On a recent visit to Lucille, a downtown Modesto brunch spot, The Modesto Bee continued its On A Budget series by exploring how far $25 could go at the popular cafe. The article was prompted by reader Dorie Perez, who suggested focusing on more downtown locations.
Lucille, located at 1218 H St., opened in 2023 and has become known for its breakfast and lunch offerings. According to several Google Reviews cited in the article, customers praise both the food and the service. Ariane Solis wrote that “The food was exceptionally good and tasted quality.” Utkarsh Jogani noted, “The staff are so kind and welcoming, and they even remade my coffee exactly how I like it. The whole experience was so pleasant, I’d totally recommend this place to anyone looking for a cozy breakfast or coffee stop.” Max Cervantes described Lucille’s food as “incredibly fresh and delicious.”
The cafe operates from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. During the lunchtime visit, Lucille was busy with a line out the door and all tables occupied. The seating is first come, first served; guests order at the counter before finding a table.
Lucille offers breakfast all day with lunch options starting at 11 a.m. Baked goods range from $4 to $4.50, while main breakfast dishes cost between $6 and $15. Lunch items include sandwiches such as the Thee P+H ($14) and Uptown Gal ($15). Coffee drinks are priced between $3.50 and $6.75; alcoholic beverages start at $4.
Following Dorie Perez’s recommendation, the writer ordered a small pink chai latte for $4.50 along with coffee cake for another $4.50 and selected the Benny on a Bun—brioche bun with white cheddar, bacon, cracked pepper, poached eggs, and hollandaise—for $12.50.
The total before tax and tip came to $21.75; after tax and a 15% tip, it was $27.23.
Lucille’s menu features options including pastries, yogurt bowls, toast (from $3.50 to $15), sandwiches, salads ($5 to $15), coffees/teas ($3.50–$6.75), beer/wine ($4–$12), aiming to provide variety for different preferences.
Readers are encouraged to suggest future destinations within or around Modesto for the On A Budget series by emailing arodriguez@modbee.com or using an online form.
