop at 1101 Sylvan Ave., Suite C105. Call 209-544-9279.

This story was originally published July 4, 2015 at 2:54 PM with the headline "Modesto’s Yosemite Boulevard a culinary extravaganza."