Eating out has been a well-mourned commodity since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down social systems and immune systems alike.  Many small businesses in the area have been severely impacted, and some have gone under due to the temporary shut-down and subsequent lack of indoor eating accommodations. Others have still managed to survive by delivering or offering outdoor seating options. Being that many students are still residing in Turlock, whether on campus or off, they may wish to be informed of the numerous tasty and affordable places to eat.

Willie’s Pizza and Wings + Lulu’s Ice Cream Parlor

Run by the same owner, these two establishments have a variety of foods to offer, and at decent prices as well.  

Owner Patricia Ashman says that “Willie’s makes everything from scratch, pizza sauces, wing sauces, everything. We grate our own cheese and slice all of our vegetables. We have a really cool ‘hella hella hot wing’ challenge.” The menu ranges between $7.50 for 6-piece wings and about $27 for a specialty pizza.

“Lulu’s serves burgers, fries, shakes, sundaes and ice cream scoops,” Ashman says, “We serve 28 flavors of ice cream and what some say are the best burgers in town!”  Lulu’s menu is broad in that it offers $12 gourmet burgers as well as a more readily affordable $2 menu.

Both Willie’s and Lulu’s are currently following all guidelines for COVID safety, including no dine-in services but offer outdoor seating. Orders can be picked up at either restaurant, with the average wait being around 15 minutes. Additionally, Willie’s offers delivery services, which take about half an hour to one hour depending on the day.

Ashman says that both restaurants are a “wonderful environment for employees. Everyone loves working here, and we love our customers.”

Pho Americana 209

Pho Americana 209 is a Vietnamese restaurant located right across from the Stan State campus on Crowell Rd.

Owner Jo Sisemore says that currently, “We offer outdoor seating on our front patio (we have two tables that are first come first serve, no reservations).  We offer take out, phone orders and delivery through Postmates, Doordash and Grubhub.”

Sisemore says that the wait for seating “depends on the time. During the lunch and dinner rush it can get up to 45 minutes, but normally time for food is about 10-20 minutes (just depends on how large the order is).”

The restaurant is closely following COVID safety guidelines. All employees that interact with customers wear masks. Customers are asked to wear a mask while not seated at a table. All items that are used by customers are wiped down after use, and they are sanitizing frequently touched surfaces several times throughout the day and constantly washing their hands. Unfortunately, Sisemore says that they have had to lay off the majority of their staff due to COVID and are currently running with just three employees.

The menu ranges from $4 to about $15, which makes it affordable for anyone. The restaurant also offers a 10% discount for all Stan State staff, faculty and students. 

Ju Ju Thai Cuisine

Ju Ju Thai Cuisine offers an extensive Thai menu as well as vegan and pho options. The owner, Judy Vongsaly, says that the restaurant is currently offering take-out at this time and some limited outdoor seating.

In regards to COVID safety guidelines, Vongsaly says, “All staff is required to wear a mask. In addition to cleaning areas with our disinfectant spray throughout the day and when customers leave, customers are to wait by the door where we have a set-up of tables. We leave the customers’ food there with no contact to our customers, we have a screen that protects the customers and staff.”

Since opening in 2014, Ju Ju Thai Cuisine only just recently raised their prices. The entrees vary in pricing but are usually around $15, and some dishes on the menu are $8.95.
 “Juju house fried rice is yummy,” Vongsaly recommends, “pad Thai, basil fried rice and our house noodles!  I can go on and on.”

Vongsaly says that employees enjoy working at Ju Ju Thai Cuisine because the staff feels like family, and they treat their customers like family as well.

Bistro 234

Bistro 234 Restaurant and Bar has an extensive menu and is currently offering patio dining, take-out, and curbside pick-up.

General Manager Shawn Auche says, “We are practicing physical distancing, our servers wear face coverings at all times, and we have hand sanitizer stations for our guests.”  Auche continues, “When diners are safe and healthy, so are we. The measures we take to ensure dining and carryout experiences are as worry-free as possible for diners – including stringent cleaning practices, limited seating, and extra sanitation – protect our amazing staff too.”

Wait times tend to be unpredictable but Auche says that during lunchtime they try to get all orders out within 15 to 20 minutes.

The average meal costs about $20, with some dishes as low as $10.

Auche says, “We encourage diners to join us al fresco on our charming patio. They can enjoy the same careful service and classically inspired fare that has made us a Turlock favorite for decades.  We’re also eager to turn takeout into an extension of our fine dining experience. We’ll send diners home with the same refined dishes they’ve come to love, all carefully packaged and ready to be enjoyed at their own table. We’d suggest choosing an offering from our freshly prepared to-go menu and complementing it with a bottle from our curated wine list too!”

Pick-up orders are encouraged over food delivery because there are high markups for delivery services — up to 40 percent according to Auche.

First & Main

Run by the same owners as Bistro 234, First & Main is currently offering patio dining, take-out, and curbside pick-up, just like its counterpart.  The COVID safety guidelines being followed are the same as at Bistro 234 as well.

Front of House Manager Brida Beltrami says, “For Thursday-Sunday dinner service we highly recommend making reservations. We usually have a wait for 30-45 minutes normally during those times.”

Their menu’s average meal cost is about $15.

Beltrami says, “We’ve moved our table service outside to our gorgeous wrap-around patio so diners can indulge in their favorite dishes safely. Plus, we’re thrilled to offer a completely new experience — dining on Main Street. Thursday through Saturday, Downtown Turlock Street Vibe transforms Turlock’s historic Main Street into an al fresco restaurant event and we’re taking part.  We’re offering our freshly prepared to-go menu, bottles of wine, and cocktails to go. Diners only need to call ahead and we’ll prepare their orders for quick and easy pickup in the restaurant or curbside.”

The owners of First & Main and Bistro 234 clearly care about their customers and staff. They said that “all of these precautions keep our incredible staff safe as well, and we appreciate the community for doing their part to protect the First & Main team.”

Café Rome

Café Rome is a blissful coffee shop on Main Street that also offers pastries and crepes — both sweet and savory.

Owner Erika Neal shares that “We offer outdoor seating in our nice patio with views of downtown Turlock and our local neighbor shops.”  Pick-ups are also available but not delivery.

The service is very prompt at Café Rome with the average wait time being a measly 3-4 minutes for drinks and about 4-5 for crepes.

Neal says the café’s COVID guidelines include six feet of distance in the patio seating area, marked lines to space out the customers waiting for orders inside, hand sanitizer in various stations for customers, and regular sanitation of all areas including outside seating after customer use.  All staff are also wearing masks and gloves.

With drinks are about $3-$4 and the crepes are $7, Neal says, “We have comparable prices to similar coffee shops and creperies, but have tried to really stand out with building a homey experience when you come in.  We have unique lattes that previous employers have introduced our clients to. Our world coffees bring a diverse coffee experience and give you a little taste of Mexico, South America, Turkey and more. We love embracing diversity and think it’s neat how we are able to embrace it through our menu.”

Until circumstances change, it is a relief to know of the eateries still available for Turlock residents and the surrounding area.  Quarantine does not have to mean you lose the luxury of eating food that you didn’t have to cook! These restaurants, and others like them, are ready and waiting to serve their specialties.