Sun-Star readers picked Merced County’s best food, drink spots. Here’s what to know
Merced Sun-Star readers voted on their favorite local spots across four categories, and downtown Merced dominated the results.
From a nearly 75-year-old doughnut shop to a pizza spot not yet a year old, the winners reflect a mix of tradition and new energy in the county.
Here are key takeaways:
- Lovers Deli won best pizza with 53% of 216 votes. The downtown Merced spot at 426 W. Main St. serves “grandma-style” sheet-pan pizza with roots in Long Island, New York, with cheese slices at $2.
- Rollen Donuts took best doughnuts with 39% of 268 votes. The shop at 2010 G St. opened in 1953, and its name came from a sign company misspelling original owner Roland Bowler’s name. Current owner Jason Kong took over in 2005.
- Joystiq was the runaway winner for best happy hour, with 57% of 76 votes. The 8,500-square-foot, two-floor spot at 325 W. Main St. features arcade games, bocce ball, darts and shuffleboard, with drink and food specials available open to close.
- Hola Cafecito edged out three competitors for best coffee shop, with 26% of the vote. Owned by Elizabeth Moreno and her husband, Oscar, the shop at 429 W. Main St. opened in March and specializes in Mexican-inspired drinks.
- Four of the five top vote-getters across all categories sit on or near West Main Street in downtown Merced.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full stories in the links were reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.
Jim Silva
The Modesto Bee