by Lorie Lewis Ham
You will find coupons for Valentino’s Italian Restaurant & The Reedley Sandwich Shop at the end of this article.
I have lived in Reedley my entire life and seen restaurants, drive-ins, and fast food places come and go, but there are those that have had tremendous staying power for good reasons. I decided it would be fun to share some of my thoughts on why these places have stayed while others have come and gone.
Valentino’s Italian Restaurant:
I remember when Valentino’s was over on Manning Avenue in their old building. You walked through the door and it felt very homey and family friendly with picnic tables and checkered tablecloths, and the entire place smelled like Italian heaven. Their pizza was some of the best pizza I have ever had, and their own special Ranch dressing was the best Ranch dressing I have ever tasted. And their spaghetti…yum.
Several years ago they moved into the downtown area and the place has a little more of an upscale feel to it, and their prices are a bit higher. However, the thing that I believe has kept them around is what they started with and have never changed–awesome Italian food! And it still smells like Italian heaven. It’s making me hungry just thinking about it! Anyone for spaghetti?
Check out one of KRL’s younger writer’s review of Valentino’s and get some great recipes from their chef and owner Chef Martin Barcellos https://kingsriverlife.com/06/30/summer-chefs-kitchen-valentinos-italian-restaurant/
Location: 1043 G Street
Main Street Cafe:
Practically right across the street from Valentino’s is Main Street Cafe, which has also been around for as long as I can remember. Besides offering old-fashioned diner food and atmosphere, what I believe makes them unique are their special German foods that they offer–German Sausage, Verenika and hand made Zweiback rolls. I LOVE Zweiback and will go in there and just purchase a bag and take it home, and I have been doing that for ages. While my own German grandmother taught me how to make it–who has time these days. And one of the things my brother loves when he comes back into town is the Verenika. Main Street is also the place in town many farmers, and others, go for an old-fashioned breakfast.
Main Street Cafe
While I know the Friends have only owned the restaurant since the early 90s, they are really the only owners I know, and another thing that makes Main Street special is them. They get to know their customers and treat them like family. Why Angie is even a fan of my mystery novels so you can’t beat that for service!
Learn a little more about the history of the building they are in, in this Reedley history article from Jim Bulls.
Location: 1052 G Street
Uncle Harry’s Classic Meals:
Now if you are looking for something else unique, you have to stop by Uncle Harry’s, owned by Harry Horasanian. Also, there for as long as I can remember, Uncle Harry’s offers Armenian cuisine. They too are located on G Street in downtown Reedley, but they are further south than Valentino’s and Main Street. This is a must stop for both of my brothers when they come back to town–one lives on the coast, the other in England. Their tri tip is heaven, and my brother Christopher also enjoys their turkey kabob sandwich. My mom often gets their spaghetti, which is different from Valentino’s but still very good. They also have a great special house salad. I honestly am not sure what is in it (this one is oil/vinegar based instead of Ranch) but it is wonderful.
As a testament to how great the food is, the place is almost always packed. You can also find Harry sitting at one of the tables or walking around, most every day, and he is an interesting character who is happy to share with you some history of Reedley.
Learn a little more about the history of the building they are in, in this Reedley history article from Jim Bulls.
Location: 1201 G Street (559) 638-5170
Foster’s Freeze:
Veering off the main street down 11th Street for a couple blocks, you will find Foster Freeze Drive In, which I remember going to as a small child so I know it’s been here a long time. I think it may have changed owners through the years, but the food has remained pretty much the same. Now while this is a California chain, I can attest that they do vary from location to location as to what they offer.
As a child, this was one of my dad’s favorite places to go for take-out and we would go there often and get him a hotdog with pickles, and a big vanilla soft serve ice cream cone. Their shakes have always been a special treat as well and they have great fries.
With my own children, we have started going there again a lot over the past couple of years because they have a great combo with a price you just can’t beat–which is even more important in the current economy. $3.50 gets you their classic burger which is fairly good sized, fries and a soda. And they are so much better than your typical fast food fare.
Location: 1460 11th Street
So if you are driving through Reedley or if you’ve lived in Reedley awhile but haven’t done much eating out–check out these four mainstays of Reedley dining that have something for everyone! And if none of these strikes your fancy, there are a multitude of Mexican restaurants, a great Sandwich Shop (McCahill’s Reedley Sandwich Shop-also on G Street, near Uncle Harry’s), Chinese food, pizza, and of course fast food.
Print this coupon and take to the Reedley Sandwich Shop:
Check out Valentino’s specials listed on their Facebook page. Check out this special coupon for KRL’s readers!
Maybe I’ll visit these places some time!!! How are the hotels in the area? If I remember right, one of your local historical articles was about a renovated place in town!!