Escalon and Oakdale

On the way up Highway 120 to Yosemite, I always enjoy my drive through little Escalon, CA, with its attractive older middle-class homes along tree-shaded streets. But should you stop for lunch? The photo below was snapped behind Hula's burger joint on 120 east of "downtown." Aidan and I stopped in because the place looked to have some local flavor, and the sign outside boasted of the best burger in town. Well was it? Seems doubtful. And the tables smelled of bleach.

A better bet for lunch (or dinner) near the halfway point is in neighboring Oakdale, one of those classic Central Valley agricultural entrepots, and former home of a Hershey's factory. On 120 heading east out of town you might notice a brown-shingled shack that looks more like a dive bar than anything. It's Ferrarese's Deli Restaurant, a place we've eaten a couple of times. The simple fare is very tasty, decent beer on tap, the walls are interesting, and it's a real favorite with locals. You can't do much better.

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