norco restaurant

Favorite Spots for Breakfast in Riverside County

January 5, 2020 by Ole Leave a Comment

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 in Riverside County:

Kountry Folks, Riverside – I owe this place a review because the Hungry Hank omelet is my new favorite.
Cowgirl Cafe, Norco – Friendly service. Best “scrambled” omelet. Good hashbrowns. Drinks come in mason jars.
Brandon’s Diner, Riverside (Magnolia) – Love the small, hole-in-the-wall diner feel. Great pancakes with warm syrup. Good omelets and hash browns.
Corky’s Kitchen, Corona – Open 24 hours. Big menu. Big servings.

Honorable mention: Ed’s Place in Glendora. The best hash browns I’ve ever eaten. This place would be high on my Riverside list, but unfortunately it’s not in Riverside.

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

Baja Fish Tacos – Norco

March 30, 2016 by Ole Leave a Comment

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 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:

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.

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.

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

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

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

… 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.

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

Cowgirl Cafe – Norco, CA

April 23, 2015 by Ole Leave a Comment

What do you do when you are at a tournament and have a break between games? When it’s an early morning break and we’re in Norco, we tend to end up at Cowgirl Cafe.

Here are a few pictures from recent visits:

“If you don’t see what you’re craving on the menu, Just ask!!”

You can definitely tell that you are in Horsetown USA.

I am a big fan of Mason jars.

Eggs, bacon, ham, sausage and cheese… This is actually an omelet that they were nice enough to scramble up for me.

My active sons need the carbs, which the pancakes and French toast plentifully provide.

Cowgirl Cafe
2859 Hamner Ave
Norco, CA
Cowgirl Cafe Norco on Facebook

Amazing brisket at Badlands BBQ in Norco

January 3, 2015 by Ole 4 Comments

My first post of 2015 is about one of my favorite subjects… Barbecue. I recently stumbled across Badlands BBQ in Norco, which is located in the spot formerly occupied by Hickory Joe’s Smokehouse.

Before I go on, let me cut to the chase…

Brisket.
Amazing Brisket.
Consistently Amazing Brisket.

While some of the fixtures remain from the Hickory Joe’s days, Badlands has an updated look. I like it much better now.

On my first visit, I tried the triple threat with brisket, baby back ribs and a hot link.

The real star for me was the brisket, which is what I order every time I visit Badlands. The brisket does not disappoint.

Sliced…

or chopped… the brisket is awesome.

Although I’m not a big fan of baby back ribs (I prefer the St. Louis style), the ribs were tender and meaty.

** Update: We went to Badlands a few hours after I posted this. We tried the ribs again, and they were devoured before I could even get a picture. Some of the best ribs I have ever eaten. **

Here’s another picture from a subsequent trip:

Each table has condiments, including two different barbecue sauces: Memphis Magic and Habanero Chipotle. I prefer the Habanero Chipotle, which is a little sweet with a hint of a kick.

There are a variety of sides to choose from, including onion strings, brisket baked beans and jalapeno bacon mac n cheese. For a little extra, you can also order a salad as one of your sides.

Although we haven’t tried everything, there is much more than brisket at Badlands, including…

Wings:

Burgers:

Chicken:

I plan to go back many times.

Badlands BBQ
120 Hidden Valley Pkwy, Suite D
Norco, CA
badlandsbarbecue.com

Burger Boss, Norco

September 19, 2014 by Ole 1 Comment

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. **

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Sixth Street Deli – Norco

July 31, 2012 by Ole Leave a Comment

I was really in the mood for a sandwich one day, but I wanted to try something new, so I consulted Google and found Sixth Street Deli in Norco.

Sixth Street Deli is tucked away in a small shopping center in the heart of Norco. Although I went for a sandwich, I found out that they also serve burgers, salads and more.

I have been to Sixth Street Deli about four times. On my first visit, I tried the pastrami. Pretty good. On my next two visits, I tried some of the cold sandwiches. The meat is great, but the bread is a bit too chewy for me. Also, the Italian oil is very overpowering. On my last visit I ordered the Manager’s special, which is hot turkey, bacon and cheese on white toast. Again, the meat and cheese were great, but it would have been much better on different bread.

If I hadn’t found Jersey Mike’s shortly after finding this place, I’m sure I would go back and just tweak my order a little bit.

Sixth Street Deli offers friendly service, fresh ingredients, plenty of seating, and more than just sandwiches.

Sixth Street Deli and Grill
1261 Sixth Street – Unit 8
Norco, CA 92860
www.sixthstdeli.com

Great Sandwiches at Jersey Mike’s in Norco

July 28, 2012 by Ole Leave a Comment

We have a new favorite sandwich place… Jersey Mike’s in Norco.

What is so great about this place?

Before I answer that question, let me give you a visual… you want a sandwich so you go to Subway… you order your sandwich and then watch as the “sandwich artist” takes a hunk of pre-sliced meat out of a bin, throws some on your bread, and then tosses the unused pieces back in the bin… after adding your produce, she takes the avocado or tuna covered knife that she used to cut the last person’s sandwich and attempts to cut your sandwich… she then looks at you funny when you ask her to please clean off the knife…

This scenario has played out in front of me many times. Never again.

The first thing you will probably notice at Jersey Mike’s is that they slice the meat and cheese for your sandwich right in front of you. They literally take the meat and cheese out of the refrigerator, put it on the slicer, and place the slices on your sandwich as you watch. Every time. They also cook the meat for your hot sandwich on the grill, not in the microwave.

The bread is also great. There is white and wheat, and both are a little crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside. Perfect sandwich bread.

On to the produce. Not as many choices as other places, but what they do have is fresh and abundant. They will always ask if you want the sandwich prepared Mike’s way (onions, lettuce, tomatoes, vinegar, oil and spices). If this isn’t what you want, just let them know.

I am still a fan of Togo’s, but Jersey Mike’s wins. Jersey Mike’s also beats all of the local sandwich places I have tried so far.

My personal favorites are the Club Sub (#8) and the Original Italian (#13):

I also like the Grilled Pastrami Reuben (#20) and the Famous Philly (#17).

If you want a great sandwich, go here. On second thought, go somewhere else… the line is already too long at lunch time.

Jersey Mike’s
1411 Hamner Ave. Suite 104
Norco, CA 92860
jerseymikes.com

Hickory Joe’s Smokehouse BBQ – Norco

January 15, 2012 by Ole 1 Comment

I like trying out restaurants that aren’t part of a large chain. Even if they don’t turn out to be good, I enjoy the experience of trying something new. Of course, I enjoy it even more if the food is good.

One place I am glad that I found is Hickory Joe’s Smokehouse BBQ in Norco.

Hickory Joe’s seems to be a single location business since there are no other locations listed on its website, but the contact information on its website is shared by a small chain of Italian restaurants. Small business or not, I like this place.

Why do I like this place? The tri-tip and the smoked sausage. Check out the smoke ring on this juicy tri-tip. The smoked sausage has just a little bit of spice and is already sliced when it is served.

Hickory Joe’s also has good sandwiches. My favorite is the Tri-Tip Deli Dip, which is essentially a beef dip sandwich made with the smoked tri-tip. I also like the BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich.

What else does Hickory Joe’s serve? Ribs, chicken, burgers, salads and a bunch of sides. I have only tried the ribs once, but my youngest son likes to order them. My wife and oldest son enjoy the BBQ Chicken. My daughter… well, she doesn’t like barbecue at all.

Hickory Joe’s Smokehouse BBQ
120 Hidden Valley Pkwy.
Norco, CA
(951) 273-7427
www.hickoryjoesbbq.com

Bob’s Big Boy – Norco, CA

November 21, 2009 by Ole Leave a Comment

Cowboy Bob was unveiled last week at Bob’s Big Boy in Norco. Bob is now sporting a cowboy hat and boots, along with a much bigger burger.

Cowboy Bob got the prime location by the front door, while poor regular Bob was moved to the side of the building.

We’ve been to Bob’s a few times over the past few months. Like a lot of people, I remember Bob’s from when I was a kid. Until we visited the Bob’s in Norco, I probably hadn’t been to one in 20+ years.

The boys like Bob’s food better than the girls, but we all agree that the hand-dipped shakes are worth the visit.