I had the best meal at this Stanislaus County burger spot. What I got for $25
I’ve spent most of my life in Stanislaus County — but my list of untried spots just keeps growing.
When Modesto Bee reader Michael Meade suggested I check out Backwoods Burgers in Oakdale for my next On a Budget stop, I was all in.
“Great burgers & sides are offered,” he wrote.
Michael isn’t the only fan of Backwoods Burgers. The restaurant has become a local favorite since opening in 2020.
Backwoods Burgers holds a 4.7-star rating on Google and a 4.5-star rating on Yelp, with reviewers saying the “customer service was impeccable” and “the quality of food was excellent.”
One Yelp reviewer said Backwoods Burgers serves “great burgers at good prices,” while another said they “never leave disappointed.”
With that kind of hype, I had to see for myself.
On a recent afternoon, I pulled up to see if this popular Stanislaus County burger spot could live up to the buzz — and more importantly, just how far $25 can go.
Here’s what I ordered:
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhy we did this story
Let’s face it, living in Modesto and going out can be expensive. That’s why Modesto Bee service journalism reporter Angela Rodriguez is bringing you along on her budget-friendly adventures. Born and raised in the Central Valley, Angela wants to help her fellow residents navigate life in the region (and have fun) without breaking the bank.
Where is popular Stanislaus County burger spot?
Backwoods Burgers is at 214 West F St., Suite D, in Oakdale. It’s part of the Oakdale Station shopping center.
The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
What’s on the menu at Backwoods Burgers?
The menu at Backwoods Burgers goes well beyond your standard burger joint.
You’ll find burgers, sandwiches, salads, side dishes and kid-friendly options — with plenty of ways to customize your order.
Burgers, of course, are the main attraction, ranging from about $11 to $17.
Options include everything from a classic smash burger — stacked with three patties, American cheese, grilled onions and chipotle mayo — to more creative picks such as the Big Mac N Cheese, topped with macaroni and cheese and bacon bits.
Staff are also “happy to make modifications to the burgers upon request,” Michael said.
There are options for different diets, including vegetarian choices, gluten-free buns and lettuce-wrapped burgers.
If you’re not in the mood for a burger, sandwiches cost around $12, with options such as the Grilled Teriyaki chicken sandwich served on sourdough bread.
Salads — priced for $14 to $16 — include flavorful picks such as the Mango Habanero salad with crispy chicken, fresh mango and housemade sauces.
On the sides menu, you’ll find fries — from regular and sweet potato to garlic and Cajun — starting at $4, plus fried zucchini for $5 and more.
If you’ve got room for dessert, options include the banana wafer pudding for $5, tiramisu for $7 and red velvet cake for $8.
How I spent my $25 budget at Stanislaus County burger spot
Before I had even stepped inside Backwoods Burgers, Michael had already given me a list of things to try.
“My favorite burger there is the Mexicana, but I’ve had them all, and you can’t go wrong,” Michael said.
I ordered the Mexicana burger for $12 — stacked with pepper jack cheese, hickory-smoked bacon, guacamole, pickled jalapeños and tomatillo salsa.
For my side, Michael suggested the fried zucchini. However, the garlic fries were calling my name. I went with a half order for $4.
Drink-wise, the restaurant offers everything from fountain sodas to beers and ciders on tap, plus a weekday happy hour with $1 brews from 2 to 5 p.m. To keep myself under budget, I stuck with water.
Michael insisted I had to try the banana wafer pudding, calling it “one of the best desserts” in Stanislaus County.
I added the $5 dessert to my order.
After ordering at the counter, I grabbed a table while the lunch crowd buzzed around me.
Country music played overhead, a rodeo flickered across the TV screens and the smell of burgers filled the restaurant. It felt like the kind of place where servers and regulars know each other by name.
It wasn’t long before my burger and garlic fries arrived.
The shoestring fries came piled high with garlic and shredded Parmesan cheese. They were crispy, salty and packed with flavor. I could not resist finishing off half of them before digging into my burger.
Sitting on top of the burger was a surprise crunch — a duritos-style Mexican pinwheel chip.
The burger lived up to the hype. It was juicy, messy and packed with flavor from the smoky bacon, creamy guacamole and spicy jalapeño. It honestly might be one of the best burgers I’ve had in Stanislaus County.
When I had finished off my burger and the rest of my fries, the server brought out my banana wafer pudding.
Michael talked up the banana wafer pudding so much that I thought there was no way it could meet expectations — but it exceeded them.
The pudding was light, creamy and just sweet enough, layered with soft wafers and banana flavor that tasted homemade in the best way possible. I scraped the bowl clean and still wanted another bite.
As good as the burger was, the banana pudding definitely stole the show.
Is Backwoods Burgers affordable?
I’d absolutely consider Backwoods Burgers one of the more budget-friendly places I’ve been to in Stanislaus County.
The menu has a solid range of prices, with burgers starting around $11, sandwiches around $12, salads starting at $14 and sides beginning at $4.
There are also kid-friendly meals and desserts starting at $5, making it easy for families or individuals to find something within their budget.
For my meal, I ordered a burger, garlic fries and the banana wafer pudding dessert for $21. After adding taxes and a 15% tip, my total came out to $25.90.
Considering the portion sizes, quality of the food and overall experience, my meal was well worth the price.
Thank you for the suggestion, Michael!
This ended up being one of the best meals I’ve had in Stanislaus County — and it’s definitely a spot I’d recommend to friends and family.
Where should I go next?
Have any ideas for where I should go next in or around Modesto? I’m exploring the area on a $25 budget.
Send your suggestions to arodriguez@modbee.com or fill out the form below.
Can’t see the form? Go to tinyurl.com/3euwab47.
