I stopped for lunch at ‘amazing’ Modesto restaurant known for brunch. What I got for $20

Inside Look is a Modesto Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories.

On the corner of H and 14th streets in downtown Modesto, there’s a cozy restaurant with a name that promises great things: Delicioso Bistro .

Modesto Bee reader Cory Lane recommended it and its “amazing food” for this month’s “On A Budget.”

“I loved the Don Chilaquiles and if you have a chance, try the Concha/Conchita,” Cory wrote me last month. “It’s amazing.”

Longtime Modesto chef Miguel Martinez opened Delicioso Bistro at 1410 H St. in 2020, taking over the space formerly occupied by My Chef & Catering.

The restaurant is an expansion of Martinez’s earlier venture, an ice cream and taco shop also named Delicioso, that he launched in west Modesto in 2017 at the corner of I and Fourth streets, which has since closed.

On a recent afternoon, I stopped by Delicioso Bistro with a $20 budget.

Here’s what I got:

What’s on the menu at Delicioso Bistro?

As I usually do before trying a new restaurant, I did some digging to see what to expect.

Delicioso Bistro has an average of nearly four and a half stars on Yelp , with nearly 200 glowing reviews from diners.

“We had stuffed French toast and it was great !” Teresa D. of Turlock wrote on Yelp, sharing a five-star rating. “Service was quick and good.”

Another Yelp reviewer called Delicioso Bistro a “ chef’s kiss .”

“One of my favorite breakfast spots ,” Nasser S. of Modesto wrote, giving the restaurant a five-star rating. “(The staff is) always polite and friendly. Food never disappoints.”

Upon entering Delicioso Bistro around 1 p.m., I was warmly greeted by a server who promptly seated me.

As I perused the extensive brunch menu , I enjoyed the laid-back ambiance enhanced by comforting covers of popular songs, including “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon and “Falling Slowly” by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, playing through speakers throughout the restaurant.

Delicioso Bistro offers a diverse selection, including salads, pastas, sandwiches, burgers, crepes and omelets.

Some menu options that caught my eye included the Monte Cristo sandwich with brioche, ham, turkey, cheese and raspberry sauce for $15, and the Chile Relleno Eggs Benedict made with a poached egg, English toast, salsa roja and house-made Hollandaise sauce for $17.

How I spent my $20

Following Cory’s recommendation, I opted for The Concha: egg-soaked concha bread served with fresh fruit and caramel sauce for $15.

To drink, I chose the iced Horchata Latte, featuring espresso over horchata and sweetened condensed milk for about $6.

While I waited for my meal, I soaked in the charming ambiance of Delicioso Bistro.

The restaurant was festively adorned with Halloween decorations, from faux cobwebs to playful bat stickers.

Every detail, such as the cantarito de barro, which is a traditional Mexican, handmade clay cup, used as a flower vase in the restroom and the glass display case brimming with trinkets, contributed to an inviting atmosphere. It evoked fond memories of my Mexican grandmother’s cozy home.

Even the outdoor patio, lush with plants, reminded me of her ever-growing garden.

It wasn’t long before my meal arrived, and it certainly lived up to Cory’s praise.

The Horchata Latte was as delightful as I’d hoped — sweet and energizing.

However, the Concha truly amazed me, as Cory had promised.

I never imagined transforming this beloved Mexican treat into French toast, and it surpassed all expectations.

The combination of sweet fruit and luscious caramel created a perfect balance, leaving me craving more long after it was gone.

Is Delicioso Bistro affordable?

Delicioso Bistro’s brunch menu has an array of classic dishes, from steak and eggs to chicken and waffles. These dishes range in price from $13.75 to $29.

There are also crepes on the menu, which range in price from $14 to $17.

Other items on the menu include salads for $15 and omelets for $15 to $18.

Drinks, including coffees, sodas and milkshakes, cost between $3 and $9.

I got a dish and drink for $20.95.

After taxes, fees and a tip, my total came out to $25.

Though I went over my $20 budget, I definitely enjoyed my time at Delicioso Bistro.

Thanks again for the recommendation, Cory!

Where should I go next?

Have any ideas on where I should visit next in Modesto on a budget?

Send me recommendations at arodriguez@modbee.com or by filling out the form below.

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 .