Wildfire Public House

Wildfire Public House is an upscale-casual American steakhouse, gastro-lounge, and cocktail bar located at 1533 Oakdale Road (#A) in eastern Modesto, California. Founded by restaurateur John Ismail, who brings more than two decades of hospitality experience to Stanislaus County, the restaurant combines big-city culinary presentation with a neighborhood public house atmosphere. Travelers and local diners visit for hand-cut steaks, scratch-made sauces, fresh seafood, artisan pizzas, weekend brunch, and theatrical craft cocktails served around an indoor-outdoor bar and dog-friendly fire-pit patio.

What to Expect at Wildfire Public House

The dining experience at Wildfire Public House centers on a scratch kitchen that balances hearty steakhouse classics with approachable pub fare. The main food menu features hand-cut steaks cooked to order, house-made pasta dishes, gourmet burgers, crisp entrée salads, and stone-baked pizzas. Diners looking for value can take advantage of the popular 2 for $20 menu selections alongside chef’s specialties, shareable appetizers, and house soups. On Saturdays and Sundays starting at 10:00 AM, the kitchen transitions to a lively weekend brunch service before shifting into its full afternoon and dinner repertoire.

Architecturally, the venue is anchored by a spacious central bar that opens toward an outdoor terrace warmed by fire pits. The beverage program is known across Modesto for signature smoked and flame-garnished cocktails that arrive at the table literally lit on fire, complemented by rotating draft beers and California wines. For larger gatherings, celebrations, or corporate dinners, the restaurant houses a dedicated Private Fire Room capable of seating up to 40 guests, as well as full-service catering trays engineered to serve groups of six or more across Stanislaus County.

• Hand-Cut Steaks & Scratch Entrées: Center-cut steaks, fresh seafood plates, and pasta dishes prepared with house-made sauces and seasonal sides.
• Flaming Signature Cocktails: A theatrical craft bar program featuring smoked and flame-lit specialty cocktails, local beers on tap, and curated wines.
• Dog-Friendly Fire-Pit Patio: An inviting outdoor dining terrace equipped with glowing fire tables where well-behaved dogs are welcome alongside guests.
• Weekend Brunch Service: Saturday and Sunday morning dining starting at 10:00 AM with brunch plates, daytime cocktails, and patio seating.
• The Private Fire Room: An intimate, climate-controlled private dining space accommodating up to 40 guests for rehearsal dinners, birthdays, and business events.

Wildfire Public House at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

While walk-in guests are welcomed daily at the central bar and dining room, booking a table in advance through the official website is strongly recommended for Friday and Saturday evenings after 6:00 PM and for weekend brunch on the fire-pit patio. Dress is smart-casual, fitting everything from date nights to post-work drinks. Reaching the restaurant by car is straightforward: it sits along the busy Oakdale Road commercial corridor just north of Briggsmore Avenue, roughly 10 minutes northeast of Downtown Modesto and Highway 99, with abundant free parking right outside the entrance. Public transit riders can board Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority (StanRTA) bus routes serving Oakdale Road and Scenic Drive.

The single-level restaurant layout features step-free entry from the plaza parking lot, wide pathways between tables, accessible restrooms, and ground-level access to both the main bar and outdoor fire-pit patio, making it easy to navigate with wheelchairs or strollers. Before or after your meal, you can pair a visit with a walk or bike ride along the paved Dry Creek Trail at East La Loma Park (less than five minutes south by car), a round at Creekside Golf Course nearby, or architectural tours and performances in Downtown Modesto at the McHenry Mansion and the Gallo Center for the Arts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hours of operation and when is brunch served at Wildfire Public House?

Wildfire Public House is open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM and Friday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. On weekends, the restaurant opens early for brunch at 10:00 AM, closing at 11:00 PM on Saturday and 10:00 PM on Sunday.

How much does dining cost and do I need a reservation?

Wildfire Public House falls in the moderate ($$) price tier, offering a 2 for $20 value section, burgers, pizzas, and pastas alongside premium hand-cut steaks. Walk-ins are welcome at the bar and dining room, though advance reservations are advised for weekend dinner hours and groups.

How much time should I budget for a meal at Wildfire Public House?

Plan to spend 1.5 to 2 hours for a full sit-down meal with appetizers, steaks or pasta entrées, and signature cocktails around the fire pits. Express weekday lunches or casual drinks at the central bar typically take 45 to 60 minutes.

Is the restaurant wheelchair accessible and dog friendly?

Yes, the entire ground-floor venue—including the main dining room, central bar, Private Fire Room, and outdoor patio—is step-free and wheelchair accessible with ADA parking spaces directly out front. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome to join diners on the outdoor fire-pit patio.

When planning your Modesto travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and nightlife in Modesto, pair this stop with standout local spots including The Twisted Pig Bar and Grill, Palermo Restaurant Italian Cucina, ESCAPE Modesto, and The Secret Garden (0.4 km away).