Looking for a must-eat at place in Fresno, CA, doesn't have to be fancy just has to be good. Type of cuisine doesn't matter. Close to the airport is also good but not necessary. Thanks in advace.

There's a couple of Basque restaurants I used to go to as a kid when we stopped in Frenso on family vacations. I'd have to ask my father what the name of the place was. You can check out this googlelink for some places in Fresno. I can't vouch for all of them but we probably went to at least one of them and it was pretty good.

There are at least 2 In-N-Out Burger's in Fresno. I recommend all 3.

Seriously - it's too bad gfleenor isn't around anymore. He used to live there. Maybe if you run a search, you might come up with some stuff.

Trust me that In-and-Out will be on my to-do list when I'm out there...it always is Just looking for something more I guess...

Why are these Basque restaurants so special? I've tried looking them up but can't really find why...

The two Basque places in Fresno are the Basque Hotel, and Santa Fe Basque Restaurant and Bar. These might be pretty interesting. But you should not expect to find Haut Cuisine in Fresno. Personally, I would be happy to find something other than Pizza and Burgers. The Basque places should be good, because Fresno (like Northern and Western Nevada) is Basque country. It is like having Chinese food in Chinatown.

This reminds me of my traveling and consulting career. When I got to a new (and small) place, I'd look in the phone book to see what percentage of the restaurant listings were for pizzza places. Over 25%, and I knew I was in trouble.

I thought the only "must" in Fresno was "leave."

I'm only spending one night here and the only reason is because I have to fly out from here. You guys are really worrying me with all of these "leave Fresno" comments. Do I need to bring along some mace?

Mace? No.

It's just no exactly a culinary destination. They have an airport there??

No nothing about the place other than the fact that I've purchased wine from the Grap Tray. Just an FYI.....

The Grape Tray Wine Tasting and Dinner
Parma Ristorante
Wednesday, April 19th 6:30 PM
First Course
Baby spinach salad with shaved fresh fennel, pinenuts, sweet red onion,
fresh ripe pears topped with aged gorgonzola and red wine vinaigrette.
Swiss chard and onion quiche served with cream of parmesan cheese
‘05 Etude Pinot Gris
Second Course
Smoked breast of duck served with strawberry risotto and
grilled pears, peaches and apples
‘03 Etude Carneros Pinot
‘03 Etude Heirloom Pinot
Main Course
Filet Mignon wrapped with Parma ham and presented in a puff pastry
which is baked until golden brown . Served with spinach and
scallop potatoes
‘02 Etude St. Helena Cabernet
‘02 Etude Rutherford Cabernet
Final Course
Chocolate Mousse served with torta brisolona
$99/person
Parma Ristorante * 7089 N. Marks Avenue

Fat Burger. It's more towards Clovis, but Fat Burger used to be yummy. Have to say I laughed when I saw this thread...

This is someone from New Jersey making fun of California????

echo is the best fresno has to offer. since they moved out of the tower district, i have not been there, but it was probably the best business decision they could have made. as their website mentions, they use local produce & tailor their menu around what fresh ingredients are available at the time. believe it or not, this restaurant had one of the most impressive write-ups i have ever read ingourmet magazine a few years back.

for a really good steak & the best winelist in town along with some great & interesting ambience, the elbow room bar & grill would be the place to go.

i still have a soft spot for tahoe joe's on herndon, but that's just because that's where i found katy. since they were bought out by buffets international, their quality has suffered, but you can find them all over california now

since i haven't spent much time there in a while, there may have been some quality additions, but i doubt it. folks in fresno will line up & wait for an hour to get into the macaroni grill & they would not drive downtown to dine at echo.

No hello kiss?

How the hell are you Gus? I guess you got my email and didn't just happen in

Welcome back. Pull up a stool and stay awhile

Ditto. Definitely have to look up Echo. Gus, I agree with your comment. A restaurant serving great food would go unnoticed in Fresno, sad to say. I still go to Fresno about 6 times a year and we always eat at Edo-Ya for dinner and Dennys for breakfast. That's what my Dad likes so that's the routine. Edo-Ya is the best Japanese restaurant there (slightly better than Yoshino's). I've also eaten at George's (Armenian) and that wasn't bad. Of course, I have fond memories of Imperial Dynasty in Hanford but that was in my high school dating days. I also remember eating at the Basque Hotel, but that was also long long time ago. Lots of decent food and they bring out a doggie bag with the last dish (fried chicken). I'm amazed that it is still there after all of these years.

yes, echo closed. they served their last meal on sat22apr06. since i go to fresno at least a half-dozen times a year as well, it dissapoints me; but, having lived there for the better part of six years, it does not surprise me.

oh well, at least you can still get a prime beef steak & a nice bottle of wine at the elbow room.

gatc, i have dined at both edo-ya & yoshino's & would agree that the former is a bit better; however, i have a nephew whose favorite restaurant is yoshino's, so we usually go there for japanese. the kids (& i now have four of them) just love those onion volcanos.

davidn, i did get your e-mail with the convenient link to this thread. i think i will try to check in a couple of times a week at least.

Nothing wrong with Yoshino's. Actually, it is probably a better value since you don't have to get a ton of food. We probably end up at Edo-Ya mainly because we can get reservations for 8-10 (I like to treat my relatives when we are down there).

Too bad about Echo. Would have enjoyed a fine restaurant in Fresno.