Chick-fil-A is No. 1 restaurant chain requested by Modesto residents. What else made the list?
What restaurant chains in Modesto missing?
Is it Chick-fil-A? Cracker Barrel? What about Jersey Mike’s Subs?
The Modesto Bee asked you — our readers — about which restaurants you most want to come to Modesto. We’ve received more than 75 submissions.
Here’s what you voted for:
Which chain do Modesto residents want most? Chick-fil-a
The results were clear: Modesto residents want to see a Chick-fil-A location more than any other restaurant chain.
More than 20 readers voted for the chicken place, known for its signature sandwiches and waffle fries.
“We need one desperately,” Modesto Bee reader Lauren Savage wrote to The Bee.
“I hate having to drive 20 minutes to Manteca and the spot that would be perfect for it would be where they are putting yet another In-N-Out off Oakdale and Sylvan,” Savage said. “We also don’t need another McDonald’s either.”
“(I’m) tired of driving far for my fix,” another Bee reader, Kylie Joe, wrote “There needs to be one closer.”
Though Chick-fil-A has no plans for a Modesto location anytime soon, a new Chick-fil-A is set to open in Merced — which is about a 40-minute drive from Modesto.
“We are always evaluating potential new locations in the hopes of serving existing and new customers great food with remarkable service,” Chick-fil-A company representatives wrote in an emailed statement to The Bee in August. “While we hope to serve the Stanislaus County community in the future, we do not currently have any locations to confirm.”
Jessica Hill, Modesto’s director of community and economic development, said the city frequently receives requests for a Chick-fil-A.
While the city is working to bring a Chick-fil-A restaurant to Modesto, the challenge lies in finding a suitable location, Hill told The Bee in August.
Chick-fil-A prefers sites “right off the freeway” with “a big enough parcel to accommodate their long drive-thru,” she said.
“Trying to find what they’re looking for with the size of parcel has been something that the city of Modesto continues to explore,” Hill said.
Cheesecake Factor, Cracker Barrel among most requested restaurants
The Cheesecake Factory was No. 2 on the list for major restaurant chains Modesto residents most want to see, with 12 votes.
The chain is known for its expansive menu, fancy dining rooms and, of course, cheesecake.
“Love their extensive and varied menu!” Bee reader Cheryl Banducci wrote.
Bee reader Cindy Smith called The Cheesecake Factory “unique, offers variety (and) easy on the budget.”
“Simply put, (it) absolutely serves scrumptious food!” Smith wrote.
The Cheesecake Factory has close to 40 locations across California. However, there were no plans for a location in Modesto, as of Tuesday, Sept. 17.
The closest location is in Pleasanton, according to Google Maps.
Cracker Barrel got the third most votes from Modesto residents, with exactly 10 votes.
It is one of the most popular Southern-themed restaurant chains in the country.
Though Cracker Barrel has five locations in California, there are currently no locations planned for the Modesto region.
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What about Jersey Mike’s Subs?
Jersey Mike’s Subs was No. 4 on the list of restaurant chains requested by Modesto residents, with four votes.
The sandwich shop chain is set to come to Modesto.
As of Tuesday, Sept. 17, a Modesto location was listed as “in development” at 1809 McHenry Ave., Suite A.
P.F. Chang’s, a restaurant specializing in Asian cuisine, took fifth place with three votes from readers.
With over 20 locations, the closest P.F. Chang’s to Modesto is in Pleasanton, according to Google Maps.
A P.F. Chang’s would offer “a more upscale Chinese cuisine” for Modesto residents, one reader said.
Shake Shack came in at No. 6, with two votes from readers.
The restaurant chain, known for its burgers and made-in-house milkshakes, had no plans for a Modesto location, as of Tuesday, Sept. 17.
The chain offers “different burger options from just In-N-Out,” Bee reader Sarah Hernandez said.
What other chains are missing locations in Modesto?
The following major restaurant chains received one vote each from Modesto Bee readers:
- Benihana: Sushi and Japanese Steakhouse
- Blaze Pizza
- Culver’s
- Dog Haus
- Famous Dave’s BBQ Restaurant
- Firehouse Subs
- Joe’s Crab Shack
- Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar
- Longhorn Steakhouse
- Mendocino Farms
- MOD Pizza
- Noodles and Company
- Porto’s Bakery and Cafe
- Romano’s Macaroni Grill Italian Restaurant
- Rubio’s Coastal Grill
- The Beach Hut Deli
- The Hat
- The Old Spaghetti Factory
- White Castle
- Yard House
- 85°C Bakery Cafe
