FOOD&WINE
I RESTAURANT GUIDE
El Rancho Inn Steak and Lobster House 1457 E. Mariposa Rd., (209) 467-1529 Full bar. Open for lunch and dinner. $$$-$$$$
Celebrating seventy years in business, El Rancho Inn has been charming customers with its superior service and delectable dishes. Although most drive by without giving this establishment a second glance, it’s well worth your time to stop in for a meal. The steak, lobster, and homemade soups are excellent, but be sure to look up from your plate and take in the surroundings. From the cattle brands on the walls to the regulars relaxing at their favorite tables, this country inn is sure to bring a smile to your face as well as warmth to your belly. Flips Burgers 2503 Waterloo Rd., (209) 943-5477, www.flipsburger.blogspot.com Open for lunch and dinner. $
This place is what some people might call a diamond in the rough. It’s small and quaint, but packs a punch with their awesome menu of decadent fried favorites. Come in for a big juicy burger since they have over fifteen options including the ever-popular Mad Cow Burger, which includes toppings like a fried egg and fried jalapenos. They also have several choices of hot dogs, a plethora of fresh ingredients to pile atop, and a separate section on the menu that’s devoted to their deep-fryer, where you can order such delicacies as the fried twinkie, fried oreo, fried pickles, or fried zucchini. If you love true-blue American food, then discover this hidden gem in Stockton and you’ll be hooked. The Fruit Bowl 8767 E. Waterloo Rd. (209) 931-1196, www.thefruitbowl.com Open for breakfast and lunch. $.
Since 1947 the Luchettis have been selling delicious, fresh fruit from their ranch. After years of passersby stopping in for their ripe peaches and cherries, today the Luchettis sell more than just fresh fruit. Stop in for homemade preserves or their famous fruit or cream pies. They also offer fresh baked bread, pastries, cookies, muffins and imported Italian coffee. If you’re more than just passing through, have a seat and enjoy their gelato made in-house using their own home grown produce. Let them make you a warm panini sandwich or try their best seller, Ina Luchetti’s original Zucchinni Torta. If you want homemade food that’s as fresh as it gets, The Fruit Bowl is a little piece of country heaven. Garlic Brothers 6629 Embarcadero Dr., (209) 474-6585, www.garlic-brothers.com Full bar. Open for lunch and dinner. $$
Ironically, Garlic Brothers is a spectacular spot for a date, even though the kitchen is known to go heavy on the—you guessed it—garlic. Fun and lively, this restaurant
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sits right on the water’s edge and boasts delicious garlicky pizzas, pastas, and seafood. Contrary to popular belief, however, anything on the menu can be whipped up without the brothers’ favorite ingredient. Before you leave, roll up your sleeves and dig into a serving of Justy’s Cake—vanilla ice cream on a cookie crust topped with toffee and glazed with caramel and chocolate. Gian’s Delicatessen 2112 Pacific Ave., (209) 469-0108 Open for lunch. $
Nobody does sandwiches quite like Gian’s, and that’s why locals flock to this long-time neighborhood gem for a lunch that makes you say Mmm! Try their coppa and prosciutto, flown in from where else but Parma, Italy, the food capital of the world. Or have some of their homemade Italian dishes like their famously delectable ravioli. It won’t be long before you become a regular at this must-visit Italian eatery. La Palma Mexican Cuisine 2301 Pacific Ave., (209) 941-4179, www.lapalmaonthemile.com. Full bar. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. $$
Open since December of 2009, La Palma has quickly become a favorite in Stockton for delicious Mexican cuisine. Come for their fish tacos, sizzling fajitas, and shrimp green enchiladas, all of which are included on their list of specialty dishes. Open at 10 a.m., La Palma also serves hearty breakfast dishes like eggs with chorizo, huevos rancheros, and chillaquilles. Enjoy a cocktail at their full service bar, or one of their decadent desserts like the ChimiPalmas. Their festive yet tasteful décor and friendly service add to the pleasant atmosphere of this Stockton hotspot. Le Bistro 3121 W. Benjamin Holt Dr., (209) 951-0885, www.lebistrostockton.com Full bar. Open for dinner. $$$$
This award-winning restaurant is Stockton’s only four-star dining experience. Whether eating lunch or dinner, Le Bistro offers a menu of French Continental cuisine beautifully presented in a stylish and sophisticated setting. This is a luxurious affair, where servers wear tuxedos and the everevolving wine list is like no other. The quiet elegance extends to the outdoor patio as well as four banquet rooms that can accommodate up to two hundred guests. If you are in the mood for an upscale treat, this is the place to go. Check the website for current information about live bands playing in the restaurant’s show room this fall. Masa Contemporary Japanese Lounge 2819 W. March Lane, (209) 473-1255 Wine and beer. Open for lunch and dinner. $$
With their modern yet welcoming
décor, fresh selection of sashimi, and friendly service, Masa is a major contender on the Stockton sushi scene. Their diverse selection of handmade sushi rolls includes fast favorites like the Masa roll which includes onion, tuna, avocado, and asparagus. Their unique creations are only paralleled by their elegant presentation. If your date isn’t a big sushi fan, there are plenty of other great menu items like the teriyaki chicken or beef udon on the menu, just to name a couple.
Moo Moo’s is decorated with handpainted murals of a large barn and open pastures, but the atmosphere is more reminiscent of a ‘50s diner than a drive through the countryside. Authentic burgers, shakes, onion rings, and fries are served in addition to less greasy sandwiches, salads, veggie burgers, and sweet potato fries. This is a great place to come with small children for a fun, tasty, and affordable meal. Moo Moo’s ensures that, like happy cows, happy diners come from California.
Mezzo
Outback Steakhouse
3499 Brookside Rd., Suite A, (209) 473-7300 Full bar. Open for lunch and dinner. $$
1243 W. March Lane., (209) 954-9615, www.outbacksteakhouse.com Full bar. Open for lunch and dinner. $$
This wonderful Italian restaurant is dialed in to what local foodies are looking for. The hand-painted artwork on the walls helps create their elegant yet fun ambiance, and the friendly staff is happy to make your dining experience special. However, where Mezzo really hits the mark is with their use of fresh and local produce that travels from the farm to your plate, making their scrumptious dishes taste even fresher. Their passion for cooking authentic Italian meals doesn’t stop there, as their pasta is also homemade, proving that Mezzo has the passion that all true food lovers will come back to taste time and time again. Michael’s New York Style Pizza 2300 W Alpine Ave., Ste. A, (209) 462-6668 Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $-$$
Once simply one of the best pizza joints in Stockton, Michael’s has grown to add a café, deli, and now a full breakfast menu. The pizzas (13 combinations or make your own) draw you in but choices for everyone keep the community coming back as a whole. Michael’s also boasts a party room for up to 40 guests and has long been a favorite for sports teams and birthday parties. Dive into a hearty meat pizza or give Michael’s newest creation, the whole wheat crust, a try. Midtown Creperie 2311 Pacific Ave., (209) 941-9070, www.midtowncreperie.com Open for breakfast and lunch. Dinner served only on Thurs., Fri., and Sat. $
For those who’ve always wanted to visit the French quarter in New Orleans, now they can have all the southern charm and delicious flavors of Louisiana at Midtown Creperie. With a fantastic menu of both savory and sweet crepes, along with salads, sandwiches, and scrumptious breakfast items like omelets and beignets, this fantastic addition to the Miracle Mile is the perfect place to put a little south in your mouth. Moo Moo’s Burger Barn 10940 Trinity Parkway, (209) 957-9450 222 N. El Dorado St., (209) 469-9450, www.moo-moos.com. No alcohol served. Open for lunch and dinner. $
Playing off the name of the restaurant,
For a perfect steak every time, Outback Steakhouse is always number one. Their hearty menu includes ribeye, NY strip steak, Prime Rib, and their Outback Special, a signature sirloin seasoned to perfection. Steak dishes come with options like adding a delicious blue cheese or horseradish crumb crust, or their Lobster and Mushroom topping. If you’re not into red meat, Outback accommodates you with plenty of delicious chicken and fish dishes like their Shrimp En Fuego Fettuccini or their King Crab. Plus they have great salads, sides, soups, and appetizers like their famous Bloomin’ Onion. Papapavlo’s Bistro and Bar 501 N. Lincoln Center, (209) 477-6133, www.papapavlos.com. Full bar. Open for lunch and dinner. $$-$$$
Papapavlo’s Bistro and Bar is considered by many to be one of Northern California’s most unique fine dining establishments located in Stockton’s Lincoln Center. They offer you the finest and freshest in gourmet cuisine and their fabulous menu includes a large variety of continental dishes. The main dining room has a unique design with a showcase kitchen and bar in warm, classy decor.You’ll find the three outdoor dining patios a perfect place to relax during lunch or dinner. Papapavlo’s offers four private banquet rooms accommodating groups as intimate as 12 to as large as 100 guests. Papapavlo’s also specializes in offpremises dining with their outstanding catering services. Peking Restaurant 7555 Pacific Ave., (209) 957-0617, www.pekingstockton.com Beer and wine. Open for lunch and dinner. $$
Peking has all the Chinese dishes that your family already knows and loves, like seasoned mushu pork, crispy pan pacific won tons, and hot and sour soup. But they also have some new classics that you’re bound to discover, just ask your server for their fresh specials, or try what locals have already deemed an instant classic like their delicious crispy House Chicken. The dishes at Peking are never bland, but are always served hot, JULY 2011