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Favorite Breakfast Spots – Riverside County

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During breakfast this morning with my wife and oldest son, I decided to start the year off with a new feature: Favorites.

Not scientific. Not based on polls. Just completely subjective rankings of places / things I (or we) like.

The first category is breakfast:

  1. Cowgirl Cafe, Norco – Friendly service. Best “scrambled” omelet. Good hashbrowns. Drinks come in mason jars.
  2. Brandon’s Diner, Riverside (Magnolia) – Love the small, hole-in-the-wall diner feel. Great pancakes with warm syrup. Good omelets and hash browns.
  3. Corky’s Kitchen, Corona – Open 24 hours. Big menu. Big servings.

Think there’s a better breakfast spot in Riverside County? Leave a comment and make your argument.

The Habit Burger Grill on Tyler in Riverside

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The Habit Burger Grill on Tyler in the City of Riverside, California has been open for just about a year, but it has recently become one of my family’s favorite places to eat.

The Habit on Tyler in Riverside

If it weren’t for my oldest son, I might not have tried it. A few months ago, after a long day of water polo, my son wanted a Habit burger. Unfortunately, it was closed by the time we arrived. I promised him another trip.

The next time we visited, I ordered something too… I was hooked.

The Habit offers more than just burgers, as you can see from the menu:

The Habit on Tyler in Riverside

The food is prepared to order, and I have never seen it wait under a heating lamp to be served. As soon as the food is ready, the buzzer goes off.

The Habit on Tyler in Riverside

Since becoming a fan, we have eaten at a bunch of different Habit locations, including Riverside Plaza in the City of Riverside, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Chino and Pleasanton.

The Habit on Tyler was closed due to a power outage, so hello Riverside Plaza.

A photo posted by Ole (@riversideandbeyond) on

We have only had good experiences, but The Habit on Tyler in Riverside is my favorite. One of the reasons is because of the people who work here:

Along with French fries and sweet potato fries, The Habit also has onion rings. They are awesome.

The Habit on Tyler in Riverside

My wife usually alternates between the Chicken Club or the Santa Barbara Cobb salad.

The Habit on Tyler in Riverside

The Habit on Tyler in Riverside

Our kids all get burgers.

The Habit on Tyler in Riverside

The Habit on Tyler in Riverside

I get burgers too, but mine usually arrive in a bowl without a bun. I really like the burgers here even without a bun. The burgers are charbroiled and seasoned, and the bacon always seems to be fresh.

The Habit on Tyler in Riverside

The first time I tried The Habit was a few years ago in Lake Forest, California. I was not a fan. It must have been an off day, because fast forward to today and The Habit is one of my new favorite places.

The Habit Burger Grill
3510 Tyler St, Ste 100
Riverside, California

Baja Fish Tacos – Norco

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Last summer during a break in a water polo tournament, my oldest son and I found this great Mexican food place in Foothill Ranch. He loved the fish tacos, I loved the carne asada nachos, and we both wanted to try it again someday.

Unfortunately, the next time we were out in that area I got the name wrong and ended up at a Baja Fresh. After a less than satisfying meal, I realized that I should have searched for Baja Fish Tacos instead.

Fortunately, I also found out that there is a Baja Fish Tacos in Norco.

Baja Fish Tacos - Norco

Baja Fish Tacos - Norco

Baja Fish Tacos has quickly become one of our favorite places. We have tried all of the tacos (fish, shrimp, carne asada and chicken), and they are all awesome.

Here are a few pictures of the interior and the food:

Baja Fish Tacos - Norco

Baja Fish Tacos - Norco

Baja Fish Tacos - Norco

Baja Fish Tacos - Norco

Chips are extra, but they are always warm and you get them right when you order. The salsas are great. The roasted tomato is my favorite, but I also like the roasted tomatillo.

Baja Fish Tacos - Norco

During her first visit, my wife ordered a green salad to go along with her meal, but realized that the salad is the size of a meal all by itself.

Baja Fish Tacos - Norco

The carne asada nachos are full of delicious carne asada. They normally come with pinto beans, but I ask for the black beans instead.

Baja Fish Tacos - Norco

The Charbroiled Fish Tacos are my wife’s favorite. You can also order the fish blackened or “Ensenada Style” (beer batter).

Baja Fish Tacos - Norco

I’ve tried the carne asada enchiladas a few times…

Baja Fish Tacos - Norco

… but my favorite items are the carne asada and chicken tacos. As usual, I order them plain and add my favorite salsa. The carne asada is consistently awesome.

Baja Fish Tacos - Norco

Baja Fish Tacos - Norco

In addition to Norco, you can find Baja Fish Tacos in these cities: Costa Mesa, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Long Beach, Mission Viejo, Orange, Santa Ana, Brea

Baja Fish Tacos
2335 Hamner Ave
Norco, CA
bajafishtacos.com

The Hat, Glendora

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Water polo often takes us out to Citrus College in Glendora. The Hat on Route 66 is our usual post-tournament meal.

The Hat, Glendora

If you’re familiar with The Hat in Rancho Cucamonga, Murrieta or any of the other Southern California locations, then you know what this place is all about: Pastrami.

The Hat, Glendora

Pastrami on chili cheese fries…

The Hat, Glendora - Chili Cheese & Pastrami Fries

Pastrami Dip…

The Hat, Glendora - Pastrami Dip

Onion rings topped with chili, cheese and pastrami…

The Hat, Glendora - Chili Cheese & Pastrami Onion Rings

We are usually at the mercy of the tournament schedule, so sometimes we get to go when it isn’t too crowded. But if you want to go during lunch, expect a crowd.

The Hat, Glendora

The Hat
611 W. Route 66
Glendora, CA
www.thehat.com

Templo Del Sol in Riverside – AMAZING Carnitas and Tacos Al Pastor

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My first restaurant post of the New Year is about one of my favorite places to get tacos… Templo Del Sol in Riverside.

I opened with almost the same sentence when I wrote about Josie’s Tacos in 2014. Why? Because when Josie’s closed, the recipe for my favorite tacos al pastor transferred over to Templo Del Sol.

Templo Del Sol Outside

Templo Del Sol Outside

Templo Del Sol Inside

Josie’s Tacos and Templo Del Sol shared common ownership…

josies-tacos-owner-sign

… so the person who made the al pastor (delicious, marinated pork) at Josie’s is now here.

This makes me very happy because the al pastor is AMAZING.

Templo Del Sol Al Pastor Tacos

Unfortunately, al pastor isn’t always available, which I learned on a recent trip. However, after they found out how much I liked it, they made some for me for my next visit. I love small restaurants.

Templo Del Sol Al Pastor Tacos

After trying the al pastor at Josie’s for the first time, I never ordered anything else. When the al pastor wasn’t available here, I was forced to try something different. That is when I learned that Templo Del Sol also makes AMAZING carnitas.

Seriously, Templo Del Sol makes the best al pastor and carnitas I have ever tried.

Templo Del Sol Carnitas Taco

Although I’m focusing on the al pastor and carnitas, Templo Del Sol has much more to offer.  Here are a few more items we have tried:

Fried Burrito:

Templo Del Sol Fried Burrito

Chorizo and Eggs:

Templo Del Sol Chorizo and Eggs

Carne Asada Enchiladas (another of my favorites):

Templo Del Sol Enchiladas

Chicken Taquitos with plenty of meat:

Templo Del Sol Taquitos

Templo Del Sol Chicken Taquito

Chips and salsa:

Templo Del Sol Chips and Salsa

If you like Mexican food, this place is definitely worth a try. PLEASE order the al pastor so they will have to make it all the time.

Templo Del Sol
1365 University Ave.
Riverside, CA
www.templodelsolrestaurant.com

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit – Coming Soon to Riverside Plaza

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I have become a huge fan of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Eastvale.  In fact, Dickey’s has overtaken Famous Dave’s as my favorite place for barbecue.

Later this month (hopefully), I will have two Dickey’s locations to choose from… Eastvale and Riverside Plaza. I have heard that the tentative opening date for the new Riverside Plaza location is 10/30/14.

IMG_1710--dickeys-riverside-plaza

The food at Dickey’s is consistently amazing, and I am looking forward to the grand opening. Here is some of what you can expect:

IMG_5227--dickeys-riverside-plaza

IMG_6533--dickeys-riverside-plaza

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
3540 Riverside Plaza Drive, Suite 314
Riverside, CA

Burger Boss, Norco

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A few years ago, I wrote about this amazing burger place in Riverside by the name of Burger Boss. It quickly became my family’s favorite burger place.

Since it is near the border of Moreno Valley, Burger Boss is a bit of a drive for us. Fortunately, there is now a Burger Boss in Norco.

** The Norco location is no longer open, but the Riverside location is still there. **

Burger Boss - Norco

There are a few things you should know about Burger Boss:

  • The employees are extremely friendly.
  • The place is exceptionally clean.
  • The food is natural, fresh and AMAZING.

Burger Boss - Norco

From the website: “Always Fresh, Never Frozen GRASS FED BEEF raised naturally without antibiotics or growth hormones.”

Burger Boss - Norco

Step up to the counter and order your burger… beef, chicken, turkey or black bean. Although the kids and I don’t consider it an actual burger, the wife loves the black bean burger.

Burger Boss - Norco

Here is a double beef burger with cheese, turkey bacon and barbecue sauce. For my fellow bacon lovers, don’t be discouraged by the turkey bacon. It is awesome.

Burger Boss Norco

Here is a black bean “burger” with pepper jack cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. Those are sweet potato fries on the side.

Burger Boss Norco

If you have given up bread like I have, you can also order your burger in a lettuce wrap, lettuce bowl, or all by itself. I love a good salad, but I can do without the lettuce on my burger.

Burger Boss Norco

Bun or no bun, Burger Boss makes our favorite burgers.

The shakes are awesome too, or so I’m told by my sons. We learned on our most recent trip that shakes are gone for some reason…

…but they added the option to “boss your fries”.

Burger Boss Norco

Burger Boss Norco

Burger Boss – Norco
490 Hidden Valley Parkway
Norco, CA 92879
www.burgerboss.com

First Day at Famous Dave’s Riverside

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The first time I ate at Famous Dave’s, I was hooked. I could hardly contain my excitement when I found out that a location was going to open in the Galleria at Tyler in Riverside.

Famous Dave's - Riverside

I don’t normally attend friends and family events when a new restaurant opens, but there was no way I was going to miss this. Thank you to Famous Dave’s Riverside for the invitation.

** This location is closed. The first location we ever visited in Rancho Cucamonga is still there.

Famous Dave's Riverside Invitation

The first thing I noticed about this Famous Dave’s, is that it doesn’t look like any of the other locations I have visited. I’ll call it modern rustic, because there is a still a lot of wood, but it is definitely more upscale. No checkered tablecloths here.

Famous Dave's Riverside

If you have never eaten at Famous Dave’s, definitely make sure you receive the sauce tour so you can find out which sauce is your favorite. My favorite is the Devil’s Spit, while my wife likes the Georgia Mustard.

Famous Dave's Riverside

In addition to the more upscale interior, this Famous Dave’s also has a nicer presentation. I’m used to Famous Dave’s serving food on platters with checkered paper. Not here.

Famous Dave's Riverside

After our salads, we had Dave’s Sampler Platter – Southside Rib Tips, Chicken Tenders, Sweetwater Catfish Fingers, Onion Strings and Traditional Wings. We were encouraged to order this so the kitchen could get used to making everything, but it was way more than we could eat if we wanted to save room for our lunch.

Famous Dave's Riverside

Famous Dave’s is all about the barbecue. This is a St. Louis Rib-N-Meat combo with a Hot Link Sausage. The ribs normally come with Dave’s original Rich & Sassy sauce, but my wife orders them naked (no sauce) so she can add the Georgia Mustard sauce instead. I stole the Hot Link.

Famous Dave's Riverside

The ribs were big, tender and flavorful, and deserved to have a close-up.

Famous Dave's Riverside

Texas Beef Brisket. This is what keeps me coming back to Famous Dave’s.

Famous Dave's Riverside

The brisket was so tender, that I could break it apart with my fork. I have never visited Famous Dave’s without getting the brisket, and I’m pretty sure that I never will.

Famous Dave's Riverside

Famous Dave’s opens to the public on Tuesday, September 2nd. If you attend the grand opening, I just might see you there.

Famous Dave’s Riverside
3775 Tyler St. (at the Tyler mall by the AMC Theatres)
Riverside, CA

Famous Dave’s Riverside – Coming Soon?

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Update 08/30/14: Click here for a preview of Famous Dave’s Riverside.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Could it be true? My favorite barbecue restaurant is coming to Riverside?

Famous Dave’s Riverside… I like the sound of that.

If this sign is any indication, it appears that I will be visiting the Tyler Mall more frequently than ever before:

Famous Dave's Riverside

The sign is in between Robbins Brothers and Yard House:

Famous Dave's Riverside

Although there are currently no doors or windows where this sign is located, there appears to be a vacant spot behind that little sign (according to a map on the Galleria at Tyler’s website):

Famous Dave's Riverside

If you’re not familiar with Famous Dave’s, read our post about the Rancho Cucamonga location (Famous Dave’s – Rancho Cucamonga) or visit www.famousdaves.com.

I am looking forward to my favorite brisket being so close to home.

Famous Dave's Brisket

Famous Dave’s Riverside
3775 Tyler St. # 1B
Riverside, CA

Josie’s Tacos – Riverside, CA

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My first post of the New Year is about one of my favorite places to get tacos… Josie’s Tacos in Riverside.

Josie's Tacos - Riverside

Josie’s Tacos resides in its own little building on Magnolia. Although the building has seen better days, Josie’s Tacos still gets an “A” grade.

Josie's Tacos - A Rating

The interior is also kind of old, but who cares what it looks like if the food is good, right?

Josie's Tacos - Inside

Although you order at the counter, they bring the food to you. I opt for the hot salsa with my chips.

Josie's Tacos - Chips and Salsa

There are many choices on the menu, but with tacos in the name of the restaurant, I always choose tacos. My favorite tacos are the crispy al pastor tacos with lettuce and cheese. These tacos make my favorites list in two categories: Best crunchy tacos and best al pastor.

What is al pastor? Pork… marinated, delicious pork.

Josie's Tacos - Tacos Al Pastor

The bad news is that Josie’s is currently for sale. I have tried to nail down how long it will remain open, but I have only heard that it could be a few weeks to possibly a few months.

For Sale

The good news is that the same owners own Templo Del Sol on University in Riverside. I have been told that any items on Josie’s menu that aren’t on Templo Del Sol’s menu will be added. That is good news because Templo Del Sol doesn’t serve my tacos al pastor (I checked).

Josie's Tacos and Templo Del Sol

Stay tuned for my post about Templo Del Sol.

Josie’s Tacos
9782 Magnolia
Riverside