Crusts, Crumbs and grills in Turlock; longtime Modesto spot in limbo

This week, I have answers to some of your questions.

First up, several people have been wondering when Crust & Crumb would open. The restaurant/bakery is on East Main Street in Turlock, in the spot formerly occupied by Ann’s Fish and Chips. Before that, it was Frost Bakery and going back a bit, Main Street Bagels occupied that space.

Crust & Crumb, I can finally say, opened last Monday. It was a soft opening, co-owner George Kosmas said.

“We’re still training people and getting everyone up to speed,” he said.

Crust & Crumb is operated by the same folks who run Edith’s Bakery, which has booths at local farmers markets. You can get the same specialty pastries, granola and breads at Crust & Crumb. This will be welcome news to my son, who adores Edith’s pumpkin bread – and only Edith’s pumpkin bread.

But Crust & Crumb has signature products of its own. My friend Amanda is already a giant fan of their onion roll, and as a doughnut connoisseur I can tell you that their version – made from challah bread – is delicious and surprisingly light-tasting.

I haven’t yet tried the artisan pizza, but the options sound pretty amazing: buffalo chicken, Greek and “Fun-Guy” mushroom, along with the more typical selections of pepperoni and cheese.

Kosmas said the reception from customers already has been amazing.

“We’ve been going a little bit crazy in here,” he said, laughing. “People have been very welcoming.”

Right now, Crust & Crumb has a staff of seven. Kosmas said he hopes to double that as business gets going. That includes a focus on the breakfast crowd, which can get sandwiches made to order on biscuit, bagel or focaccia roll and includes bacon or sausage, egg and cheese. And there’s a yummy-sounding veggie option, as well.

Lunch and dinner – which can soon include wine or a local craft brew – already is doing a brisk business. Patio seating, added during the remodeling of the building, already seems a popular spot.

Find Crust & Crumb at 428 E. Main St. The restaurant is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call 209-850-9262.

Elsewhere around the Business Beat:

Probably the question I get more than any other these days, via email, phone and (in the case of my neighbor, Joe, stopping me on the street), has to do with Gervasoni’s. The longtime downtown Modesto restaurant is moving to north McHenry Avenue in a relocation forced by the new Stanislaus County courthouse, which will be built at the old site.

According to the restaurant voicemail message, the owners had hoped to be open in April; I spoke with Rosalie Clark this week and she said work is still ongoing. There’s no opening date in sight, but she said she would keep me posted.

And finally, there’s an opening date for Hauck’s Grill, located down the street from Crust & Crumb in Turlock.

The grill, owned by Galletto Ristorante owners Tom and Karyn Gallo, will also share Galletto’s executive chef, Michael Goularte. It will be a more casual place, specializing in burgers and pub fare. And sports are taking center stage, as the bar will feature 21 television sets, up from the originally planned 12.

According to an email from marketing director Morgan Aue, Hauck’s will have its grand opening May 13 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

This story was originally published April 28, 2016 at 8:45 PM with the headline "Crusts, Crumbs and grills in Turlock; longtime Modesto spot in limbo."