Pure Joy Bakery & The Lunch Pail

Modesto, United States

3.8

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 209-525-3663
Website:
www.thelunchpail.com
Address:
501 Bangs Ave Ste E, Modesto, CA, 95356
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
No
Delivery
Yes
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Good For
Lunch, Dessert
Parking
Private Lot
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Average
Alcohol
No
Outdoor Seating
No
Wi-Fi
Free
Has TV
No
Waiter Service
No
Caters
Yes

Today

Today –
Local time (Modesto) 3:45 PM Thursday, June 12, 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

We are a speciality Pie Shop and Café. We have been in business for over 15 years and we are famous for our award winning handcrafted pies. In the past six years 13 of our pies have taken first place at the American Pie Councils Crisco National Bake-​Off in Florida. This year at the 2011 competition we not only took the blue ribbon, we also took the grand champion «Best of Show» out of all entries.

The Lunch Pail Portion of our Business is fresh food made daily, all of our soups are made from scratch, «no cans here». Our sandwiches are made with fresh roasted turkey, fresh baked bread piled high with fresh produce. We take lots of pride in the food and service provided.

If you are looking for something fun and want to take a trip back in time, we have over 700 vintage lunch pails for you to enjoy and remember a time when food was delicious, fun and served with a smile. The Lunch Pail is the only place you will want to be. Come and enjoy a slice of life at The Lunch Pail

History

Established in 1998.

Pure Joy Bakery started in Oakdale, CA in the middle of an 110 acre apple ranch, we raised apple and made our famous pies and fresh pressed cider. On the ranch we also had a 4 acre park with a duck pound that was enjoyed by our customers. Many weddings took place on the ranch with our pies being made into wedding cakes. After five years of business on the ranch, and many fights with the county it was time to move on. The county does not like any business that is fun for the citizens that live near and for the tourist that visit. W moved out little pie shop and also established The Lunch Pail in Modesto, CA. We now offer our world famous blue ribbon pies along with some of the best sandwiches and soup that you have ever enjoyed. We make everything fresh and from scratch. We also offer delivery and full catering services.

Meet the Business Owner

Bryan E.

Business Owner

Bryan has always love to cook, he learned at the side of both his grandmothers. There was always good food around the house and always a family function of some sort going on. Bryan is a self taught chef, some formal training, but he believes that you have to have a desire to be in the food business. Bryan has his degree in Hotel Restaurant Mangement from the University of Denver and has worked in the restaurant since he was 18. He has a deep love for good food and will not prepare anything he is not willing to eat himself. He believes that «Reality is for poeple who lack imagination»

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20 reviews of Pure Joy Bakery & The Lunch Pail

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Place rating: 5
Modesto, CA
I am deeply saddened to learn that this establishment has closed. :-(I loooooooooooooooooooooooooove their pies. they were the best I have ever had.
I hope that they consider opening the bakery portion in the future. :-(So sad. My husband loved their breakfast burritos.
Place rating: 1
Modesto, CA
I felt like for 10 dollar sandwich there should have been more meat a lot more… I won’t go back
Place rating: 1
Modesto, CA
CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED
Guess what people this place has closed its doors as of a week ago. No more Lunch Pail. Although I hear that the owner is going to reopen the Pure Joy Bakery after the 1st of the year in a different location.
Place rating: 4
San Jose, CA
Love the chocolate cream pies!
Place rating: 2
Roseville, CA
Kudos to the owner for responding to my post. I appreciate the offer and thank you. I have not tried your Pies, but I may do so.
Place rating: 3
Modesto, CA
This place could have easily gotten a solid 4 stars if it wasn’t so darned over priced. For two years we ate here twice a week after my daughters physical therapy due to the easy wheelchair access, casual atmosphere and proximity to Golden Bear Physical Therapy. It is located around the corner from my daughters current salon, but we always hesitate to go here because the prices are simply outrageous. Once again, we go in for sandwiches and sodas for lunch and drop $ 30 for the two of us. Seems extreme. The food really is good, but not that good. I feel my intelligence is insulted when I overpay for a meal in a diner/​deli like this.
I love their desserts and think their pie is the best in town, but the pricing is really over the top. Maybe they have a large enough clientele not to need to worry about those of us that hate over paying for a sandwich or pastry. If so, I wish them all the best. If not, lower the prices just enough to not be insulting and we would be in several times a week.
Nice, casual lunch spot but bring a fat wallet.
Place rating: 4
San Francisco, CA
Ordered two pies not knowing that if it’s already sliced and ready to go in the rotating fridge, well, there you have it a two-​for-​one deal.
Nice.
Ordered two chocolate cream pies. Enjoyed every last bite.
Was very sweet, so definitely will eat lunch before I eat dessert first!
By the way, this place has awesome old school lunch boxes displayed all over the restaurant.
Place rating: 5
Fresno, CA
Love this place!!! «Boysenberry Cream Cheese Crunch pie» The Best… National Pie Champions!!! :)
Place rating: 5
Concord, CA
The Pure Joy Bakery’s pies are TOO DIE FOR! Fortunately for Concord residents, two staff members trek to the farmer’s market on Tuesdays and Thursdays selling their delicious pies, apple dumplings, and flatsies… and over the last two weeks, I think I purchased enough slices to make 2 pies, 3 dumplings, and 3 bags of flatsies. Needless to say, I am in love with their desserts and need to make a date with the gym! If you have the opportunity to try their desserts, do so!
Place rating: 3
Modesto, CA
You know, the food is pretty darn good, but worth the price? Don’t think so. I go here like twice a year. The food is good, but I’d rather go spend my money elsewhere and have leftovers from a good meal. Some of these sandwiches taste like the ones I make at home when I’m really trying. The pies on the other hand are pretty freakin’ awesome. Pie and coffee are more of a reason for me to come here than the sandwiches. The place is cute and laid back. I give it a 3.5.
Place rating: 4
Tracy, CA
I really like the food at the Lunch Pail. I especially like the pies (both taste and selection). I like the atmosphere and I like the staff. I like how clean it always is. I like the menu variety and I really like the PIE.
I don’t like the prices. However, I always seem to go back.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Seriously good food, excellent décor and a family feeling to the service makes this a must try when you visit Modesto. We ordered two sandwiches (BLT and ham) with the soup of the day, delicious. I had to try the award winning blue ribbon pie, Dutch Apple, with some ice cream on the side, a winner. The lunch boxes on display are really worth the visit alone but the food is SO good. Easily five stars!!!
Place rating: 4
Stockton, CA
Went here w/​a co-​worker for lunch, told her to take me someplace special that wasn’t in every other city in CA, she took me to the Lunch Pail. Ordering was a breeze, nice help at the counter and while waiting for my order to come up I went into lala land looking at all the lunch pails covering the walls. Saw many I coveted as a child and also reminded me of my favorite cartoon and comic book characters. The lunch came and was above average-I’d go again if I’m ever in Modesto! Oh and I hear the homemade pie is to die for… never found out, too full!
Place rating: 2
San Francisco, CA
I came in on a visit to the Valley. My first experience was good, great even. I LOVE the décor, and recognizing old lunch boxes I used to have when I was little. The kiddies, were pleased with their Grilled Cheese’s.I was pleased with my Ham & Cheese. The potato salad wasn’t great & quite frankly the pie sample was nasty. And I love me a good piece of pie!
So on my next visit, I told my hub how yummy and kick back it was and talked him into going. That day the woman at the counter was NOT friendly, almost annoyed. I know everyone has bad days & try to remember this, BUT I don’t go somewhere to spend 45 $…YES…45 $ on 2 mediocre samiches (yes, I spelled it that way on purpose) & 2 kids meals, AND deal with a snotty lady. I’m paying you, for goodness sakes. The least you can do is pretend to like me. Again, this time the pie sample was nasty. Even my hub, who I’ve witnessed in the past, eat an entire pie, from the middle outwards, was not impressed. It really doesn’t make me want to buy a whole pie if the sample is sub-par…I may try it once again, if someone else is treating… and hopefully the person running the register will be a bit more… ummm…Nice?
It sounds like the breakfasts are yummy from the other reviews, maybe that will be my next experiment! Oh & what’s up with the «waiter service»? They brought the samiches out, but I got my own drinks, napkins, refills, etc… Isn’t that what a «waiter» does???
Place rating: 4
San Mateo, CA
A while back, I was out in Modesto visiting friends. They suggested we hit up Lunch Pail for brunch. It was on a Sunday and it was kind of quiet. I’d say 1⁄3 of the place was full. We ordered our food and sat down. Food was decent and they gave huge portions. What I have to rave about is their pies. I ordered a couple of pies to go and brought them to a party. OMG everyone LOVED the pies. I can’t remember what the name of the pie was but it was almost like a cheesecake berry pie with a crumbly top. HOLY HELL I still think of that pie. I have been looking for recipes that are similar to the pie I had but I can’t seem to find it anywhere! I have actually be damn near tempted to drive my ass back out to Modesto just for the pie.
Place rating: 5
Modesto, CA
This is a sandwich shop that gets the job done. They don’t skimp and the atmosphere is very comfortable. I don’t mean to sound ageist, but there seems to be a lot of old people whenever I go. This is not a complaint, just an observation. You can also have a nice breakfast here if that is your choice.
If you are in this area and want a great lunch stop by. You can also reminisce of days gone by as you look at the amazing collection of lunch pails on the wall.
Trivia: They also serve award winning pies.
Place rating: 5
Castro Valley, CA
Excellent sandwiches, each accompanied by a mini serving of yummy pasta salad, and a tidbit of the pie of the day.
The sandwiches are generously proportioned, which is good, because they are definitely on the pricey side.
Staff are friendly.
And, as others have mentioned, if you want an exceptional pie, this is the place to find it! I love the apple pie — perfect balance of tart/​sweet apples, cinnamon, and a flaky crust.
If you’re a purist and are there on the right day, you can even purchase a small bag of pie crust squares, topped with cinnamon sugar — sublime!
Place rating: 4
Modesto, CA
although the food is pricey, it is very very very good! You have got to try the Thanksgiving sandwich, there is nothing quite like it in town.
The pies are to die for! The dutch apple is an absolute must have.
Definitely worth the occasional splurge!
Place rating: 4
Modesto, CA
I don’t really even like pie. The pies from Pure Joy/​The Lunch Pail are my one exception.
The pie is 5 stars of perfection. Boysenberry Cream Cheese Crunch is my fave by far. Can’t wait to dig into that on my birthday. I’m requesting 2 pies. 1 to share and 1 for me to have a slice for breakfast every day for about a week!
The sandwiches are good too and the specials are worth checking out.
Love the locally roasted coffee (Zoe’s). Super friendly and helpful employees which makes me happy.
The breakfast for me is eh, round up to 3 stars. Nothing special and takes a long time to get after you order. On the plus side they do give you the little dish of pie crust pieces sprinkled with cinnamon-​sugar to munch on while you wait.
Place rating: 5
Turlock, CA
Well this morning after a long walk I decided to try The Lunch Pail for breakfast. I ordered the Tonga Toast. It consisted of two slices of thick french toast with bananas and brown sugar between the two slices. Oh my goodness! It was scrumptious! French toast is one of my fave foods ever. This version was right up there. It was extremely sweet, almost like eating dessert for breakfast. I felt a little naughty eating so much sugary goodness for breakfast, but I exercised this morning and will again tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to burn off all of those extra calories, but boy was it worth it. Hee hee. ;)