By Chris Murphy and the ViewCrew
The ViewCrew is all about the breakfast. This is more than just a simple ham and eggs experience and there are all types of breakfast people from early risers to afternoon brunchers. I am an early riser, as are my grandkids. For me, a 10 am breakfast is just too late, for others, too early. So what do you do, when you want a full deluxe breakfast and maybe a bloody, mimosa or Irish Coffee as your adult treat to get the day going? There are a lot of breakfast places, that do a great job, Old Mill, Denny’s, Perko’s, Huckleberry’s, My Garden Café and others, but finding that breakfast/brunch with that “something extra” beverage is what we are looking for this month. Plus, it’s football season now so getting a brunch with a morning adult beverage if you choose, makes for a fun game day. The places we have listed here are all ages so there is something for everyone! We know that this is not a complete list, but is a good sampling of your breakfast options.Now, how can you plan your day? Let’s start with the early openings so you can get your breakfast and get on to your weekend fun.
6:00 am
Ok it’s game on.
The Fruit Yard – 6:00 AM Daily
7948 Yosemite Blvd Modesto
Like a good clock, the Fruit Yard delivers the early morning boost every day of the week beginning at 6 am. You can enjoy Big hearty breakfast, and full bar and special weekend brunches. You can get even get a Philly tri tip cheesesteak omelet, big country fried steak and eggs, a big Fruit Yard skillet and even the traditional breakfast special. You can enjoy your Hangover omelet with a nice Bloody Mary or mimosa for you and a shake for the kids. On Sundays, the seafood buffet starts at 11 am. – Chris Murphy
7:00 am
The Secret Garden – 7:00 AM Daily
2401 E Orangeburg Modesto
The Secret Garden is well known by both its new fans and the old Ridgways’ fans. The restaurant is beautiful, light with fluffy and fancy cocktails, mimosa flights along with traditional big breakfasts. There are light healthy tastes and toasts and even cinnamon toast crunch French toast, country steak to avocado toast and even oreo pancakes, breakfast tacos as well as beautiful mimosa flights or even cotton candy topped sparkling drinks. Our favorite part is when you turn right, into the bar. This will take you back in time and make you hungry and thirsty for a bloody Mary and a chicken fried steak with a generous side of hashbrowns. – Chris Murphy
Lucille – 7:00 AM Mon. to Sat.
1218 H St. Modesto
This is about the cutest café in town. Breakfast is served at Lucille, all day, every day! Lunch starts at 11:00, but you can indulge in their Fancy Toasts (savory or sweet!), homemade biscuits, and the Champion Breakfast Platter all with a fresh orange juice mimosa to toast from the crack of dawn! Our recommendation? A Saturday morning trip to the farmers market and a walk down H St to get the Early Bird sandwich on fresh focaccia, cappuccino, and a mimosa! Lucille is a “quaint and cozy café with counter-service” so the earlier you get there, the better! Great spot for early risers and those that enjoy special, intentional morning moments! – Abigail Power
Velvet Creamery – 7:00 AM Daily
2204 McHenry & 3250 Dale Road
One of Modesto’s longest running breakfasts has been faithfully serving daily breakfast for decades. Big traditional breakfasts, crispy hashbrowns and fresh milk shakes are the way to start your day. You can fancy your giant egg scramble or corned beef hash with a fresh juice mimosa to bring some sparkle to your brunch. Some of our favorites are the ABC, avocado, bacon cheddar omelet or the fluffy original pancakes and crispy hashbrowns. You can’t leave without a fresh Velvet made ice cream shake. – Chris Murphy
Biscuit Basket – 7:00 AM Daily
501 Bangs Ave Modesto
First off, the biscuits are amazing. 2nd, you can start with a mimosa, plain dragonfruit, or lavender while you try to choose your meal from a big menu. Billionaire bacon is not to be missed and there is even a Billionaire Bacon and Egg fried rice. For those that remember the Sundial and Mallards, this is the place, and the regulars are there to prove it and the Sundial waffle is on the menu. From sirloin chicken fried steak to green chilaquiles, you are covered. I love the hash topped with corned beef and of course, some biscuits. Alan and Fernando have you covered and who knows, you may even see Dan or Stan cooking in the kitchen.
501 Bangs Ave Modesto 209-422-6150 – Chris Murphy
8:00 am
Squeeze In – 8:00 AM Daily
3020 Floyd #101 Modesto
Ack Ack! No other breakfast place in town has an alien greeting. This place is fun with a really wild menu with original tastes. Better order your Bloody Mary right away as it will take some time to get through the groovy illustrated menu of tasty treats. I had the Manly Morris Meal, which comes with two eggs prepared any way you like(I went scrambled), with spudz, toast, your choice of ham, bacon, sausage, or turkey sausage, and a ½ order of biscuits and gravy (which is almost as large as many full orders). If you don’t have a big appetite, I recommend you go with the Brickhouse. We also enjoyed the Hangover omelet with hashbrowns. When we visited, we got to sample their new biscuit recipe. Wow, buttery and flaky, and it needs to be part of your order. You can even write on the wall! Fun for kids, too. – Middagh Goodwin
My Mimosas – 8:00 AM Daily
917 J St. Modesto
Can you say GIANT mango mimosas? Well this is the place. With an extensive bar menu, and big breakfast menu, you can’t miss. They even have shrimp and crab omelets and fun kids menu so you can get anything from the traditional to the fun flavors like a crab, prawn and avocado benedict along with crepes, pancakes and waffles with loads of different toppings. Lots of big TVs to keep the kids interested. Good way to start a fun day in downtown Modesto. – Chris Murphy
Twin Rivers – 9:00 am Saturday & Sunday
Head out west on Highway 132 for a weekend brunch, with your fave hearty homestyle faves, hot off the griddle pancakes and cold drinks and cocktails to start your weekend days.
7000 Maze Blvd. Modesto 209-380-1613 @twinriversmodesto
Commonwealth – 10:00 AM Sat & Sun
1022 11th St Modesto
If you’re looking for brunch with a BANG, Commonwealth in Downtown Modesto is the place to be. With its menu that blends comfort and creative fusion, brunch here feels unique and familiar at the same time! Fan favorites include the Waffle Madame sandwich (ham, swiss, maple butter, on a Belgian waffle) and the Mack (cheddar biscuit with fried chicken served with pickles), but all pair perfectly with the glass or pitcher of mimosa or a pint of one of their many beers on tap. If you’re looking for something on the semi-lighter side, emphasis on semi, the Q&L and Cobb salads are veggie and protein-packed for a great start to the day. Come hungry, leave happy! – Abigail & Harrison Power
Harvest Moon – Open 10:00 AM Daily
1213 I St. Modesto
Harvest Moon needs no introduction – it’s one of Modesto’s longtime favorite brunch and lunch spots in Downtown. Open every day from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with a hearty menu with everything from protein packed salads to special bread pudding French toast, the Moon has it all. Crab omelets, biscuits and gravy, and blueberry pancakes round out a brunch menu to fill you up and energize you for a full day. One of the best parts? Their full bar with epic drinks like the “Over the Moon” Bloody Mary served with bacon and a grilled cheese and French 75 and Tiffany cocktails available in a carafe size to share with the whole table. The ViewCrew will “Meet You at the Moon”! – Abigail and Harrison Power
Sunday Only Specials!
Twisted Pig – 9:00 AM Brunch
2717 Coffee Rd.
Mixed berry bacon French toast. WOW. How’s that for a brunch start?
The fun flavors and the morning cocktails flow for Twisted Pig Sunday brunch. The Twisted touch is part of many fun entrees with loads of bacon, pork, tots, eggs, country gravy and even a brunch burger. You can get a nice mango, peach, strawberry or oj mimosa or sharable mule and your kids can enjoy tasty pancakes with a wild berry topping bacon & syrup. Once a month they have a R&B brunch that will get your Sunday Funday going. – Chris Murphy
Fuzio – 10:00 AM Brunch
1020 10th St.
Brunch is new to the downtown go-to spot and they are knocking it out of the park. From Soufflé pancakes to steak and eggs to brunch burgers and more, Fuzio has a fun brunch menu that is fun for the whole family. The Habanero Bloody Mary and Special Brunch Mimosa with guava, pineapple, and orange are the perfect addition to a hearty menu. Don’t forget the firecracker pork benedicts and the total bonus are the crunchy potatoes packed with garlic and salt and are the ideal side for over medium eggs. Try it this weekend! You won’t regret it. – Abigail & Harrison Power
Bauhaus – 10:00 AM Brunch
405 Downey Ave Modesto
This is one of the more adventurous Sunday brunches and features very tasty sangrias to get your breakfast going. You may find cod, clams and eggs, or a special vegan pastry filled with strawberry and lemon curd and the French toast, or chocolate strawberry pasty is always special with your morning mimosa.
Also opening at 10 am are Chinn’s featuring chilaquiles and huevos rancheros with a great morning beer selection and Wildfire Public House with their chicken and waffles, brunch pizza and so much more.
Chinn’s International – 1205 J St Modesto 209-750-5709 @patrickchinn11 for daily specials
Wildfire Public House – 1533 Oakdale Rd. Modesto 209-521-8667 @wildfiremodesto
11:00 AM
Lots of places are open and ready to enjoy! Many of our faves open up at 11:00 AM and feature brunch, cocktails and so much more. Check out these worthy local restaurants and cafes like Churchkey, Food Fix, Surla’s with a huge Sunday brunch with many food stations on the last Sunday each month.
Needless to say, this does not cover everything as we only have so much space here. Please email us your fave Modesto breakfast experience and we will share. Let’s eat local and enjoy. We will update this article as we get more info at www.modestoview.com
