Our Story

Surla’s

Restaurant Info

Surla’s is located in the heart of Modesto. The restaurant seats 60 people in the dining room, 8 at the bar, & a Beautiful Patio. It also has a banquet room that can accommodate parties of 50 people. Surla’s has available parking spots surrounding the restaurant. Chef John Surla believes that his dinners need to be comforted by his food as well as the surroundings and service. Our customers have felt cared for and they have spoken that he is the Central Valleys most beloved Chef.

Mission Statement

Surla’s Mission Statement is to provide Modesto with a unique and diverse cuisine by using only the finest and freshest ingredients.

Hours of Operation

The restaurant is opened Tuesday-Thursday from 5:00pm to 9pm Friday-Saturday from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Sunday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Keep up with Surla’s events on Facebook & Instagram.

Executive Chef Bio

Chef John’s passion for cooking start at the young age of 5 years old. The first dish my mom taught me was Fried Rice. Watching countless hours of Yan Can Cook and Julia Child was a big inspiration to be a Chef. My mothers family originates from the Philippines and are all very good cooks from San Vicente, Pampanga. My mother had 8 sisters who all taught grade school and worked in the family restaurant where they would serve delicious Filipino dishes like Chicken Mami, Lumpia, Pancit Palabok, and Dinaguan. As a child, coming from a large family we would hold parties every weekend and I my mother would put me to work preparing for the guests.

Chef Surla received his formal training at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California, under the direction of Chef Nader Sharkes, where he achieved his Culinary, Restaurant Management, and Baking/Patisserie Certificates which are all ACF certified. Also has attended Professional Development Classes at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, California to hone his skills in the kitchen. His culinary background includes such restaurants as Tourelle Restaurant/Lafayette, Skywalker Ranch/Nicasio, Servino Ristorante/Tiburon, Blackhawk Grilled/Danville, Robert Mondavi Winery/Disney’s California Adventure/Anahiem, and Galletto Ristorante/Modesto. Chef John has worked for renowned Chefs such as Stephen Silva/Melons Catering, Arnold Pulido/Va di Vie, and Rainer Schwarz/Driftwood & Hendrix Restaurants.

Recently married, Chef John spends his time outside the Restaurants with his wife Josephine & son Jacky, as well as helping non-profit groups such as the Big Valley Christian Schools, Cal State Stanislaus, Cal Poly Alumni, Community Hospice, Central West Ballet, Endurance, Hilmar Helping Hands, Modesto Symphony, Without Permission, Childrens Crisis Center, Central Catholics Bash, St. Theater, Gallo Center for the Arts, Hilmar Schools, Member of the Turlock Chamber, and other local groups in the Central Valley.