What are Modesto’s most iconic restaurant dishes? Here are several that come to mind

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A dripping grease stain on the shirt, pungent sandwich hands caked in mustard, a fork swirling inside an empty bowl as you wipe away layers of sauce and crumbs from the lower half of your face. Markers of a meal well enjoyed.

Whatever your preference, food options in Modesto are abundant and at some places even iconic. Here’s a sampling of notable eateries and signature dishes.

The Knockout Burger at Scenic Drive-In

1151 Scenic Drive

Even the most innocuous questions can trigger passionate debates and heated opinions. Like, “What’s your favorite burger?” For many Modestans, that answer is the Knockout Burger from Scenic Drive-In. A big mouth and large hands are not required, but help when enjoying this packed-high marvel of beef, avocado, mayo, lettuce, tomato, cheese, bacon and jalapeno on a perfectly toasted sesame seed bun.

Named for the knockout punch of heat from the raw jalapenos, it’s been served since Jim and Juanita Fee opened Scenic Drive-In in 1956 . Current owners Matthew and Ramcena Gregorian took over the restaurant in 2006 and have continued to serve this popular item, also offering knockout versions in a burrito, hot dog and fries.

Knockout Burger- $8.99

Neil’s Toss at Harvest Moon

1213 I St.

Some may not find a salad exciting, but the Neil’s Toss has eager eaters lining up at Harvest Moon during lunch on the regular. Mixed greens dance with mounds of juicy cubed sous vide chicken (previous menu versions listed the chicken as poached), bacon, avocado, tomato, house-made croutons, asiago and blue cheese crumbles all tossed with the restaurant’s signature creamy lime dressing.

Harvest Moon first opened as a barbecue restaurant in 1995. Longtime owner Mark Smallwood purchased the business in 1997 and changed the menu to the popular offerings still served today. Inspired by the “big salad” episode of “Seinfeld,” Smallwood noticed not many restaurants were offering entree-size salads and came up with this item named after Neil Young. Young also inspired the restaurant’s name.

In 2020, Smallwood sold the business and recipes to Marilyn Prescott and Jessie Wiggins, continuing on the salad legacy.

Neil’s Toss- $19.00

La Palooza sundae at Ice Cream Company

2401 E Orangeburg Ave, Suite 650

Though not a regularly ordered item, perhaps due to size, cost and lack of celebration, the La Palooza sundae at the Ice Cream Company is a sight to behold and a treat to be shared.

Ten pounds of your choice of scoops topped with syrup, whipped cream and a handful of cherries. Heads turn and mouths open as the mile-high dessert is brought to the table in a large glass dish. With over 18 flavors of housemade ice cream, the La Palooza caters to even the pickiest of palates.

It was the famous La Palooza that inspired current owner Bonnie Acree, with her husband Corey, to purchase the business in 2012. Having fond memories of her 15th birthday party, sharing the La Palooza with friends, Acree saved the shop from closing. She continues to offer the sweet treat while doing good for the community by starting Enrich and Employ , a nonprofit that aims to hire, train and prepare people with disabilities or other barriers to employment.

La Palooza sundae- $73.00

Chocolate panini bites at Camp 4 Wine Cafe

1508 10th St.

Traditionally, dessert is to be enjoyed after dinner. If it’s shaped like a sandwich, perhaps one can make an exception.

Warm, gooey milk or dark chocolate oozing out of a toasty panini, cut into strips and sprinkled with sea salt and cinnamon sugar, then served alongside a house-made whipped cream dip, it is a customer favorite for a reason. For those with food sensitivities, Camp 4 can also create this confection on gluten-free bread.

Opened in 2009 by Damon Robbins, Camp 4 is named after the popular campsite in Yosemite favored by rock climbers and as an homage to his father, climbing pioneer Royal Robbins. As an additional tribute, the wine cafe occupies the space of the former Royal Robbins clothing store. Though the menu changes seasonally, the chocolate panini bites remain a staple.

Chocolate panini bites- $10.00

Chili verde at Old Mill Cafe

Few things beat a diner breakfast. You can never go wrong with omelets, skillet scrambles, waffles, pancakes and hash browns. Old Mill Cafe has all these morning staples and an additional offering unique to the menu. Enter the chili verde.

Tender and savory slow-cooked pork swimming in slightly spicy chili verde sauce. The chili verde is added to an omelet, topped with jack cheese and served with your choice of potatoes. It’s the perfect brunch item and will leave you plenty full.

Old Mill Cafe also offers a breakfast enchilada: a tortilla filled with chorizo, eggs and jack cheese and topped with the verde sauce. Foodies and historical place lovers will get a double dose of satisfaction as they can enjoy the chili verde while dining at Modesto’s oldest continuously running restaurant.

Opened in 1934, the Old Mill Cafe originally was at Ninth and Needham streets but relocated to its current location in 2001 to accommodate the Kansas Avenue overpass.

Chili verde omelet- $14.95

Barbecued pork at Noah’s Hof Brau

1311 J St.

Amid the inviting aromas of the prepared food options at Noah’s Hof Brau, diners likely will hear the distinctive “‘thunk, thunk, thunk” of a sharp knife slicing through perfectly barbecued pork as it hits the cutting board, fanning out perfect little slices of sticky meat goodness.

Served as an entree item or stacked high on a soft French roll ladled with au jus sauce for the perfect sandwich, the barbecued pork is truly the star.

Opened around 1958, Noah’s original location was on J Street between Ninth and 10th streets, the restaurant started as a traditional German-style hof brau serving hot and ready carved meats with sides of veggies and mashed potatoes. In 1971, it was bought by Choon Lew, who added Chinese food to the offerings. Though the location and owners have since changed, the menu remains the same.

Barbecued pork plates start at $11.99 in a variety of combinations.

Nuggets and spuds with Valley sauce at Chicken Barn

1700 McHenry Ave, McHenry Village

You rarely can go wrong with a chicken nugget. With so many different kinds from endless restaurants, it may seem hard to pick a favorite. In Modesto, the Chicken Barn nugget is hard to beat. Plump chunks of chicken are coated in a seasoned batter resulting in a perfect golden and juicy chicken ball, excellently sized for dunking in the signature Valley sauce.

The sauce is a unique sweet, creamy ranch that pairs perfectly with the savory chicken. It is also the perfect dip for the spud potatoes that accompany the nuggets. Not your average fry, the long spuds are coated in a batter that creates a crispy crunch around a creamy hot potato quarter. Where they get the giant potatoes needed for a spud that long is a thought I’ve often had while enjoying the nugget meal.

Five-piece chicken nugget combo includes five nuggets, one individual side one dipping sauce, a biscuit and a fountain drink- $11.69

This list is a start but nowhere near comprehensive when it comes to unique Modesto fare. Did we miss your favorite item? Let me know at mfigueroa @modbee.com to add to a future feature on iconic local menu items.