Frank’s Downtown Café has been a downtown Manteca fixture for over eight years.
Located at 182 N. Maple Ave., this cozy eatery with a welcoming atmosphere and attentive staff sits directly across from the post office along this one-way street (although plenty of parking can be found in the back and side lots).
The owner is Frank Carrera, who makes those who enter his place feel right at home.
Speaking of home, his menu offers breakfast choices ranging from a chorizo breakfast burrito, French toasts and the Downtown omelet. There are also Portuguese options and a coffee selection including a must-try for those java enthusiasts in the Mexican chocolate ice coffee.
On this day, I opted for lunch, which, in this case, was a flavorful bacon cheeseburger consisting of a one-third angus beef patty served up on a sesame seed bun with fresh condiments such as lettuce, tomatoes, and a red onion – also enjoyed the side order of crispy shoe-strip French fries.
Frank’s Downtown Café had the touch of a nice meeting place for working folks on their hour or so lunch break. I sat nearby on the row of side tables, looking up at the signage on the wall while occasionally perusing my cellphone on the day’s happenings prior to the meal.
By the way, the local eatery also has outdoor tables that can be comfortable on these cool fall days.
Frank’s Downtown Café is open seven days a week – 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
It’s here that patrons can “experience rich flavors, high-quality ingredients, and exceptional service,” according to the Frank’s Downtown Café website.
In addition, the menu features breakfast choices such as pancakes, waffles, and breakfast skillets, to name a few.
For lunch – besides hamburgers (classic, patty melt, mushroom, jalapeno, and California) – the tri-tip beef sandwich along with tuna melt, traditional club sandwich, and the California melt are among the choices.
Frank’s offers up salads, including a chef salad, Cobb salad, crispy chicken salad, and buffalo chicken salad.
As for starters, the Downtown Café has breaded zucchini, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, and chicken strips.
Of course, there’s a senior menu as well for those of us of a certain age.
For more information, call 209.647.4733.
