Ernie's Food & Spirits is a true culinary treasure in Manteca, California, renowned for its exceptional fine dining experience. Guests rave about the subtle elegance of the restaurant, expressed through its inviting atmosphere and attentive service. Customers like Lee A. commend the generous portions and delightful staff, creating the perfect setting for special occasions.
Each dish at Ernie's tells a story, as reflected in Athena V.'s review, where every course from appetizer to dessert left a lasting impression. Standout offerings include their rich French onion soup and delectable crab cakes, praised for their near-perfect seasoning and impeccable cooking. Diners also indulge in exquisite mains such as the rib eye steak and king salmon, which are cooked to perfection, ensuring that every bite is a memorable one.
The restaurant shows great dedication to customer satisfaction, with staff like Tanna going above and beyond to assist guests with special requests, making anniversaries and celebrations even more memorable. Whether you’re enjoying a birthday cake martini or the delightful Affogato for dessert, each visit feels like a special occasion at Ernie's Food & Spirits. It’s a magnificent spot that balances fine dining with a warm, welcoming vibe—truly a hidden gem worth discovering.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Serves great cocktails
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Has braille menu
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Has salad bar
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Good for groups
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Photos
Reviews For Ernie's Food & Spirits
Lee A
Jun 25,2025
What a hidden gem! Great service, great food, wonderful atmosphere. Our server was delightful and knew the menu and dishes well. Portions were generous. Perfect place for a special occasion. Can't wait to go back.
Athena V.
May 28,2025
The entire experience, from appetizer to dessert was superb. The service was impeccable and the food was amazing. Our server was wonderful. I wish I had made a note of her name, but she is in a couple pictures. She helped make the experience special.
Ashley Granadoz
May 19,2025
Best restaurant experience we have had in a while, from the friendly and accommodating staff to the delicious drinks and food. We started with the birthday cake martinis, then the French onion soup as an appetizer. My husband got the rib eye steak with creamed spinach and potatoes. I ordered the king salmon with crab fried rice and carrots. They are also kid friendly which is a huge plus. We will be back.
Dennis Varghese
May 16,2025
The food here is exceptional. We ordered the crab cakes and French onion soup for starters, went with the NY steak and pork chop for our mains with a side of crab fried rice, and topped it off with the Affogato for dessert. The food here is great, but the mains we ordered were exceptional... Near perfect seasoning and cook on my steak (medium rare), and my wife loved the pork chop (medium)...
HDG
Apr 18,2025
I couldn’t be happier choosing Ernie’s as the place to celebrate my 10 year anniversary. Tanna our server, even help me coordinate the floral delivery (a dozen red roses from Manteca Floral Co.) and set it as our table centerpiece. The food and service is superb; on par with any fine dining from the big city or wine country. The ambiance is ideal for the most important occasions. All of my expectations were surpassed!
A & E
Apr 16,2025
Update. even though, the originals staff is no longer at ernie's, at least most staff, ernie's still exquisite restaurant. my husband and i recently came back, and the food is so good and the beef wellington is my favorite, OK, maybe the dough does need to be thicker, but I still deliciously loved it. Service is excellent, we haven't sat at the bar yet but we will definitely will, soon!!! Because bartender can make drinks like her life dependent on it. I Also highly recommend take out, we just recently did take out and they did so good a packing the food, and they give you plenty of huge portions of the sides. But owner, if you're reading this, you really have extend your hours to at least 9pm, come on Update. COME On GUYS, REALLY You're still Only open til 8pm, Love this place, great food and lovely ambiance and wonderful people that work there, 4 stars because they only open til 8pm
Karen Schaller
Apr 6,2025
Went for birthday dinner. Food was really good. Nice atmosphere. Great wait staff friendly and helpful. Because it was my birthday we got a complimentary dessert. Got the chocolate cake to share. Good thing I did. Delicious and very rich. I got the large plate scallops, cooked perfectly. Husband got the prime burger. He really enjoyed it. Daughter got the half chicken which she really liked. Large portion so had to bring some home. The only part of dinner that was slightly off par was the baked brie appetizer. The taste was great but was expecting the cheese to be larger then what we got kinda small. Just a minor complaint. Aside from that we had a great experience. Definitely recommend Ernies for a night out.
Mary Stanley
Mar 16,2025
My husband and I recently had the pleasure of visiting an extraordinary restaurant to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary. This restaurant surpassed all our expectations. From the moment we stepped foot through the doors, we were greeted with warm hospitality and an ambiance that set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. The culinary journey began with a selection of appetizers that left an indelible impression on our taste buds. We had ordered the crab cakes and the seared scallops. Each dish was meticulously crafted, showcasing a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The presentation was a work of art, with vibrant colors and meticulous attention to detail. The appetizers were the perfect prelude to an extraordinary culinary adventure that awaited me. The main course elevated the dining experience to new heights. The menu boasted an impressive array of options, making it challenging to decide on just one dish. We opted for their Holstein 28 Day Dry-Aged USDA Prime Ribeye Flannery Beef 12oz, and it was nothing short of a gastronomic masterpiece. The ingredients were fresh and expertly combined, resulting in a symphony of flavors that danced on my palate. The portion size was generous, ensuring that every bite was a delightful journey to savor. However, what truly stole the show were the side dishes - the mashed potatoes, truffle Mac and cheese, and crab rice. Let's start with the mashed potatoes. Creamy, velvety, and bursting with flavor, they were the epitome of comfort food perfection. Each forkful was a heavenly blend of buttery smoothness and rich potato goodness. The texture was spot-on, and the seasoning was masterfully balanced, allowing the natural flavors to shine through. These mashed potatoes have undoubtedly set the bar impossibly high for any future mashed potato encounters I may have. Next up, the truffle Mac and cheese. Prepare yourself for a symphony of flavors that will dance on your taste buds. The combination of the earthy truffle essence and the indulgent creaminess of the cheese sauce was simply divine. Every mouthful was a delightful journey as the truffle notes intertwined with the perfectly cooked macaroni, creating a harmonious and luxurious experience. This dish is an absolute must-try for all Mac and cheese enthusiasts. Lastly, the crab rice. Brace yourself for a flavor explosion unlike anything you've ever experienced. The fragrant aroma of the crab-infused rice alone was enough to make my mouth water. Each grain was infused with the essence of fresh crab, complemented by an exquisite medley of carefully selected herbs and spices. The succulent pieces of crab meat added an extra layer of indulgence to this already extraordinary dish. The crab rice at Ernies Food and Spirits is a true culinary masterpiece that I would gladly savor again and again. No culinary adventure is complete without indulging in a decadent dessert, and this restaurant certainly delivered in this department. The dessert menu was a tantalizing array of sweet creations, and I couldn't resist trying their Triple Chocolate Cake Served With Vanilla Gelato and Fresh Berries. From the first bite, I was transported to dessert heaven. The dessert was flawlessly executed, with a perfect balance of sweetness and texture. It was evident that the pastry chef's skill and passion were infused into every delectable bite. The impeccable service at this restaurant deserves special recognition. The staff members were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. They went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of our dining experience was exceptional. From the moment we walked in, we felt like valued guests. The waitstaff was prompt in attending to our needs, providing insightful recommendations, and accommodating any special requests. The attention to detail and genuine care demonstrated by the staff truly elevated the overall experience. In conclusion, our visit to this remarkable restaurant was an absolute delight from start to finish.
Reviews For Ernie's Food & Spirits