83700 Mon Feb 11 13:43:27 -0800 2002 6 3 California 0 464761 Hi I'm going to be taking a trip down the central valley, via Hwy. 99 to the Fresno, Dinuba, Sanger area, probably passing through Modesto, Merced, Madera, etc. I'm coming from the Bay Area, and I'm looking for some great places to eat. I'm planning on going to the Wool Growers if I can, but other than that I haven't heard of any other places that sound good. I'm just looking for some inexpensive, good food, holes in the wall especially. I've been passing through these towns for a couple of years now, and it's hard to believe there's not some great food hidden there somewhere. thanks in advance. Mon Feb 11 13:43:27 -0800 2002 0 N. Watanabe 1 464762 I lived in Modesto a year and a half ago. While there a few of the places my wife and I discovered include: India Palate Fine Cuisine 915 Yosemite Blvd, Modesto, CA 95354 (209) 523-0324 This is my top pick. They have a house chutney that I have never seen anywhere else that is amazing. They called it onion chutney. The rest of the dishes I would suggest using your discretion. My parents thought the lamb was strong but I liked it. The appetizers are pretty reliably good and the entrees are generally good too. They where always pretty accomodating to us as well even seating us during less convenient times and where generally very attentive. The dishes are pretty typical of Indian food but that works out pretty good for Modesto. Tasty Thai 1401 Coffee Rd # C Modesto, CA (209) 571-8424 We got take out here a few times and ate in once. Not the top Thai I have had but in Modesto if you want Thai this will work. Maria's Taco Shop 2083 W Orangeburg Ave Modesto, CA (209) 571-8632 or 2402 Mchenry Ave Modesto, CA (209) 238-3527 This is a chain (they have one or two in Fresno and other places in between) but generally good for take out mexican food. There are lots of Taco trucks as well that if you are looking for street food these hit the spot. Michael's La Boulangerie 3430 Tully Rd # 42 Modesto, CA (209) 577-8183 My wife always liked this place. I thought it was good too but it is mostly sandwiches so I was less inclined to go there. They do have a cheese and pesto sandwich that was good. Scenic Drive Inn 1151 Scenic Dr Modesto, CA (209) 522-3536 We lived within walking distance so when we where in the mood for a greasy burger and a shake this is where we ended up (this wasn't often) They have tables to sit at but you have to be brave to sit at them. If you want this stuff be prepared to take it in your car. There was also a little medditeranean influenced place we used to go for hummus and lite sandwiches. I can't remember the name (It might be Papachinos, or something like that, or I could be mixing it up with another restaurant). But it is right downtown so if you are driving by you might stop in. As for Fresno here are my picks arranged by their distance from the 99: Take the Shaw exit and head east till you get to Brahma Bull 3050 W Shaw Ave # 109 Fresno, CA (559) 275-1100 They have a decent buffet and good entrees as well. We managed to eat here about every other month when we lived in Fresno. Right next door is Sweet Ginger Thai Cuisine 3050 W Shaw Ave # 105 Fresno, CA (559) 275-7422 I ate here two times and the food was good both times. I can't remember what I ordered because it has been even longer that we lived in Fresno then when we lived in Modesto. If you keep heading up Shaw turn right on Blackstone and at the corner of Blackstone and Gettysburg there is a Mexican restaurant on the South East corner that has sopes that we get whenever we are back visiting. I like the pork but you can get your choice of meat on them. If you head up gettysburg over the freeway there are two places you might consider. On the right is Fresno Deli 2450 E Gettysburg Ave Fresno, CA (559) 225-7906 It is actually more like a market with a deli counter but whenever I needed ingredients for persian food I could generally find them there. The sandwhiches at the counter are pretty decent too. I normally would get the feta cheese sandwich. If you are brave you might also try the yoghurt soda they have in the refrigerator case. It is an acquired taste but the sooner you start the sooner you will acquire it and they are popular in the Middle East I understand. Across the street is a Lebanese restaurant. I think it might be called Medditeranean or something similar but it is a must whenever we are in Fresno. When we start planning a trip back to Fresno this is the one place that we absolutely must go. We get our four year old the hummus and we dig in to chicken schwerma. It can get crowded at lunch but it is worth the wait. The best Thai food in Fresno is at the Thai House 1069 E Shaw Ave Fresno, CA (559) 221-7245 Just cut back over to Shaw Avenue and it is in the shopping center on the South side of Shaw just east of the Mall. If you want a recommendation I would say start with the basil fried rice. It alone makes the meal but thet also do good Thai curries and larb and lots of other good dishes. In Fresno and Modesto you can also get pretty excellent produce. It is a little early in the year for most things but try some of the produce stands. We always buy stuff for friends of family in less agriculturally blessed areas. These choices are all pretty reasonably priced. We could never afford very fancy places but we did prety well on the less expensive options. Fresno is a pretty big place and there are alot of markets and ethnic food that I didn't touch on. If you have more specific requests I might be able to help. scott Mon Feb 11 18:24:41 -0800 2002 464761 0 scott duncan 1 464763 If your in the mood for chili burgers, chili dogs and chili fies, you might want to try the Chuck Wagon on Academy Ave. in Sanger. Don't know the exact address but ask anyone, it's a landmark!!! Mon Feb 11 20:05:10 -0800 2002 464761 0 Anthony 2 464778 Chuckwagon is at 1203 Academy, Sanger. Academy is the major N/S road in town. If going to Reedley, Uncle Harry's is good for the price. The Bear Club is well known. If you don't mind spending $20-30, my favorite is Gourmet Garden. Food is as good as most anywhere, and exceptional for a little town. Tue Feb 12 21:34:58 -0800 2002 464763 0 EnjoyEating 1 464804 You aren't going to find great food, but if you're looking for the flavor of the valley, I've got a few picks. Hanford is off 99 a little, but is the cutest of all valley towns. Has a really sweet main square, where you will find Superior Dairy. They make their own ice cream and I don't believe they have changed the menu in 60 years. (My parents used to go there on dates). The old stone jail in the main square had been turned into a pretty good restaurant when I was last there, but it's been a few years. There's also a remarkable private museum there, the asian art collection of a wealthy rancher, I believe. In Visalia, a little closer to 99, you can find Taylor's Hot Dog Stand downtown. Yes, it's just hot dogs, but it's a tiny old stand in a parking lot, and there's a joy to downing a dog and a Coke in a parking lot. You'll also find Mearle's Drive In on Mooney Blvd. across from the JC. It was built during WWII, and is what Mel's Diner is striving for. Try the chili size and a brown cow. For heartier food (beef!), the Chuck Wagon is always fun - very old fashioned. I grew up in Visalia, and these are the places I try to hit when I go back. There may be better food, but no place to give you more of a valley feel. Have fun! Fri Feb 15 12:11:30 -0800 2002 464761 0 Jill Cornwell 1 464877 I lived in Fresno for more years than I want to admit. I hesitate to recommend Kims Vietnamese Restaurant on Maroa just north of Shaw. The hesitation is because there are days when its so crowded that the parking lot is full and so is the street and there's a wait for a table. Then there's Sam's Bar-B-Q on the southeast corner of Shaw and Marks (behind Outpost). Both Kims and Sam's are closed on Sundays. On Sunday, try Zipangu on the northeast corner of West and Shaw (behind the der Wienerschnitzels). Be prepared to wait up to an hour for your sushi after you order. Or you can splurge for steak at Tahoe Joe's. There's two of them, one at the northeast corner Marks and Shaw and the other is at the northeast corner of Herndon and Cedar. Sunday is chicken pot pie soup day. If you want dim sum, try the Imperial Garden on the east side of Blackstone just south of Herndon. Mon Feb 25 04:13:36 -0800 2002 464761 0 Betty 1 464941 While in Dinuba, you will want to go to Sandoval's. Definately do not miss Gourmet Garden in Reedley. If you can hit there about dinner time, The Elegant Bull in Delhi. For a totally top flight meal, Erna's Elderberry House in Oakhurst. Sun Mar 03 19:06:18 -0800 2002 464761 0 EKM