I lunched at this downtown Modesto cafe and discovered a hidden gem. What I got for $20

Inside Look is a Modesto Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories.

Nestled within the heart of downtown Modesto lies a quaint coffee and bake shop.

As I discovered, Mocha Magic Cafe and Bake Shop is a hidden gem.

From the handwritten menus on chalk boards to the antique decor scattered across the light blue walls, the cafe is a charming and welcoming stop near the Five Points intersection in Modesto.

What’s more, the food and coffee made here is some of the best — and most affordable — I’ve had in Modesto.

After reading about my experience at Bookish in April, Modesto Bee reader Kimberly Gilbert asked me to put Mocha Magic Cafe and Bake Shop at 920 16th Street on my list of places to visit on a budget.

“Prices are very reasonable and your $20 budget would get you far here,” Gilbert wrote me about the shop.

On Tuesday afternoon, I decided to venture out to Mocha Magic Cafe and Bake Shop to see how far $20 would get me. Here’s what I ate:

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By the time I arrived to the shop at around 2 p.m. for a late lunch, it was nearing closing time.

Mocha Magic Cafe and Bake Shop is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Sunday.

To my surprise, the shop was completely empty except for the three employees working behind the counter.

“Let me know if you have any questions,” the cashier said.

The pastry cases and overhead menu displayed an abundance of items.

As I skimmed past the seemingly endless rows of cookies, muffins, scones and cupcakes, my stomach began to grumble. I had saved my appetite for this visit, and everything looked irresistibly delicious.

How affordable is Mocha Magic Cafe and Bake Shop in Modesto?

I spent about 15 minutes looking over my options.

There was so much to look at, from the array of cookie flavors to the toppings adorning the muffins and the intricate swirls gracing the cupcakes.

Items on the menu included:

• Grilled wraps for $6.50.

• Avocado toast for $8.

• Granola bowls for $7.

• Sweet toast for $8.

• Egg frittatas for $6.50.

• Breakfast sandwiches, which are served all day and priced at $7.

• Salads for $11.

• Paninis for $11.

• Lunch sandwiches come with a cookie (choose between chocolate chip or snickerdoodle) and cost $10.

• Combos include half a sandwich with a side soup or salad, and half a salad with soup.

From teas and coffees to smoothies and espresso shots, drinks on the menu at Mocha Magic Cafe and Bake Shop were all priced under $9.

Some drinks were available in only one size, such as a grande cup at Starbucks, while others had 12-ounce and 16-ounce options.

If I hadn’t been on a $20 budget, I might have ordered one of everything, considering how hungry I was.

I eventually settled on a Dirty Chai drink for $5.25 and a Californian sandwich made with turkey, provolone, avocado, mayo, Dijon mustard and lettuce. The sandwich came with a snickerdoodle cookie on the side.

This brought my total $15.25.

Even though I had covered all my bases with a sandwich, a coffee and cookie, I couldn’t help but eye the fluffy cupcakes in the display case.

I wanted try something unique to the bake shop, so I asked the cashier for her recommendation. She suggested I try the Earl Grey Lavender cupcake.

While I typically prefer chocolate or cinnamon, I decided to trust her suggestion — and was happy that I did.

The cupcake, priced at $2.50, brought my subtotal to $17.75. After taxes and fees, my grand total came to $19.40.

After paying, I made my way to the outdoor dining area to savor my treats.

The Dirty Chai struck the perfect balance between sweetness and coffee flavor, which is exactly what I look for in my cup of joe.

The snickerdoodle cookie was a tasty treat, with its cinnamon sugar coating and soft, chewy center.

While the Californian sandwich surpassed my expectations, packing more flavor than its simple appearance promised, the Earl Grey Lavender cupcake stole the show.

The cupcake was a delightful balance of moist cake and fluffy frosting. Each bite was bursting with flavor and left me wanting more.

During my regular outings in Modesto, I might have easily missed Mocha Magic Cafe and Bake Shop on my way to a more visible coffee spot in the city. However, that would have been a mistake.

These were some of the most budget-friendly yet delicious items I’ve had in Modesto — and having lived here most of my life, I’ve tried quite a few.

Thank you for the suggestion, Kimberly!

Where should I go next?

Have any ideas on where I should visit next in Modesto on a budget?

Send me recommendations at arodriguez@modbee.com or by filling out the form below.

What do you want to know about life in Modesto? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@modbee.com.