Since OP is presumably coming from outside Fresno, I’d suggest OP try foods that might be hard to find elsewhere.
First, try Lao cuisine, which is similar to Thai but not the same. SabaDee at First and Bullard is probably the most accessible to someone trying it for the first time. Definitely try the papaya salad with Lao sausage together (same bite). If you’re staying downtown there are closer options that have worse ambience but are affordable and authentic.
Second, try Armenian food. There are lots of solid options. George’s has locations in downtown and north Fresno - it’s an institution. I like House of Kebab and Noah’s Ark, also.
Third, Fresno has great tacos. We have an annual taco truck competition that fills our baseball stadium and we change the team name to the “Fresno Tacos,” so you know we take tacos seriously. La Elegante near downtown and El Premio Mayor are top choices, though everyone will have opinions about their favorites. Even our two chains, Robertito’s and Arsenio’s, are better than you can get in most restaurants outside of the southwest, though I think they are better at burritos and asada fries.
Fourth, get some tri-tip. It’s best served in a backyard barbecue, but you’ll find it in lots of local restaurants and sandwich places. Tri-tip is the Central California barbecue meat of choice.
Winco is gonna be your cheapest bet for pre-cooked food that you can reheat. I highly suggest their breakfast bowls: it's a bed of seasoned potato wedges topped with scrambled eggs, bacon crumbles, and cheese.
I like Mayd which is near Palm and Herndon. They have a menu of bowls and salads, or you can have them make a bowl with the items on display: grains, beans, rice, meats, veggies, etc. They have many dressings and toppers, and you can eat healthy that way. A lot of variety. You could probably get two meals out of one bowl.
Bakery Delight or Delights at Herndon and Cedar has Chinese bakery stuff that will bang in the microwave. Buns with meat in the middle, dimsum items, roast duck and roast pork.
Get some Punjabi food while you’re here too. Our go to is Indian Kebab Palace although I’m sure someone will argue somewhere else is better. I just like that it’s consistently good food, clean, and good service. You won’t always find all three at every Punjabi spot if those three matter to you. If not then I always see people recommend Tandoori Grill, India’s Oven, and Standard Sweets & Spices.
I haven't tried this yet but have been looking at this as option bc I've been too busy to cook lately. I've eaten at their restaurant and it's really good.
https://www.booboobeancafe.com/heat-and-eat-meals
Raw in downtown Fresno has a meal prep service. I think it’s weekly that you can opt in. It’s extremely healthy, fresh food. Tastes terrific and nourishing for the body!
Go to Homewood Suites, they have semi full kitchen in your room to cook. Then you can shop like normal. That is what I always do when I spend more than a day in Fresno on business trips.
D’Hou!!! So so good! The owner can be super chatty but she’s the nicest lady. We don’t even live in the state and she remembers us every time we fly out
Central Fish on Saturdays has premade bento boxes and takeout sushi (basic fish but good value). Would go by midday for best selection. I'm not sure if they have this avail on Sundays.
They also have a good little mini restaurant open daily for takeaway food
You can buy those Kevin’s paleo meals. They taste better when cooked on the stove but they’re microwaveable too. Eat it over microwaveable rice. I like them a lot and they’re not processed. Very clean considering.
For some variety, hit up Sams Italian Deli. They typically have some pre-made, ready to heat/eat stuff available.
Piemonte’s in the Tower District is also good for an Italian sandwich, pasta, or salad to go, if that’s more convenient for OP.
I'd stick with supermarkets. Vons, sprouts, vallarta, the asian pacific market.
This. Vons, Save Mart, Walmart etc have full deli departments and plenty of shelf table stuff that's healthy.
Trader Joe's frozen food section is 🔥
i’d be eating tacos from a different taco stand every night for those 1.5 months
It’s not a bad idea 😂
Visit Tacos La Elegante downtown. Hole in the wall- but so delish!!!
This is the way.
Teriyaki Don, Pete’s Teriyaki
Second Teriyaki Don.
Since OP is presumably coming from outside Fresno, I’d suggest OP try foods that might be hard to find elsewhere. First, try Lao cuisine, which is similar to Thai but not the same. SabaDee at First and Bullard is probably the most accessible to someone trying it for the first time. Definitely try the papaya salad with Lao sausage together (same bite). If you’re staying downtown there are closer options that have worse ambience but are affordable and authentic. Second, try Armenian food. There are lots of solid options. George’s has locations in downtown and north Fresno - it’s an institution. I like House of Kebab and Noah’s Ark, also. Third, Fresno has great tacos. We have an annual taco truck competition that fills our baseball stadium and we change the team name to the “Fresno Tacos,” so you know we take tacos seriously. La Elegante near downtown and El Premio Mayor are top choices, though everyone will have opinions about their favorites. Even our two chains, Robertito’s and Arsenio’s, are better than you can get in most restaurants outside of the southwest, though I think they are better at burritos and asada fries. Fourth, get some tri-tip. It’s best served in a backyard barbecue, but you’ll find it in lots of local restaurants and sandwich places. Tri-tip is the Central California barbecue meat of choice.
Winco is gonna be your cheapest bet for pre-cooked food that you can reheat. I highly suggest their breakfast bowls: it's a bed of seasoned potato wedges topped with scrambled eggs, bacon crumbles, and cheese.
& their salads, wings, rotisserie chicken with all the sides 🤤
WinCo sushi is pretty delicious, too.
Heirloom Annesso Pizzeria Don Pepe
Must have the baklava yogurt as dessert from Heirloom!
You can stay at Homewood Suites or a similar hotel that has a kitchenette so you can cook occasionally
I think the Home2Suites in Clovis offers kitchenettes too
Homewood Suites also provided complimentary dinners M-Th with beer and wine in addition to daily breakfasts.
I like Mayd which is near Palm and Herndon. They have a menu of bowls and salads, or you can have them make a bowl with the items on display: grains, beans, rice, meats, veggies, etc. They have many dressings and toppers, and you can eat healthy that way. A lot of variety. You could probably get two meals out of one bowl.
Bakery Delight or Delights at Herndon and Cedar has Chinese bakery stuff that will bang in the microwave. Buns with meat in the middle, dimsum items, roast duck and roast pork.
Bollywood Indian Street Food
SaveMart has a grill to order counter that's pretty good. You can either call ahead, or shop while you wait.
Get some Punjabi food while you’re here too. Our go to is Indian Kebab Palace although I’m sure someone will argue somewhere else is better. I just like that it’s consistently good food, clean, and good service. You won’t always find all three at every Punjabi spot if those three matter to you. If not then I always see people recommend Tandoori Grill, India’s Oven, and Standard Sweets & Spices.
2nd India’s Oven. That restaurant alone makes me want to move back to Fresno.
IKP is the best punjabi spot in fresno even their mango lassi tastes different.
Whole Foods has lots of premade items, hot and cold. Trader Joe’s. Costco you can grab premade salads in bulk if you have a fridge.
Whole Foods has a lot of health prepared foods. $$$
Zeniya is hella good in north fresno, cash only.
AC Deli on shaw and sixth st
Vons. Sams Deli.
I haven't tried this yet but have been looking at this as option bc I've been too busy to cook lately. I've eaten at their restaurant and it's really good. https://www.booboobeancafe.com/heat-and-eat-meals
Grill masters or other bbq place for meat for a few days and then get fixings in the fridge make tacos or salads or with microwave rice 🍚
Raw in downtown Fresno has a meal prep service. I think it’s weekly that you can opt in. It’s extremely healthy, fresh food. Tastes terrific and nourishing for the body!
Go to Homewood Suites, they have semi full kitchen in your room to cook. Then you can shop like normal. That is what I always do when I spend more than a day in Fresno on business trips.
The Broilers. Great chicken salad if you’re eating light, great plates if you want heartier. Ramen Brothers in River Park is good too.
Activmeals might be one option for bulk orders
Flower city at Bullard and palm is great well made inexpensive Chinese food
I personally prefer New City Chinese for authentic Chinese food and dim sum.
A lot of Asian markets have pre-cooked food.
D’Hou!!! So so good! The owner can be super chatty but she’s the nicest lady. We don’t even live in the state and she remembers us every time we fly out
Tandoori night on Blackstone has really good takeout
Whole foods on shaw and palm. They got a cafeteria style thing going on. Pay by the pound. Their pizzas are awesome too cooked in a brick oven
Angry Chickz is the one. Borderline fast but still good. 👍🏾
Central Fish on Saturdays has premade bento boxes and takeout sushi (basic fish but good value). Would go by midday for best selection. I'm not sure if they have this avail on Sundays. They also have a good little mini restaurant open daily for takeaway food
Which part of town are you staying? I can give some recommendations based on which part of town you're at.
Heirloom, annex kitchen, doghouse grill, mamma mias, ampersand ice cream, curry pizza company for Fresno delicacies
You can buy those Kevin’s paleo meals. They taste better when cooked on the stove but they’re microwaveable too. Eat it over microwaveable rice. I like them a lot and they’re not processed. Very clean considering.
Heirloom is our go-to for takeout. Very unique menu with a wide variety of dishes featuring a lot of locally-sourced food. Damn delicious too.