Modesto family’s goal is to improve downtown with food truck court. How they’ll do it
For one Modesto family, the opening of a food truck court downtown isn’t just about adding more dining options to the area.
The Bustoses established Paradise Plaza, at 722 I St., in May 2024. Jorge Bustos bought the property in 2005, but it wasn’t until 2019 that the idea came about to rezone and create a grub hub.
“One of the councilmen had told us that they were gonna move all the food trucks from (across I Street), and we thought it would be something cool for them to just move across the street,” said Gabriela Bustos, daughter of Jorge Bustos. Gabriela and her siblings — Loreina, Jorge Jr., Jose and Daniel — manage the plaza for their parents, who have retired.
The family envisions Paradise Plaza as a dining destination for train and bus commuters and downtown residents and workers. The Bustoses also want to provide for the community through free public events and improving the downtown area, Gabriela Bustos said.
She said they’ve worked with the city to do sidewalk repairs, fix the planters and plant more trees. The Bustoses also have been submitting tickets to GoModesto! for cleanup requests.
“It should be a nice, cool, urban spot where you can walk over for lunch and feel safe,” Gabriela Bustos said.
There are 10 food trucks at Paradise Plaza:
- Antojitos Sinaloa - agua frescas, fruit cups, tostiesquites (Tostitos plus Mexican street corn salad), and more
- Double B’s Burgers - cheeseburgers, loaded fries, burnt-end sausage, milkshakes and more
- E&C Mexi-Teriyaki - Mexican and Japanese fusion. Try the chicken teriyaki, katsu chicken, spicy shrimp or spicy chicken, co-owner Estela Acosta said in Spanish. “Todos estan muy ricos (They are all very tasty),” she said.
- El Mexicano - tacos, sopes, gorditas and more
- Romeros Cocina - birria grilled cheese, quesabirria, birria ramen
- Sacred Slice - New York and Detroit-style pizza
- Tacos Dona Chula - tortas, burritos, enchiladas and more
- Tacos La Guera 33 - seafood (aguachile, ceviche), Michoacan-style Mexican food, hamburgers and hot dogs
- Taqueria Cinco Estrellas - flautas, morisqueta, sincronizada and more
- The Wing Truck - chickenwings, chicken tenders, fries and more(coming soon)
The food trucks’ hours vary. Bustos suggests checking the food trucks’ individual Instagram pages to see when they’ll be open.
This story was originally published January 29, 2025 at 12:20 PM.
.jpg)
