Set along the delta waterways, Stockton’s food culture is shaped by its agricultural heritage and the steady stream of new Americans who call the city home.
From farm-fresh Mexican and Hmong dishes to time-honored Italian and modern bistro fare, Stockton’s stories shine at the dinner table.
1. Cast Iron Trading Co.
The city’s spot for chef-driven American comfort, Cast Iron is equal parts lively café, after-dark pub, and Saturday brunch magnet.
Try the fried chicken and biscuits, creative breakfast burritos, truffle fries, or any of the local-beef burgers.
The coffee program is robust, live music spills out onto the patio many nights, and beer/wine lists focus on the Central Valley’s bounty.
Art covers the walls; servers know both the daily specials and a guest’s favorite table.
2. Angelina’s Spaghetti House
In Stockton since 1976, this cavernous landmark is as famous for its red-checkered napkins as for its Sunday sauce: house-baked bread, veal parm, hand-rolled gnocchi, and piles of spaghetti served with a smile by servers who treat everyone like family.
Every major family milestone has passed through Angelina’s doors, and the cannoli end the way all perfect Italian meals do.
3. El Rancho Inn Steak & Lobster House
A Stockton classic for celebrating: wood-paneled booths, neon-lit cocktails, big steaks sizzling with garlic butter, and lobster tail ready for dipping. Families gather for prom, business closings, and milestone birthdays.
The bar keeps the martini culture alive, and the attention to hospitality—never rushed, always warm—is remembered long after your last bite.
4. Dave Wong’s
This is Cantonese-chic at its best—wonton soup, roast barbecue pork, honey walnut prawns, and spicy Szechuan plates, plus a deep menu of sharables and chef specials.
Elegant, bright, and always full, Dave Wong’s feels as right for weeknight takeout as for banquets.
The wine and sake list is well above what you’d expect, and so is the selection of dim sum.
5. Green Papaya Cuisine
Bringing together Vietnamese and Laotian influences, Green Papaya’s menu sparkles with fresh spring rolls, rich pho, pork larb, and fragrant curries.
Every meal starts with a complimentary cup of lemongrass broth, and the papaya salad is a local legend.
Don’t skip the iced Vietnamese coffee or mango sticky rice—the owner may come out and thank you personally.
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