Hungry? These 10 Stanislaus County restaurants and bars opened in 2023

Dominique Williams
·3 min read

Stanislaus County welcomed a wide variety of restaurants and bars in 2023.

The Modesto Bee combed through past Biz Beat coverage to find some of the best businesses that opened in the area — from burgers and macaroni-and-cheese to Indian fusion and Vietnamese food.

Here are 10 places to eat and drink that opened between January and December:

Nicole Fernandez, right, plays with her dog Champ as Darlene Tafoya, left, enjoys a hard cider with her mother Frances (not pictured) and beagle Tino at Bark indoor dog park and tap room in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023.
Nicole Fernandez, right, plays with her dog Champ as Darlene Tafoya, left, enjoys a hard cider with her mother Frances (not pictured) and beagle Tino at Bark indoor dog park and tap room in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023.

What opened in Stanislaus County in 2023?

Bark Dog Park & Tap Room, located in Modesto’s McHenry Village, isn’t any old dog park. It’s indoors — and it serves beer.

Bark, which opened in August, features two enclosed dog play areas — one for large dogs and another for smaller or shy dogs — with play structures, turf, toys, seating areas and more.

The refreshments kiosk, in an enclosed area of the indoor park, serves local craft beers, ciders and hard seltzers, as well as snacks and nonalcoholic options.

Small plates available on the menu at Oakdale’s Bistro 120 including fried asparagus, philly cheesesteak rolls and clam chowder.
Small plates available on the menu at Oakdale’s Bistro 120 including fried asparagus, philly cheesesteak rolls and clam chowder.

Bistro 120, 152 N. Yosemite Ave. in Oakdale, brought an “elevated casual” vibe to Stanislaus County in August.

In addition to a full bar, the restaurant features a diverse selection of small plates, entree salads, sandwiches, burgers and dinner options.

Bistro 120 sits in the building that once housed Cafe Bliss.

Maine lobster Mac & cheese bowl at I Heart Mac & Cheese in Turlock, Calif., Thursday, August 24, 2023.
Maine lobster Mac & cheese bowl at I Heart Mac & Cheese in Turlock, Calif., Thursday, August 24, 2023.

I Heart Mac and Cheese, 1205 W. Monte Vista Ave. in Turlock, opened its first Northern California location in late August. It’s part of a national franchise.

The Turlock location is owned by husband-and-wife team Ben and Tracy Bazar.

The eatery serves macaconi-and-cheese bowls, grilled cheese sandwiches and seasonal dishes. You can customize your dish with a build-your-own bowl or grilled cheese sandwich.

In-N-Out restaurant at Ceres Gateway Center in Ceres, Calif., Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.
In-N-Out restaurant at Ceres Gateway Center in Ceres, Calif., Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

In-N-Out Burger, one of the West Coast’s most beloved fast-food chains, opened its fourth Stanislaus location in January.

The new spot is located at 2942 Service Road in the Ceres Gateway shopping center.

In-N-Out also has two locations in Modesto and one in Turlock, with 394 locations nationwide. The chain celebrated its 75th year of business in 2023.

Combo bowl ( lamb, basmati rice, romaine lettuce, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers topped with tzatziki and spicy yogurt) at Nick the Greek restaurant in Riverbank, Calif., Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
Combo bowl ( lamb, basmati rice, romaine lettuce, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers topped with tzatziki and spicy yogurt) at Nick the Greek restaurant in Riverbank, Calif., Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

Nick the Greek opened its first Northern San Joaquin Valley location at 2251 Claribel Road in Riverbank in September.

The restaurant chain was started in San Jose by three cousins of Greek descent — all named Nick.

Nick the Greek offers Mediterranean street food, including gyros and pita sandwiches stuffed with fries.

Cakes in a display case are pictured at Nothing Bundt Cakes on Thursday morning, Aug. 18, 2016, in Modesto, Calif.
Cakes in a display case are pictured at Nothing Bundt Cakes on Thursday morning, Aug. 18, 2016, in Modesto, Calif.

Nothing Bundt Cakes, 2922 Geer Road in Turlock, opened in the summer, bringing more thickly-iced treats to Stanislaus County.

The company’s other Stanislaus County location opened on Standiford Avenue in Modesto in 2016.

The bundt cakes come in various sizes and are themed for all occasions.

From the left, spicy lamb breadsticks, palak paneer pasta twist, samosas, vegan combination pizza and butter pizza at Pizza Twist in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, April 6, 2023.
From the left, spicy lamb breadsticks, palak paneer pasta twist, samosas, vegan combination pizza and butter pizza at Pizza Twist in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, April 6, 2023.

Pizza Twist, 3401 Oakdale Road, Suite 615, in Modesto, brought exactly what it sounds like — pizza with a twist — to Stanislaus County.

Pizza Twist offers traditional and Indian fusion pies in a variety of flavors.

You can customize your pie by picking any of Pizza Twist’s eight sauces and choosing from meat, vegetarian, vegan and halal toppings and hand-tossed, thin, Chicago pan, cauliflower and gluten-free crusts.

Full Tandoori chicken plate at Tandoori Flame restaurant on 10th Street in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.
Full Tandoori chicken plate at Tandoori Flame restaurant on 10th Street in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.

Tandoori Flame opened at 907 10th St. in Modesto in September. It’s the third location of a well-loved Indian eatery.

Stanislaus County residents used to visit Westley or Patterson to enjoy the takeout food. Those two locations are attached to gas stations.

With the opening of Tandoori Flame’s downtown Modesto location, diners can enjoy a full-service experience.

Tandoori Flame’s menu features about 70 items, including several vegetarian options.

Vietnamese pho and egg rolls at The Pho restaurant on Dale Road in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.
Vietnamese pho and egg rolls at The Pho restaurant on Dale Road in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.

The Pho, 4500 Dale Road in Modesto, opened its second location in the city in January.

The restaurant chain, which specializes in authentic Vietnamese cuisine, also has a location in Stockton and one in Manteca.

The Pho serves pho, bahn mi sandwiches, rice dishes, bubble tea and more.

BBQ brisket sandwich at West Coast Sourdough in the Monte Vista Crossings shopping center in Turlock, Calif., Friday, March 17, 2023.
BBQ brisket sandwich at West Coast Sourdough in the Monte Vista Crossings shopping center in Turlock, Calif., Friday, March 17, 2023.

West Coast Sourdough, which has multiple new Stanislaus County locations, opened the first of three local spots in Turlock in March.

Two Modesto sandwich stops, located on Tully Road and Pelandale Avenue, opened later in the year.

The California-based chain has 18 sandwich options, as well as specials, soup, salads and kids meals.

Former Modesto Bee reporter Marijke Rowland contributed to this story.

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