What are Fresno’s 10 favorite restaurants?

It’s a tough question to answer, but we’re taking a stab at it with the help of Bee readers.

Topping the list is Pismo’s Coastal Grill.

While there’s no truly scientific way to measure this, we asked Bee readers who signed up for our weekly Food & Drink newsletter (back before coronavirus exploded in California) to name their favorite restaurant. More than 2,000 of them responded with a wide range of favorite places to eat.

We know you can’t have the traditional sit-down meal – at least indoors with air conditioning – right now during this COVID-19 pandemic. But we can at least daydream about the day we can, and chit chat about who we think has the best restaurant in town, right?

Delightfully, of the restaurants on the top 10 list, all but one are truly local. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is the only one that’s a franchise (though Olive Garden and Ruth’s Chris Steak House both cracked the top 15).

Also worth noting is the fact that all three restaurants owned by local Fresno restaurateur Dave Fansler are on the list: Pismo’s, Yosemite Ranch and Westwoods BBQ & Spice Co.

He’s the guy who founded Tahoe Joe’s (he sold it years ago). He also stirred up some controversy recently for keeping Pismo’s “open air” dining room open when the state had ordered restaurant dining rooms closed.

All the restaurants are relatively high-end. (Interesting that there’s not a Mexican restaurant among the top 10, though we suspect that would change if we surveyed a broader sample of the population.)

Some honorable mentions that ranked pretty high, but didn’t crack the top 10? The Lime Lite, Tahoe Joe’s, Mad Duck, Manhattan, Dog House Grill, Parma, AJ’s Armenian Cuisine, DiCicco’s and Sal’s Mexican Restaurant.

Here’s a little rundown of each restaurant that did make the top 10 list.

1. Pismo’s. Always packed, this seafood restaurant with a fish market is a popular north Fresno option. Fresnans have so many favorites on the menu, from the clam chowder to calamari to the grilled artichoke. 7937 N. Blackstone Ave.

2. The Annex Kitchen. Chef Jimmy Pardini and his restaurateur family opened this restaurant five years ago, affectionately turning the Valley’s produce into Italian-inspired dishes. Try the Fresno State corn agnolotti if it’s in season, or the wood-fired pizza, steak and cocktails. 2257 W. Shaw Ave.

3. Westwoods BBQ. Another of Fansler’s restaurants, this is the River Park spot with the giant smoker out front. Brisket smoked for 12 hours, tri-tip, cornbread and honey hot chicken are all on the menu. 8042 N. Blackstone Ave.

4. Heirloom. Perhaps the most casual place on the list, this quick-service restaurant also takes advantage of the Valley’s bounty of fruit and vegetables with its ever-changing seasonal menu. It features plates with a variety of wood-grilled proteins (like ancho-crusted tri-tip) and sides, along with salads, creative appetizers and cocktails. 8398 N. Fresno St.

5. Fleming’s. It’s all about the steak at this Fashion Fair steakhouse – New York strip, filet mignon, even a 35-ounce tomahawk steak. Expect an elegant, low-lit dining room, lots of sides and a big wine selection. 639 E. Shaw Ave.

6. Elbow Room. This Fresno favorite in Fig Garden Village is known as a classy place to take a date with a large patio and outdoor bar. Try the French dip sandwich, the mushroom appetizer, or something from the extensive wine list. 731 W. San Jose Ave.

7. Cracked Pepper Bistro. A go-to for special occasions, this north Fresno restaurant has the most famous dessert in town, a bread pudding made with rum and brandy caramel sauce. Its eggplant appetizer also has a reputation. 6737 N. Palm Ave.

8. Yosemite Ranch. Another of Fansler’s restaurants, this steakhouse serves steak, seafood, wine and more. 1520 E. Champlain Drive.

9. Five Restaurant. Closed for a year after a fire, Five Restaurant has reopened, serving up its Italian dishes with cocktails, wine and a popular creme brulee dessert. 1110 E. Champlain Drive.

10. Max’s Bistro & Bar. This restaurant with the artsy interior offers meat, seafood and pasta, with a signature trio of french fries (sweet potato, eggplant and truffle fries) and dipping sauces.

Bethany Clough

The Fresno Bee

(559) 441-6431

Bethany Clough covers restaurants and retail for The Fresno Bee. A reporter for more than 20 years, she now works to answer readers’ questions about business openings, closings and other business news. She has a degree in journalism from Syracuse University and her last name is pronounced Cluff.