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  • The Modesto Bee

    Chick-fil-A is No. 1 restaurant chain requested by Modesto residents. What else made the list?

    By Angela Rodriguez,

    6 days ago

    What restaurant chains in Modesto missing?

    Is it Chick-fil-A? Cracker Barrel? What about Jersey Mike’s Subs?

    The Modesto Bee asked you — our readers — about which restaurants you most want to come to Modesto. We’ve received more than 75 submissions.

    Here’s what you voted for:

    Which chain do Modesto residents want most? Chick-fil-a

    The results were clear: Modesto residents want to see a Chick-fil-A location more than any other restaurant chain.

    More than 20 readers voted for the chicken place, known for its signature sandwiches and waffle fries.

    “We need one desperately,” Modesto Bee reader Lauren Savage wrote to The Bee.

    “I hate having to drive 20 minutes to Manteca and the spot that would be perfect for it would be where they are putting yet another In-N-Out off Oakdale and Sylvan,” Savage said. “We also don’t need another McDonald’s either.”

    “(I’m) tired of driving far for my fix,” another Bee reader, Kylie Joe, wrote “There needs to be one closer.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3504mi_0vdSaAZj00
    Residents said Chick-fil-A is the restaurant they most want to see come to Modesto Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Jeffery Washington

    Though Chick-fil-A has no plans for a Modesto location anytime soon, a new Chick-fil-A is set to open in Merced — which is about a 40-minute drive from Modesto.

    “We are always evaluating potential new locations in the hopes of serving existing and new customers great food with remarkable service,” Chick-fil-A company representatives wrote in an emailed statement to The Bee in August. “While we hope to serve the Stanislaus County community in the future, we do not currently have any locations to confirm.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Qwz6b_0vdSaAZj00
    Chick-fil-A is known for its chicken sandwiches and waffle fries. Nick Kindelsperger/TNS

    Jessica Hill, Modesto’s director of community and economic development, said the city frequently receives requests for a Chick-fil-A .

    While the city is working to bring a Chick-fil-A restaurant to Modesto, the challenge lies in finding a suitable location, Hill told The Bee in August.

    Chick-fil-A prefers sites “right off the freeway” with “a big enough parcel to accommodate their long drive-thru,” she said.

    “Trying to find what they’re looking for with the size of parcel has been something that the city of Modesto continues to explore,” Hill said.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2Pj2Uw_0vdSaAZj00
    The Chick-fil-A at Yosemite Avenue in Manteca is the closest location to Modesto. Andy Alfaro/aalfaro@modbee.com

    Cheesecake Factor, Cracker Barrel among most requested restaurants

    The Cheesecake Factory was No. 2 on the list for major restaurant chains Modesto residents most want to see, with 12 votes.

    The chain is known for its expansive menu, fancy dining rooms and, of course, cheesecake.

    “Love their extensive and varied menu!” Bee reader Cheryl Banducci wrote.

    Bee reader Cindy Smith called The Cheesecake Factory “unique, offers variety (and) easy on the budget.”

    “Simply put, (it) absolutely serves scrumptious food!” Smith wrote.

    The Cheesecake Factory has close to 40 locations across California. However, there were no plans for a location in Modesto, as of Tuesday, Sept. 17.

    The closest location is in Pleasanton , according to Google Maps.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0xqRAf_0vdSaAZj00
    The Cheesecake Factory on Arden Way is seen here. The restaurant on Wednesday is giving away free slices with orders through a delivery service. Sacramento Bee file

    Cracker Barrel got the third most votes from Modesto residents, with exactly 10 votes.

    It is one of the most popular Southern-themed restaurant chains in the country.

    Though Cracker Barrel has five locations in California , there are currently no locations planned for the Modesto region.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=16ng2U_0vdSaAZj00
    Customers wait in line early Monday, Aug. 20, 2018 for the grand opening of Cracker Barrel in Arden Arcade. Hector Amezcua/Sacramento Bee file

    What about Jersey Mike’s Subs?

    Jersey Mike’s Subs was No. 4 on the list of restaurant chains requested by Modesto residents, with four votes.

    The sandwich shop chain is set to come to Modesto.

    As of Tuesday, Sept. 17, a Modesto location was listed as “in development” at 1809 McHenry Ave., Suite A.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0a7hYr_0vdSaAZj00
    The owner of the forthcoming Jersey Mike’s in Kennewick, Tim Klienfelter, plans on opening a second store in Pasco. A father-son duo Derek and Dylann Tonn are opening two others. Jersey Mike's

    P.F. Chang’s , a restaurant specializing in Asian cuisine, took fifth place with three votes from readers.

    With over 20 locations, the closest P.F. Chang’s to Modesto is in Pleasanton, according to Google Maps.

    A P.F. Chang’s would offer “a more upscale Chinese cuisine” for Modesto residents, one reader said.

    Shake Shack came in at No. 6, with two votes from readers.

    The restaurant chain, known for its burgers and made-in-house milkshakes, had no plans for a Modesto location , as of Tuesday, Sept. 17.

    The chain offers “different burger options from just In-N-Out,” Bee reader Sarah Hernandez said.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1dQK4j_0vdSaAZj00
    Shake Shack will open its first Sacramento location in the Ice Blocks later this year or early 2020, a spokeswoman said. Courtesy of Evan Sung

    What other chains are missing locations in Modesto?

    The following major restaurant chains received one vote each from Modesto Bee readers:

    What do you want to know about life in Modesto? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@modbee.com .

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    Comments / 5
    Add a Comment
    Castro
    3d ago
    white castle would be nice
    Ed Rocha Jr
    4d ago
    Chick-fil-A is overrated not that great!!!
    View all comments
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