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    Hot Rod Diner

    3.3 (201 reviews)
    ModerateDiners
    Open 6:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Hot Rod Diner Photos

    Business Info

    HOT ROD DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Hot Rod Diner

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    Reviews With Photos

    Love me tender
    Alyssa S.

    The ambiance is that of a classic American diner. You seat yourself and the server takes your order. We ordered a cup of coffee (3/5), a love me tender with hash browns and a biscuit (4/5) and the special, chilaquiles with chicken and over easy eggs (5/5). The food was great and good portion sizes! They took our order, served us promptly, and were always ready to refill my coffee. The price is just right. We'll be back.

    3 cheese omelette
    Colten G.

    Food was very good, service was fast. I definitely recommend getting the eggs Benedict. Ham was very thick and hollandaise sauce was thick . Not sure why the eggs Benedict isn't on the menu but if you ask , most likely they will serve it. Diner is very clean, quiet environment. Lots of family's together and also coworkers on lunch break. Price was reasonable, normal for what you expect now days . Thank you for the good experience hot rod

    Bonanza burger
    Adrienne N.

    Ordered the bonanza burger... Loved the burger minus the lettuce. It was too wilted from the patty. The young man that greeted us was very friendly, the waitress could have been friendlier. It was the busiest I've ever seen, but it was precious seen elderly friends enjoying a meal wearing their old Leatherman jackets. Perhaps it was a high school reunion, whatever it was... It was a joy to see them smiling and enjoy there meals together. Overall, it is always a go to for my family... If we want a delicious meal.

    Inspection report

    I would not eat here!! There is an inspection report that found rodent droppings and employees not using proper hand hygiene.

    Chicken fried steak

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    6 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

    The food is great here. It's a reasonable price and the waitresses are very attentive.

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    4 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Amazing service and food. The turkey sand which and potato soup are my absolute favorite!

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    5 years ago

    They tried to charge me 8 dollars for potato that came with the meal make sure you check your bill

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Food is bland. I added so much extra pepper and salt and nothing helped. Just go to Ihop.

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Always delicious no matter the time of day we come! Breakfast, lunch, or dinner! You have to try the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich! AMAZING!!

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    Page 3 of 6

    Ask the Community - Hot Rod Diner

    Review Highlights - Hot Rod Diner

    This used to be a legendary bar in Modesto, not so much anymore, but the food and restaurant are still amazing, FAST and delicious.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Sam's Cafe

    Sam's Cafe

    4.2
    (217 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $

    This is a gem of a breakfast spot, and we are so glad we found it on a recent trip thru the Central…read moreValley. The hospitality, service and food are all top notch. The country fried steak is amazing as are the biscuits. We recommend this place highly and can't wait to return. Well done Sam's Cafe!

    Today I had the immense pleasure of trying Sam's Cafe in Ceres for the first time. Why didn't…read moreanyone tell me about this place before? I decided to take a friend out for a Christmas lunch. She has had some serious health issues and we used to play in a couple of bands back in the day (last millennium) and always are in need to swap stories. We arrived at Sam's, found parking right outside, and entered. We were immediately seated and our drink order taken. We got coffee for her and my iced tea quite soon thereafter. I noticed that the place was both clean inside and out, a well as busy, and the staff was on keeping it so while we were there. I ordered a bowl of chili (which wasn't on the menu that I could see) just to test them a bit, and asked for the added onions be grilled and then cheese on top of that. They totally nailed it and the chili was delicious. My fellow diner was impressed with her omelette, and remarked a couple of times on the high quality of the coffee (which was refreshed often while we were there). I have to admit to a bias toward these small, mom and pop places as I like the great quality and service I find consistently at them. I highly recommend Sam's and plan to visit the next time I am in the area.

    Photos
    And the inside.
    And the inside.
    Chili Cheese Omelette with country potatoes
    Chili Cheese Omelette with country potatoes
    Sam's from the outside.

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    Sam's from the outside.
    Lucille

    Lucille

    4.8
    (340 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    I live in San Francisco, but I'm from the Central Valley, so I pass by Modesto every few months…read morewhen visiting my family. My friend from Modesto told me about this spot, and I immediately wanted to try it. I actually planned my drive around this pit stop, which was just a short detour off the 99. I ordered a biscuit with fried eggs and dear Lord, that biscuit was amazing, and so was the jam! The fried eggs were cooked perfectly and especially delicious with the hot sauces they had to offer. My brother got an egg sandwich on a brioche bun and he still can't stop talking about how good it was. He was particularly impressed with the brioche bun. We also got the blueberry french toast to go, which I didn't anticipate traveling very well, but it did and holy shit, it was fan-freaking-tastic when I ate it that evening. I can't even fathom how incredible it must be if eaten fresh. This place was so cute inside and clearly had an intentional aesthetic direction. There was a cute outdoor seating area in the front where I could have my dog with me, which is a huge plus. The service was top-notch and the food was ready lickety-split. The staff were very friendly, helpful, and attentive. I HIGHLY recommend this spot!!!

    ***Update*** Since I work as an Uber driver (one who…read moreattended culinary school) I always find myself eating in unfamiliar locales. Modesto is NOT close to home for me. After discovering Lucille several years ago, I will now willingly take rides far from home, although the fares sometimes dry up in the Central Valley. I have been to Lucille twice by myself. I brought my Godmother once. I recommend Lucille to everyone who I drive when they tell me that they live in or near Modesto. Today I brought my boyfriend and my dog, who lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It was Saturday, super crowded and my dog was being super reactive with another dog across the way. It was super embarrassing and, although I am sure that it stressed out the staff, they were calm, kind and attentive. I was stressed and shrill, my dog was being a grade-A A-hole. I'm sorry Lucille! The beet salad at this place features fresh mint and I always get it. The chocolate cookie with flaky malden salt is very yummy. Their house coffee is very high quality and doesn't taste gross and burned. I didn't love my soup today. The bar was set pretty high with the carrot soup I had another time. Honestly, it was a small detail and this place is so much better than 90% of restaurants. They sent me another chocolate cookie. That was never necessary. I love you Lucille! Thanks for the extra care and the extra cookie! You really deserve a larger building because you are awesome!

    Photos
    Seating
    Seating
    Benny on a bun
    Benny on a bun
    A La cart items: 2 eggs, 2 pieces bacon, side of avocado

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    A La cart items: 2 eggs, 2 pieces bacon, side of avocado
    Velvet Grill & Creamery

    Velvet Grill & Creamery

    3.8
    (432 reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $$

    My boyfriend took me to eat at the Velvet Creamery for breakfast after a doctors appointment we…read morewere in town for. I had never been here before but he remembered eating here as a kid with his family and always talked about it. The parking lot was packed and there were ALOT of people inside as well as a few large parties, but we were greeted and seated as soon as we entered. Someone came over and took our drink orders while we looked at the menu, though the restaurant was busy it wasn't too loud, and we could easily have a conversation. My boyfriend ordered the Croissant Breakfast Sandwich with Hashbrowns & I ordered the Breakfast Combo #3 - their famous "baked here" French Toast, two eggs & choice of breakfast meat. I am extremely picky when it comes to French Toast, but this was really good, fluffy but crisp edges and a great flavor. Their portions were large, with very reasonable prices. They had a counter front ice cream bar that we did not partake in, however we may do so on our next trip. We will be back in the future.

    Shout out to Talya for 5 star customer service! She was so sweet and helpful! My meal today was a…read morecombo #5 with a side of soup up first. I ordered a salted caramel banana shake too. Soooo yummy! There was a short wait. I was quoted 10 minutes, but it was a lot less! In fact, I was surprised to be seated so quickly dispite how busy they were. Ambiance was somewhat loud and busy. However, it was nice to see everyone enjoying themselves on a late Sunday morning/early afternoon.

    Photos
    Velvet Grill & Creamery
    Weekday Power Low Carb Special #3
    Weekday Power Low Carb Special #3
    American food diner has feel of ole times staff seems friendly food smells good

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    American food diner has feel of ole times staff seems friendly food smells good

    Hot Rod Diner - diners - Updated July 2026

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