Readers say this is Fresno’s top restaurant to open in 2021

More than 40 new restaurants opened last year in the Fresno area – and Fresno has a clear favorite.

Last week in our poll we asked readers to vote on what they thought was the best new restaurant that opened in 2021.

The winner? Mayd Modern Mediterranean.

This is the quick-service restaurant that opened early in the year at the northeast corner of Palm and Nees avenues, in the same building as Dutch Bros.

Keep reading for more on the runner-up restaurants.

Mayd is owned by the same people who run the popular restaurants Heirloom and poke bowl place Butterfish.

Its food is a twist on Mediterranean. Its menu features lunch and dinner options like Greek fried chicken and “naakos,” which are tacos made from Indian naan bread.

Customizable bowls are also on the menu, with options like tri-tip shawarma, Moroccan lamb meatballs, tandoori cauliflower and other vegetarian options.

Prices range from $9.50 to $13.50. The restaurant also has an app that lets customers order ahead and pick up food from a walk-up window without going inside the restaurant.

Details: Mayd is at 7090 N. Palm Ave. Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. 559-721-2197.

Other restaurant winners

While Mayd blew all the competition out of the water, the second most favorite new restaurant picked by readers was Dervo’s Deli and Grill.

Regular readers may remember our August story about this restaurant, which used to be a Deli Delicious at Shaw and Woodward avenues.

The No. 3 favorite was MOTO Delicatessen & Bodega. This is the little deli and market across the street from Fresno High School that’s getting glowing reviews online.

Rounding out the top 10: Annesso Pizzeria, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Hummus Republic, Fig & Honey, Pacific Fried Chicken Co., Triangle Drive-In Burgers and Benaddiction’s second location.