16 Best Restaurants in Manteca, CA

Cores Grace Malaay

Nov 2, 2022 • 10 min read

Sergii Liashyk / shutterstock.com

Manteca is a city in San Joaquin County, California.

As the "Family City," Manteca sits on major highways and railroads with flourishing businesses and popular tourist spots.

Joshua Cowell founded the area in 1861, claiming about 1,000 acres to build houses.

It was incorporated as a city in 1918, and Cowell became its first mayor.

Locals at that time agreed to name the community Monteca.

However, it got misprinted as Manteca, a Spanish term for butter or lard.

Manteca is among the finest cities that offer incredible tourist attractions.

It also has a rich agricultural heritage, making it an excellent destination for families.

Likewise, it's one of the cities in the Golden State with the best casual and fine dining restaurants.

Are you hungry?

Here are the best restaurants in Manteca, California.

Black Bear Diner Manteca

Comfort food isn't hard to find in Manteca, especially with Black Bear Diner Manteca.

The award-winning diner on East Yosemite Avenue offers one of the best breakfasts ranging from delicious Big Foot chicken fried steak & eggs, the Volcano, vegetarian omelet, and more.

Also, their taco salad, biscuits & gravy, cream pies, and freshly squeezed orange juice are all crowd-pleasers.

They serve generous portions, which are great for those with a bear's appetite.

They also have coffee, tea, lemonade, soft drinks, milk, and hot chocolate.

Thanks to its woodsy and warm atmosphere, the diner can keep up with feeding your inner bear.

Established in 1995, the Black Bear Diner Manteca has received many different awards.

Sizzler - Manteca

Enjoy USDA choice steaks, fresh seafood, burgers, soups, and an incredibly engaging craft salad bar at Sizzler - Manteca.

The restaurant is famous for its chicken wings, hand-cut steaks, grilled shrimp & lobster, spaghetti & meatballs, and many more options.

All these are served in a well-lighted and warm spot with a few TV screens for guests to watch the big game.

In 1958, Del and Helen Johnson founded Sizzler with little money and a passion for serving the community with great food.

You can find Sizzler - Manteca on Daniels Street.

El Jardín

Are you craving Mexican fare?

Traditional Mexican food is El Jardín's specialty.

Try the terrific shrimp options like shrimp on garlic butter sauce, Camarones dishes, chile Colorado, and a lot more.

You should also try their other specialties, including enchiladas a la Parilla, milanesa, steak a la Mexicana, and tres favoritos.

However, the crowd-favorite shrimp cocktail is to die for!

It comprises shrimp mixed with spicy red salsa, avocado, cucumbers, and pico de gallo and topped with lime to give an extra kick.

They also serve traditional Mexican fare.

You have to visit them at South Main Street.

El Jardín was established in 1985.

Pete's Restaurant & Brewhouse

You should visit Pete's Restaurant & Brewhouse if you want American comfort food in Manteca.

The restaurant offers delicious award-winning New York-style pizza made with fresh dough and its famous housemade red sauce.

You can also build your pizza, which is excellent for vegetarians.

Their appetizers are also unbeatable, especially Pete's Basket, spicy & sweet grilled wings, Thai-style shrimp, and more.

They also have an incredible selection of local craft beer, including Pete's Golden Stallion, Pete's Red Hound, Pete's Night Rider, and Pete's Half-Time.

Enjoy your food in a warm, upbeat atmosphere with TV screens to catch the big game.

Founded in 1987, Pete's Restaurant & Brewhouse is on Lifestyle Street.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews

It's always a good time for gourmet burgers at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews.

Try their delicious scorpion gourmet burger, tavern burger, and guacamole bacon burger.

Likewise, order their mouth-watering Bone-In Bar Wings and Salads.

Their milkshakes and desserts are famous among guests, so don't miss them.

Their broad menu is also something to write home about.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews was founded in 1969.

You can find it on Lifestyle Street.

MasaLatina

Manteca features different cuisines, including Latin American fare, which MasaLatina serves.

Who doesn't want delicious Latin American food for lunch or dinner?

The restaurant is known for its incredible arepas, pupusas, empanadas, and San Antonio-style puffy tacos.

Enjoy your food in a family-friendly atmosphere.

They also offer Papas Locas, salads, desserts, and specialty drinks to pair with your mouth-watering Latin American treats.

Established in 2018, Masalatina aims to provide no-nonsense comfort food made from scratch.

It's on West Yosemite Avenue.

Mama Weber's | Southern Kitchen & BBQ

Mouth-watering Southern-style soul food is what Mama Weber's | Southern Kitchen & BBQ does best.

Everything they offer, from their delectable slow-cooked smoked barbecues, wings & waffles to fish & shrimp, hits the spot.

Their collard greens, candied yams, mac & cheese, and red beans & rice are award-winning Southern sides.

So, don't miss trying them too.

Mama Weber's | Southern Kitchen & BBQ was founded in 2013 in Stockton, California.

Its Manteca location is on South Mellon Avenue.

The Cajun Spot

All roads for seafood lovers lead to the Cajun Spot on West Louise Avenue, Manteca.

If you've had meat in the past few days, this spot offers a change of pace with its delightful and authentic Cajun seafood.

Their delicious Dungeness crab, crawfish, mussels, shrimp, and clams are popular among locals and tourists.

Also, the gumbo fries are the bomb, so you should try them too.

The Cajun Spot opened its doors in 2016.

Johnny's

Johnny's is a hot spot for classic American fare, serving breakfast daily.

Served family-style and in a welcoming atmosphere, their famous homemade chicken fried steak, Portuguese plate, and huevos rancheros will fill you up.

This restaurant is a crowd-pleaser because it also offers specials for seniors and kids, making it a family-friendly spot.

They have a wide menu selection, which gives you enough choices for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Get a treat at this homey spot and go home with a full stomach!

You can find Johnny's on East Yosemite Avenue.

Mangy Moose Cafe

Another hole-in-the-wall offering delicious breakfast and brunch is Mangy Moose Cafe on East Yosemite Avenue.

As soon as you pull up, you'll smell their enticing omelets, such as Moose and Swiss.

Their crispy hash browns, biscuit, and housemade salsa have also gained the Mangy Moose Cafe a massive following.

Likewise, they offer huge portions; one order may feed two to three people, which is ideal for those in groups.

Mangy Moose Cafe opened in an old-school-style dining setup.

It has raised the bar in the food industry in Manteca.

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar

In the friendly neighborhood of Manteca sits one of the most popular restaurants in the United States, Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar.

The restaurant provides casual dining with traditional American cuisine, ranging from boneless wings, steaks, house salads, and its signature dish, riblets.

If you're up for tasty seafood, try their blackened Cajun shrimp alfredo and Bourbon chicken & shrimp, which all taste like heaven.

They also have local drafts and classic drinks to pair with your hearty American treat, including their customizable house cocktails, Dracula's juice, beer, and wine.

They have a vast selection of the most famous American dishes.

In 1980, Bill and T. J. Palmer established Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar.

Today, it has more than 1,700 locations nationwide.

You can find their Manteca location on East Yosemite Avenue.

Las Casuelas

Traditional Mexican home decor adorns the family-friendly Las Casuelas, offering authentic Mexican fare.

Walking through their door, you'll see warm smiles from the friendly servers and the smell of Mexico.

The restaurant is known for its molcajete, tampiqueña, enchilada, and many traditional Mexican dishes like fajitas, tacos, quesadillas, and more.

If you're aiming for a beach-ready figure, you can try their low-carb dishes such as nopalitos, chef's Wrap, Pollo con queso, and Mex-tacos, among others.

Don't miss their warm bean dip because it's famous.

It's also home to original micheladas, perfect to cap the night!

In 2005, Guillermo and Ana Ramirez started Las Casuelas.

They wanted to create home-cooked meals in a home-style environment.

You can find its Manteca location on West Yosemite Avenue.

Ernie's Food & Spirits

Ernie's Food & Spirits offers incredibly delicious steaks, chops, salads, seafood, desserts, and soups.

Whether you're going solo, with a partner, or group, this hidden gem is the right spot to share a sumptuous dinner.

It's famous for its French onion Soup, grilled Angus beef ribeye, pan-roasted filet mignon, risotto, crab cake, and many other delightful dishes.

They also have an excellent selection of spirits and other specialty non-alcoholic beverages.

Everything at the restaurant is delicious to ensure each guest keeps coming back.

Ernie's Food & Spirits sources its ingredients locally to ensure the highest quality craft items.

Visit them at North Main Street.

Chick-fil-A

Home to the classic chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A has become a household name.

Their specialty sandwich has earned them a considerable following.

Its spicy, deluxe, grilled, chicken club and classic chicken sandwiches are must-try versions of the meal.

Other specialties and favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner also make huge waves among the restaurant's guests, locals, and tourists.

Their famous spicy Southwest salad, milkshakes, and chicken tortilla soup are all crowd-pleasers.

Don't worry about the kids because they can also have chicken nuggets and chick-n-strips.

They also have something for those with food restrictions, such as vegans, vegetarians, and Keto followers.

Philanthropist and entrepreneur S. Truett Cathy founded Chick-fil-A in 1946 with locations in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.

You can find it on East Yosemite Avenue in Manteca.

Frank's Downtown Café

Another gem in Manteca is Frank's Downtown Café, which serves old-school Southern-style food that hits the spot.

They have their version of country fried steak, Sunrise sandwich, enchilada omelet, Big Breakfast burrito, veggie burger, and Frank's chicken salad.

This beautiful small spot provides an inviting atmosphere perfect for family breakfast or lunch.

Bring your partner or entire family, or come solo and experience one of Manteca's top-rated restaurants.

Frank Carrera established Frank's Downtown Café in 2017.

Visit them at North Maple Avenue.

Chubby's Diner

Authentic home-style cooking for breakfast and lunch isn't hard to find in Manteca because of Chubby's Diner.

The diner features a 50s aesthetic; it plays 50s and 60s music, making you feel like you've returned to the era of Elvis.

Yes, their music is killer too!

They're known for their version of Southern-style chicken fried steak, eggs benedict, tres leches pancake, and other breakfast specialties for the entire family.

They usually get busy on weekends, so you may have to adjust your time when you go.

Also, try their terrific country potatoes.

Chubby's Diner opened its doors in 1993 and has served the valley with unmatched home-style cooking.

It's on West Louise Avenue.

Final Thoughts

The city of Manteca isn't only the Family City but also home to many flourishing restaurants that offer various cuisines and styles.

If it's your first time visiting this beautiful city in the valley, these restaurants are worth your time and budget.

Treat yourself and your family to the best restaurants in Manteca, California!

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