The Secret Garden is a full-service American restaurant and brunch house located at 2401 E Orangeburg Ave Ste 20 in central Modesto, California. Situated inside the Oakmore Plaza shopping center near the intersection of East Orangeburg Avenue and Oakdale Road, the restaurant is known across Stanislaus County for its foliage-draped garden interior, expansive all-day menu spanning more than 100 items, and creative mimosa and boozy espresso flights. Travelers passing through California’s Central Valley and Modesto locals visit from early morning through evening for hearty skillet breakfasts, specialty sandwiches, grilled steaks, and celebratory group gatherings.
What to Expect at The Secret Garden
Stepping through the entrance from the Oakmore Plaza walkway reveals an indoor dining room styled with trailing greenery, floral accents, warm wood furnishings, and decorative lighting that creates an indoor conservatory feel. The restaurant operates across 17 distinct menu sections serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Morning guests gravitate toward multi-egg omelets, Eggs Benedict variations, Belgian waffles, stuffed French toast, and cast-iron country skillets layered with home-style potatoes, melted cheese, and house gravy. By midday and evening, the kitchen transitions toward half-pound burgers, hot pressed sandwiches, fresh garden salads, pasta plates, and comfort-focused American dinner entrees.
Beyond its kitchen offerings, The Secret Garden stands out in Modesto for its beverage menu, which pairs specialty coffee drinks with spirited brunch cocktails. Diners frequently order multi-glass tasting flights featuring fruit-puree mimosas, bloody marys, or chilled boozy espresso concoctions. For larger family celebrations, bridal showers, and corporate lunches, the restaurant maintains a dedicated private banquet room accommodating up to 60 seated guests. Dietary preferences are straightforward to navigate, with customizable egg dishes, vegetarian salads, and lighter grilled chicken or seafood plates available throughout the day.
- Signature Brunch Flights & Boozy Espresso: Multi-glass tasting flights featuring seasonal fruit mimosas alongside chilled espresso cocktails blended with liqueurs and cold foam.
- All-Day American Breakfast Classics: Generous plates of Eggs Benedict, country fried steak and eggs, skillet scrambles, and sweet griddle stacks served starting at 7:00 AM daily.
- Garden-Themed Dining Room: An intimate indoor setting decorated with hanging botanical arrangements, floral wall motifs, and comfortable booth and table seating.
- Private Banquet Room for 60 Guests: A reservable event space within the restaurant tailored for rehearsal dinners, baby showers, birthday gatherings, and business meetings.
- Twisters, Sandwiches & Dinner Entrees: Savory lunch and evening options ranging from signature twisted potato plates and club sandwiches to grilled ribeye steaks and comforting pasta bowls.
The Secret Garden at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2401 E Orangeburg Ave Ste 20, Modesto, CA 95355 |
| Neighborhood / Area | East Modesto / Oakdale & Orangeburg Corridor |
| Operating Hours | Monday–Sunday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | $$ (Moderate; typical entrees and brunch plates range from $14 to $28) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 60 to 90 minutes |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Free surface lot at Oakmore Plaza; StanRTA Bus Routes 22 and 37 stop at Orangeburg Ave & Oakdale Rd |
| Official Website & Phone | +1 209-846-9559 (Call directly for table reservations and banquet room bookings) |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Weekend brunch between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM is the busiest window at The Secret Garden, especially on Saturdays and Sundays when families and groups gather for mimosa flights. Arriving before 8:30 AM on weekends or dining on weekday mornings ensures immediate seating without a wait. If you are planning a group outing or looking to book the 60-person banquet room, call the restaurant in advance at +1 209-846-9559. Dress is casual across all service hours, and both dine-in table service and takeaway orders are supported.
Drivers reaching the restaurant from State Route 99 can take the Briggsmore Avenue exit east to Oakdale Road and head south to East Orangeburg Avenue, where Oakmore Plaza provides free off-street parking directly in front of Suite 20. Public transit riders using the Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority (StanRTA) can board Route 22 or Route 37, both of which stop at the corner of East Orangeburg Avenue and Oakdale Road less than a two-minute walk from the front door. The single-level plaza layout offers step-free curb ramps, wide doorway clearance, and accessible restroom facilities suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. After dining, visitors are a five-minute walk from the paved walking and cycling path along the Virginia Corridor Trailway to the west, or a five-minute drive from East La Loma Park and the historic McHenry Mansion in downtown Modesto.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the operating hours and best times to visit The Secret Garden?
The Secret Garden is open seven days a week from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner continuously. For the quietest dining room experience, visit on weekday mornings before 10:00 AM or during the mid-afternoon lull between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
How much does a meal cost and are reservations required?
The restaurant falls into the moderate ($$) price tier, with most breakfast plates, burgers, and sandwiches priced between $14 and $22, and dinner entrees or cocktail flights ranging from $18 to $28. Walk-ins are welcome daily, though calling ahead to +1 209-846-9559 is recommended for weekend brunch groups or to reserve the 60-seat private banquet room.
How much time should I budget for dining at The Secret Garden?
Most guests spend 60 to 90 minutes enjoying a full sit-down meal and specialty drinks. Solo diners or travelers stopping in for an early weekday breakfast can comfortably finish within 45 minutes.
Is The Secret Garden wheelchair accessible and family-friendly?
Yes, the restaurant occupies a ground-floor suite at Oakmore Plaza with accessible parking spaces, step-free entryways, and movable dining chairs that accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. Families with children are well catered to with kid-friendly griddle items, smoothies, and spacious booth seating.
When planning your Modesto travel guide or browsing verified american restaurant in Modesto, pair this stop with standout local spots including Charles M. Sharpe Park, Days Inn by Wyndham Modesto, Modesto Mural, and Wildfire Public House (0.4 km away).
