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How Many Restaurants Are There in Modesto?

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Restaurants in Modesto: Key Takeaways

  • Modesto has approximately 655 restaurants distributed across several key areas in the city.
  • Full-service restaurants are most common, totaling about 250 venues in Modesto.
  • Mexican cuisine is the dominant food type with over 320 restaurants serving authentic and diverse dishes.

Modesto hosts a vibrant dining scene with 655 restaurants. This article provides a detailed breakdown by area, category, and cuisine, highlighting why counts can vary across data sources.

Explore how Modesto's restaurants spread over neighborhoods, business types like fast food and cafes, and a culinary spectrum dominated by Mexican and pizza offerings.

For those interested in the operational side of dining, see this guide to restaurant owner responsibilities which covers key aspects of running a restaurant in any city.

Breakdown of Restaurants in Modesto by Area

Below is a detailed snapshot of how many restaurants each major Modesto area contains.

AreaNumber of Restaurants
Downtown150
North Modesto120
South Modesto100
East Modesto85
West Modesto80
Other120

Downtown Modesto is the central dining hotspot with the highest concentration of restaurants at 150 venues. North and South Modesto also feature significant clusters, indicating active commercial and residential food hubs.

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The distribution in East, West, and other parts of Modesto shows a balanced spread of restaurants catering to diverse neighborhoods across the city.

Breakdown of Restaurants in Modesto by Category

This table illustrates how various restaurant types contribute to Modesto’s dining landscape.

CategoryApproximate Count
Full-Service Restaurants250
Fast Food and Quick-Service Restaurants150
Cafes and Coffee Shops80
Bars and Pubs75
Food Trucks and Street Food Vendors50
Pop-up Restaurants25
Ghost Kitchens and Virtual Restaurants25

Full-service restaurants represent the largest segment with about 250 venues, focusing on sit-down dining experiences. Fast food and quick-service outlets also contribute significantly with 150 restaurants offering convenience.

Owners of fast food, cafes, and bars may want to review top hiring tips for servers and waiters to streamline recruitment and support growth in Modesto's bustling market.

Cafes, bars, and emerging trends like food trucks, pop-ups, and ghost kitchens add to Modesto's rich and varied food scene.

Breakdown of Restaurants in Modesto by Cuisine

Modesto’s cuisine diversity is evident in the distribution by food type.

CuisineApproximate Number
Mexican328
Pizza118
Burgers160
Chinese57
Seafood50
Italian39
Barbecue33
Korean26
Japanese32
New American24
Vietnamese20
Mediterranean16
Indian10
Thai9
Greek6
Cuban2

Mexican cuisine is the overwhelming favorite in Modesto with 328 restaurants, reflecting a strong cultural influence. Burger and pizza places also hold significant shares, supporting a classic American dining experience.

To learn more about the roles that keep these restaurants running, check out the restaurant manager job description for a deeper understanding of day-to-day management operations.

Asian cuisines such as Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese contribute a rich variety while Mediterranean, Indian, and other unique flavors enhance Modesto’s culinary diversity.

Official Modesto Records and Registered Restaurant Businesses

The City of Modesto maintains official records through health inspections, permits and business licensing that track registered food establishments. This system ensures venues meet all regulatory and safety standards required.

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These official listings provide a reliable baseline count of operational and legally compliant restaurants registered within city boundaries.

Restaurants in Modesto Listed on Google and Other Online Platforms

Online platforms such as Google Maps collect data on publicly visible and currently operating restaurants. These platforms often show numbers differing from official records as they depend on user inputs, active business status, and online presence.

As a result, Google listings may emphasize restaurants with an active digital footprint and may miss those temporarily closed, newly opened without listings, or informal setups, leading to slight count differences.

For those managing hiring or running restaurants, see practical tips for hiring restaurant staff efficiently to keep your business competitive.

Why Restaurant Counts in Modesto Vary and Conclusion

Variation in counts arises due to different data collection methods, definitions of what constitutes a restaurant, and inclusion or exclusion of informal dining concepts like food trucks and ghost kitchens.

Modesto’s restaurant landscape is a dynamic and evolving ecosystem, with approximately 655 venues reflecting its cultural diversity and the changing needs of its residents and visitors.

To further explore the hospitality field, review the how to become a server guide if you are considering a hands-on role within this bustling industry.