[Melanievcb]

I guess you can say that I grew up in a restaurant, not cooking but eating. My parents started my brother and I at McDonald's (no one can beat the Happy meals with toys) then it was Sizzlers for special occasions. As a teen, my friends and I would go to different restaurants. We'd each order a different entree and share. When I married my DH, our usual dates entailed exploring a place we'd never been to and trying one of the restaurants in that area. When my husband became a minister our budget shrank significantly but that didn't deter us. Using coupons and other money saving strategies, we still go out to restaurants for our dates. Soooooo....now that I've introduced myself, I thought I'd start this thread to talk about restaurants I've tried and ways to save while eating out.

TYPE OF RESTAURANT: BBQ joint

NAME OF RESTAURANT: Doc's Q'in Pit Stop LINK

MENU ITEMS RECOMMENDED:Tri tip is flavorful and ribs are so tender they fall off the bone. Shoestring fries are crispy and large drinks are HUGE and you get free refills.

STAFF & SERVICE: Friendly, they treat you like one of the family. Food comes out quick.

AMBIANCE & DECOR: Don't go if this is what you're looking for. They are serious when it comes to bbqing because they have a HUGE portable smoker out front (the kind you can tow behind a car). This is a place where you roll up your sleeves and get down to some serious eating. No frou frou decor but the bathroom is clean. You do however need to go during the day since it's not in the best neighborhoods.

$ SAVING TIPS:

• Used a $25 restaurant.com certificate that I bought for $5.
• Dealsaver.com also had a deal - spend $10 for (2) $10 vouchers.
• They have sandwiches ranging from $6-$8
• You can also order a combo plate and split it with someone (range $16 - $28)-All Meals include two side orders: Greens, Cole Slaw, Blackeye Peas, Yams, BBQ Beans, Red Beans & Rice, Macaroni & Cheese, & Potato Salad...that's ALOT of food!

Would love to hear from the rest of you on how you save money eating out and your foodie adventures. Bon appetit

[Melanievcb]

Oops

[katieculpepper]

Thats pretty cool! I was just reading figuring it sounded like a restaurant from the south and figured maybe my DH had heard of it because he is from GA, then while looking at the pic I see the 209 area code and I thought, "hey, I'm in the 209 area code" LOL WooHoo Modesto!!!

[Melanievcb]

Originally Posted by katieculpepper

Thats pretty cool! I was just reading figuring it sounded like a restaurant from the south and figured maybe my DH had heard of it because he is from GA, then while looking at the pic I see the 209 area code and I thought, "hey, I'm in the 209 area code" LOL WooHoo Modesto!!!

Yay! My DH loves bbq. Oh, I forgot to mention that they have a "Hella hot" bbq sauce if you are into that

So Katie, what local restaurants would you recommend (it doesn't have to be bbq)?

[katieculpepper]

"hella" no on the hot sauce!!! I think the mild stuff at Del Taco is too spicy!!!, My two year old on the other hand, laps it up. He's like 'More spicy, more Spicy" LOL
Papapavlo's on standiford is good, very popular. Its like a Greek restaurant. There are always restaurant. com deals for it too, but they sell out earlier in the month since its such a popular restaurant. Fav Mexican place in Modesto is La Morinita on Sylvan and Coffee. They make a good strong Margarita!!! ( and yummy bean dip)
My family is big on the old standbys... like Olive Garden and Red Lobster, boring I know... but ya gotta love the bread!
My kids think the best restaurant in the world is Golden Corral, but that place flows chocolate, so they know they have kids addicted!!! LOL We only go there when its kids choice!!!

[kstover0426]

Originally Posted by katieculpepper

Thats pretty cool! I was just reading figuring it sounded like a restaurant from the south and figured maybe my DH had heard of it because he is from GA, then while looking at the pic I see the 209 area code and I thought, "hey, I'm in the 209 area code" LOL WooHoo Modesto!!!

My hubby grew up in Modesto, moved when he joined the Army, all my inlaws still live there! I will have to find out if they have every been here!

[Melanievcb]

Originally Posted by katieculpepper

"hella" no on the hot sauce!!! I think the mild stuff at Del Taco is too spicy!!!, My two year old on the other hand, laps it up. He's like 'More spicy, more Spicy" LOL
Papapavlo's on standiford is good, very popular. Its like a Greek restaurant. There are always restaurant. com deals for it too, but they sell out earlier in the month since its such a popular restaurant. Fav Mexican place in Modesto is La Morinita on Sylvan and Coffee. They make a good strong Margarita!!! ( and yummy bean dip)
My family is big on the old standbys... like Olive Garden and Red Lobster, boring I know... but ya gotta love the bread!
My kids think the best restaurant in the world is Golden Corral, but that place flows chocolate, so they know they have kids addicted!!! LOL We only go there when its kids choice!!!

Thanks for the recommendations Katie, it always turns out better when someone recommends a restaurant. Have you been to Bella Italia 2625 Coffee Rd, Modesto? Good food with wonderful ambiance. We love Golden Corral (all you can eat steak for $10 can't be beat) but can't eat there a lot otherwise we would be overweight with high blood pressure and clogged arteries.

Originally Posted by kstover0426

My hubby grew up in Modesto, moved when he joined the Army, all my inlaws still live there! I will have to find out if they have every been here!

Make sure to tell them to go during the day and never at night (see OP). See if your DH or in-laws have any recommendations for other restaurants.

[kstover0426]

Make sure to tell them to go during the day and never at night (see OP). See if your DH or in-laws have any recommendations for other restaurants. [/quote]

I will for sure! I know when we visit I always have to go to a Taco Truck yummmmyyy!

[Melanievcb]

Originally Posted by kstover0426

I will for sure! I know when we visit I always have to go to a Taco Truck yummmmyyy!

Haven't really gotten into taco trucks, however, I did buy some cupcakes from a cupcake truck in Salinas.

[kstover0426]

Originally Posted by Melanievcb

Haven't really gotten into taco trucks, however, I did buy some cupcakes from a cupcake truck in Salinas.

I asked my hubby where is the taco truck we go to and he said the best one he thinks is the one that goes to Crows Landing and Carpenter?!?
Oh its soooo good, you really should give one a try!

[Melanievcb]

Originally Posted by kstover0426

I asked my hubby where is the taco truck we go to and he said the best one he thinks is the one that goes to Crows Landing and Carpenter?!?
Oh its soooo good, you really should give one a try!

I just might

[Melanievcb]

Wanted to add a couple places in Monterey County:

Henry's BBQ Monterey, Ca - Decent BBQ but what I was most impressed with was their House made Bread Pudding Topped with warm Whiskey sauce (and I'm not fond of bread pudding!). Very cozy house converted to a restaurant with a lovely patio garden where you can also be seated along with your pets.



Salinas City BBQ, Salinas, Ca - As you can see they have the monster smoker behind the restaurant so you're greeted with delicious smells while you're parking your car. It seems like a standard, if you see a HUGE portable smoker next to the restaurant (the kind you can tow behind a car) chances are the BBQ is good! Popular choices are the pulled pork, tri-tip and steak. You know a place is good when the waiters eat their regularly.