Comfort Food with a Creative Twist
Do you often find yourself hungry and in the northwest Fresno area? I’ve got a great new spot for you to check out, offering a delicious meal accompanied by exceptional customer service! Focaccia is a newer fast-casual restaurant located in the Save Mart shopping center on the southwest corner of Herndon and Milburn, behind Educational Employees Credit Union and next to Starbucks. When I glanced online at reviews, almost everyone who’d eaten there before me mentioned fresh ingredients and excellent customer service, so it sounded like a great option when I was in the area this past weekend.
I visited during a busy Saturday lunch hour and was immediately greeted by the owner (and I later learned, the Executive Chef!) Mr. Sanjay K Gadh, with a smile and a “Welcome to Focaccia!” My friends and I were handed menus, and the options were plentiful. The main menu categories include paninis, hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, salads. Fries, soups and tartines are also available. What’s great about the menu, is that there are tons of choices in each category. The menu balances comfort food with some creative twists. Some menu highlights include:
Burgers: Classics like the Nation’s Choice keeps it simple with classic burger toppings, while options like the Big Kahuwa with grilled pineapple and teriyaki sauce or the Man & Kid stacked high with beef and mac and cheese show off the fun side.
Hot Sandwiches: Think tri-tip, roast beef, pastrami on marble rye, and plenty of bold picks like Buffalo Chicken Bacon Avocado, Brisket Grilled Cheese, or Butter Chicken.
Paninis & Tartines: Melty, toasty favorites such as Chicken Pesto, Beef and Gorgonzola, or a classic Tuna Melt. Tartines are open-faced and include Avocado Toast, Bacon and Jelly, or Protein-packed combos.
Cold Sandwiches: Turkey Cranberry Pesto, Chicken Salad, BLT, and even a Dungeness Crab Sandwich for something lighter, different, fresh but still filling.
Salads: Fresh and colorful, with standouts like the Tri-Tip Salad with apple and Gorgonzola, or the Jerk Chicken Mango for a tropical kick.
On my recent visit, I tried the Brisket Grilled Cheese that was loaded with thinly sliced smoked beef, melted cheese and a spicy basil sauce, all on fresh focaccia bread (hence the restaurant’s name, this bread is definitely a key feature of many menu items and rightfully so, it’s quite good) and my friends had the Greek Salad and the Buffalo Chicken Bacon Avocado panini. Our food came out hot, the ingredients tasted fresh, and everything was served with a side of ripe fruit, too. The prices were reasonable, and the portion sizes were great – especially the salad – it was huge, my friend was able to share with her mom.
If you’re a vegetarian, there are options on the menu for you, including Beyond burgers. Additionally, there are plenty of kid-friendly choices as well. I feel like Focaccia is the place you choose to go eat when you don’t know exactly what you want, you just know you want something tasty and filling since there are so many different flavor combinations on the menu, and it’s also a fantastic place for a casual bite with a group, as there will definitely be something everyone likes, and given the focus on great service (it feels like you’re eating at a family member’s restaurant honestly) I have no doubt making adjustments or customizations would be a breeze.
Focaccia is open daily from 10:30am to 9pm. They offer online advance ordering for pickup and delivery via Toast Tab, or by phone order. For additional information, visit their website here.
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