By Chris Murphy
Bringing the world together is part of Patrick and Sondra Chinn’s plan.
Chinn’s International has a special history reaching back to 1849 with the Chinn family in Truckee, CA. The family later moved to Isleton in 1900. Patrick Chinn is a 4th generation Californian store owner and started working in the store when he was 8. The family market sign that dates back to the 1800s is on the wall of Chinn’s International, located on J Street in downtown Modesto. After nearly 100 years of operation in Isleton the family store was sold. After a brief foray into the golf industry, Patrick connected with the Rinaldi’s Market in Linden and got the bug to open his own market and wanted to create a unique place, with hard-to-find specialty products. Patrick previously had the Market on 7th with a meat and specialty food market and monster craft beer selections. Today, the market tradition lives on at Chinn’s, offering Niman ranch meats, specialty food, ingredients and even gelato. Featured proudly is the 100+ year old cash register from the old family store.
The food and the craft beers are the foundation of Chinn’s. The J Street location has allowed Patrick and Sondra the ability to create a truly international experience, based on some of his traditional family favorites.
First, the dumplings. Yes, you can call them potstickers, but they are the freshest and tastiest dumplings around. Fresh pork ingredients, pan fried to order with a thin dough shell and served up with a spicy soy sauce will make you want to treat each taste specially. Next, the chow mein. This is hall of fame. Spicy pork or shrimp will really engage all of your senses and has quickly become one of our family’s take out faves. Another fun twist is Chinn’s take of spicy pork pozole with Ramen. This is both super tasty, rich and fun with a great broth. Patrick celebrates his mom, Besse with her receipt a special Besse Chinn Pizza on Saturdays served up with a spicy sriracha sauce.
If you have experienced Chinn’s, it’s a gathering place. This same thinking goes to the menu as his goal is to bring people together, enjoy company and create an international set of flavors. Patrick and Sondra have succeeded. Sondra’s Birria Tacos are my favorite in town and I am bummed when I don’t check my Instagram in time to see when they are being served. The Niman Ranch smashburger has quickly become a local favorite. One of the newer items on the menu is the pasta carbonara. The noodles are house made and the sauce is creamy and rich. Pork at Chinn’s is a specialty not to be missed. The beef in the burritos have the perfect spices and even the fish and chips are not to be missed.
The Chinn’s menu changes daily so make sure that you are checking @patrickchinn11 daily on Instagram. Key items like the sausage, dumplings, chow mein, bratwurst, and smashburger are served daily and the specials are always changing and always delicious, like the brisket burrito or the birria egg rolls or even a Loco Moco. Take a walk to the market, where you will find ready to go cuts of meat, specialty ingredients and Fiorellos gelato. (note: these are the only “ice cream” scoops in downtown Modesto).
In addition to the amazing food, there are always creative and tasty craft beers and ciders on tap, as well as a full bar. This is as close as we can get to Chinese food with full range cocktails here in Modesto. In the spirit of international togetherness, maybe Patrick will consider some Polynesian cocktails in a special Chinn mug someday? Check out the coolers of hand selected beers. When we met for this article, Patrick had just returned from Berkely on a beer run for the store.
As the world turns into the Chinese lunar new year, this has always been a special time for the Chinn family. This is a celebration to honor their relatives and celebrate their ancestors. Firecrackers weren’t just loud noise, but were key to blessings and cleansing.
The Lion Blessing was also special. Patrick hopes to bring a street celebration to downtown in the future. This year, there will be a Lunar New Year celebration at the Asian Supermarket on McHenry.
A meal at Chinn’s is an around the world experience, and it’s just the thing that is bringing people together in downtown Modesto. As we get close to summer, look for some more music on the patio. Third Party would be up for it.
See you at Chinn’s. Gung hay fat choy.
Chinn’s International
1205 J Street. Modesto
Mon-Tues 11-7 pm, Wed-Thur 11-9. Fri-Sat 11-10pm, Sunday 10-5 pm
Note, kitchen closes 1 hr. before close
@patrickchinn11
Note
Asian Market Lunar New Year
2425 McHenry Ave. Modesto
February 21st, 2026
Starts at 10:45 AM
