There’s little question what the main topic of the conversation breakfast and lunch crowd is today at Chubby’s Diner.

The restaurant in the shopping center on the northwest corner of Louise Avenue and Main Street is open for business today after a Prius smashed through a window, slammed into dining booths, and came to a stop 8 feet into the establishment at 3:08 p.m. on Wednesday.

Manteca Police indicated a woman — with her 6-month-old child as a passenger — drove her Toyota Prius into Chubby’s.

Prior to the collision, the car had been parked in a parking space in front of the business. Investigators believe the woman accidentally drove forward instead of reverse. 

The woman and her child were not injured.

The car suffered minimal damage while the restaurant had substantial damage, according to police. The restaurant was not open at the time.

The woman – who is in her 30s and a resident of Manteca – was not impaired. 

She only has a learner’s permit, but not an actual license. Police issued her a citation for being unlicensed driver at the scene and released. 

Workers from Cardoza Enterprises, owners of the shopping center, assessed the situation to make sure there wasn’t major structural damage. They then  helped clean up the debris and board the gap.

Chubby’s is open for business today.

The owners posted a note on the restaurant’s Facebook page thanking “loyal customers for taking your time with the out pouring of phone calls, reaching out to us & ready to help. Much appreciated!.  After thoroughly cleaning and securing the damaged areas we are open and ready to serve you! Be safe!”

 It is the second restaurant in the past 15 months to have a car drive into it.

In November of 2023, five people were hurt and four were sent to the hospital – one with major injuries – after a driver slammed into the side of Jack’s Pizza Café on Union Road.

The driver, identified only as a 34-year-old woman from Oakland, was driving a white Tesla Model Y at a high rate of speed.

Manteca Police believe the speed could have been as high as 100 miles per hour when they ran a red light, became airborne, lost control of the vehicle, jumped the curb, and slammed into the restaurant while patrons were eating inside.

There were two children inside of the Tesla as it careened through the building. Fortunately, they did not suffer any injuries.

Authorities determined that the woman was operating the vehicle while under the influence. They took the woman into custody on charges of DUI and felony child endangerment.

The extensive repairs needed meant Jack’s Pizza was closed for much of 2024.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com