FoodView
By Chris Murphy and the ViewCrew
It’s June and it’s time for a picnic. Not just any picnic, but Modesto’s biggest picnic. For six Thursdays, (and a special Wed this year) Modesto’s central park hosts MoBand Concerts in the Park. Since 1919, the Modesto Band of Stanislaus County has been entertaining us with the best of the concert band hits from John Phillip Souza and contemporary artists all along the way. So what’s this picnic all about?
Thanks to the fundraising and the support of our community, MoBand Concerts in the Park are FREE. There is space for thousands of people, hundreds of blankets and a space to roam and mingle before the concert starts. Most people get their blankets out early on Thursday mornings, and start arriving by 6 pm. This is one of Modesto’s best gatherings all year long. You will always meet people you know and find new friends and having a good picnic blanket is key. Pro ViewCrew tip, cruise around with an empty glass and you will discover some great wine. The goodies? Many bring home cooked tastes, wine and treats, but a lot of us are busy, so we count on our local restaurants to make a picnic meal to go that’s easy to serve and most importantly share.
Our ViewCrew spread out across town, to shout out our faves that are easy to order, pick up, and share at MoBand, or any other potluck or gathering. I know if am a one trick pony to many of the events I go to, but I can count on Tokyo Express and Surla’s all the time. Check out some of the options here and please email us at info@modestoview.com<mailto:info@modestoview.com> or post your fave to go picnic dinners @modestoview
Tokyo Express
This is the easiest order around. Potstickers (Gyoza), deep fried prawns and egg rolls. These are comfort foods and crowd faves. The Gyoza are pan fried and filled with a delicious pork. Big giant prawns are dipped in batter and deep fried until golden. The egg rolls just seem to keep finding their way into my hands. Tokyo Express is so much more, from sushi, lunch Bento box, full Chinese menu, a variety of rolls, and even small bottles of Saki out of a small restaurant on J Street. This is a special place.
Tokyo Express, 1026 J St. Modesto 209-529-0950
Surla’s
One of the best to go snacks from Surla’s is Lumpia, a single order with four pieces. But another of my favorite things is his Musabi SPAM. This is the most utilitarian snack in much of the Hawaiian world, but these sushi sized bits are a home run, with sticky rice wrapped with nori. In your other hand, you show up with a Fina pizza loaded with kalamata olives, sausage, mozzarella, Stanislaus Foods marinara sauce. Call it in, pick it up and enjoy.
Surla’s. 431 12th St. Modesto. 209-550-5555
By Abigail Power
Nothing completes a picnic in the park or delicious happy hour like a gourmet cheese plate. We love picking these up to enjoy on the go and there’s a variety of flavors for everyone to enjoy from great local cafes and restaurants.
Mocha Magic Café & Bakeshop
Enjoy salami, cheese, fruits, crackers for one or for two from Mocha Magic. If you are picking up for MoBand, they are open until 3:00 PM – plus you can pick up delicious dessert treats like their hall of fame cupcakes and cookies as the perfect cherry on top of a perfect menu. They also take custom orders if you are planning a fun get together!
920 16th St. Modesto, CA 209-522-8955
Camp 4 Wine Café
Camp 4 is known for their fine wine and cheese with incredible ambiance – take the vibes of Camp 4 to-go with their “Concert and the Park Board”! With rotating cheeses, nuts, crackers, jams, and more -it’s a unique selection which elevates the picnic to a fine dining experience. On hot days and nights this summer, make sure you get the frozé which is available to-go and right across the street from Graceada Park. The perfect summer night combo.
1508 10th St. Modesto, CA. 209- 529-5898
Michael J Mangano
If you are looking for an easy picnic treat, you should enjoy the quality and freshness of the sushi at Save Mart! The California roll is especially delicious—fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. It’s a perfect grab-and-go option for a picnic or quick grab-n-go lunch. They have an experienced handmade sushi chef to make what you want. Great quality at a good price makes this a convenient and tasty choice I’ll return to.
Save Mart 801 Oakdale Rd. Modesto. 209-569-0240
Skewers
By Steve Perry
By Steve Perry
Food on a stick. Lots of our favorite foods are done this way. Enter Skewers Kabob House, a Modesto staple for 22 years, consistently serving meat on a stick. Of Course, with some awesome rice and vegetables. Offerings include Lula Kabob ground sirloin seasoned, Shish Kabob, pieces of angus sirloin, Barg Kabob Filet Mignon, Salmon or Tiger prawn Kabobs, Vegie Kabobs and Joojeh Chicken Kabobs. All of them seasoned and cooked to perfection and all on sticks! Our personal favorite is the Shish Kabob, seasoned so nicely and delicious every time
As concerts in the park are upon us, they offer an online ordering platform, so you can simply come in and get you food to and enjoy it park side with the MoBand. Just imagine some John Philips Souza, delicious skewers and a glass of wine in Modesto’s Crown Jewel Park, Graceada. With a band being led by a man with a stick!
Skewer’s 821 L St. Modesto 209-525-3611
