Restaurant Guide Main Index
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- Date indicates the most recent update of the restaurants listed
- Bold indicates my recommendations; others come from what I consider to be good sources
Chino
Centro Basco–13432 Central Ave. (Basque) Closed Mon & Tue, closed Sat lunch (and closed from 2 to 5 pm weekdays). Basque food that reviewers say is better than in Nevada & Idaho. Has a regular menu with traditional dishes any time. Has a special menu that takes advantage of seasonal dishes, but it is not always available (but there is always a special dinner the first Friday of the month and a special lunch the last Saturday of the month). Map (Dining room is open 9-27-22)
Coachella
Carnitas La Piedad–49625 Cesar Chavez St. (Mexican) Breakfast & Lunch only (closed Tue & Wed). Small menu with carnitas being the specialty. Reviewers say not only is this very good, but many other items as well. Cheese enchiladas are topped with chile that is not wimpy. Map (Dining room is open 9-27-22)
Colton
Gul Naz–1624 E. Washington St. (Pakistani) Closed Mon. Serves halal food with what is described as very good herbs and spices. People say everything is very delicious. Map (Dining room is open 10-7-22)
Island Breeze–1063 S. Mt Vernon Ave. (Jamaican) Closes at 6:30 pm weekdays–7:30 Fri & Sat (closed Sun). Jamaican food that seems to be done the right way. Map (Dining room is open 10-7-22)
Maharajah–1091 S. Mt. Vernon Ave. (Indian) Closed Tue (and closed from 3 to 5 pm). Formerly called Ravi’s. Family run restaurant with very good food. Thali is recommended (sampler plate). Map (Dining room is open 2-20-22)
Corona
Dosalicious–2284 Griffin Way (Indian) Closed Mon (and closed from 2 to 5 pm). Reviewers say it has an excellent dosa menu. Kerala paratha is recommended (from the non-dosa menu). Map (Dining room is open 1-2-22)
Kabob Hutt–165 Washburn Cir. (Persian) Open Daily. Has my favorites (such as ghormeh sabzi) but has quite a few other items that I have not seen on other menus, and which look like they would be well worth trying. Map (Dining room is open 1-2-22)
Min’s Dumpling House–1297 E. Ontario Ave. (Chinese) Open Daily. Several types of good dumplings, but xiao long bao is recommended (several say this is the next best XLB to Din Tai Fung, which is the best). They are glad they have a place like this in Corona. Also has a location at 440 N. McKinley St. Map (Dining room is open 10-7-22)
Eastvale
Little Eastern Cafe–4910 Hamner Ave. (Chinese) Open daily 11 am to 8:30 pm. Reviewers say it has a real Chinese flavor. Menu is not extensive (especially with authentic items) but it does seem to have so good dishes such as yu xiang pork, braised tofu, and boiled fish in chili sauce. Map (Dining room is open 10-7-22)
Loma Linda
A Dong–25685 Redlands Blvd. (Cambodian) Closed Mon. Vietnamese restaurant that supposedly also serves Cambodian food (but this isn’t reflected by reviews I have seen). People respect it because it has been in business for a long time and remained consistent. Map (Dining room is open 2-20-22)
R Thai Cuisine–25685 Redlands Blvd. (Thai) Open Daily. Thai people say it is authentic. Mom & pop place that sometimes has snags in the food or service because they have a large number of customers (but mostly they manage to keep up). Map (Dining room is open 10-7-22)
Note: Loma Linda is well known for having a large vegetarian population, but I could not find a large number of vegetarian restaurants listed. Tess’ Place was popular but now is apparently closed. The best bets seem to be Thai and Chinese restaurants in Redlands and San Bernardino (R Thai in Loma Linda has some vegetarian dishes, and probably A Dong as well).
Montclair
Szechuwan Garden–8851 Central Ave. (Chinese) Open daily (open until 9:30 pm). In a search for an actual authentic Chinese restaurant in the Inland Empire I found this place–supposedly has very good Sichuanese food that will save you a trip to Monterey Park. Menu sounds good, and food looks good. Map (Dining room is open 1-2-22)
Norco
Cowgirl Cafe–2859 Hamner Ave. (American) Open daily 6 am to 1 pm. Known mainly for its breakfast–reviewers say it is better than the other choices in the area. Chicken fried steak and biscuits & gravy are popular items. Map (Dining room is open 10-7-22)
Palm Desert
Alps Village–77734 Country Club Dr. (German) Dinner only (closed Sun). Located in a strip mall, it is certainly not upscale although reviewers say it is a little pricey. Good reviews, and I think it looks interesting because popular items include jagerschnitzel, cabbage rolls, spaetzle, and real German pretzels. Map (Dining room is open 10-7-22)
Flor de Jalisco–42215 Washington St. (Mexican) Open 11:30 am to 9 pm (closed Sun). Reviewers say food is delicious and authentic. Has a varied menu including mole. The negative ratings I saw were for the service (not the food). This is a down home restaurant (not a touristy one). Map (Dining room is open 2-20-22)
Palm Springs
Boozehounds–2080 N. Palm Canyon Dr. (Asian Fusion) Dinner daily; Lunch Fri-Sun. Menu is New American/California style with about a third of the items being Asian influenced. Has dog friendly patio with menu items specifically for dogs. I think it is more of a fun and casual place than one that is trying to impress you with their food (but I like Asian so to me it looks good). Map (Dining room is open 9-27-22)
533 Viet Fusion–1775 E. Palm Canyon Dr. (Vietnamese) Dinner only (closed Mon). Web site says it is a mix of traditional and modern Vietnamese dishes. Has a large spring roll menu, pho, vermicelli dishes, banh xeo, bun bo hue, and other very traditional dishes but that are not found in many Vietnamese restaurants. Also has pad thai, ramen, and I think other fusion items. Reviews indicate that the pho is the best in PS but another attraction is the large selection of items that you cannot find elsewhere. Owners are not Vietnamese but they have a reputation in the community as having good food. Map (Dining room is open 3-1-24)
El Mirasol–140 E. Palm Canyon Dr. (Mexican) Closed Mon & Tue. Maybe the best Mexican food in Palm Springs. Seems to be California style. Map (Dining room is open 4-17-24)
Fuzion Five–285 S. Palm Canyon Dr. (Vietnamese) Closed Tue. Perhaps the best choice for traditional Vietnamese dishes such as banh xeo. Higher prices, though, than most visitors would find in their home town. Map (Dining room is open 9-27-22)
Jake’s–664 N. Palm Canyon Dr. (American) Closed Sun dinner & Mon. Upscale soup and sandwiches with items such as Hangar steak and eggs sandwich. Map (Dining room is open 4-17-24)
Lulu California Bistro–200 S. Palm Canyon Dr. (American) Open Daily. Has an array of upscale American food. Featured on Gil’s Blog (some dishes that look good include oven roasted turkey and filet mignon. Map (Dining room is open 4-17-24)
Pomme Frite–256 S. Palm Canyon Dr. (Belgian) Dinner only (closed Tue & Wed); lunch on Sat & Sun. Pommes frites, stroganoff, chicken vol au vent. Some reviewers say the main courses are the best items here (not so much the pommes frites, salads, etc.). Map (Dining room is open 4-17-24)
Rooster And The Pig–356 S. Indian Canyon Dr. (Vietnamese) Dinner only (closed Mon & Tue). Menu is not large and they do not serve standard items such as pho and vermicelli bowls. What they do have are items that are not found in many Vietnamese restaurants (some may be fusion such as charred brussel sprouts but some look Viet style and just hard to find in other restaurants). They have a jasmine tea leaf dish which I think might be Cambodian. Note: restaurant requires a vaccine passport or negative Covid test. Map (Dining room is open 3-1-24)
Shanghai Reds Bar & Grill–235 S. Indian Canyon Ddr. (Seafood) Dinner only (closed Mon & Tue). Known for its fish tacos. This is probably a good place to get good food and not spend as much money as at the average Palm Springs restaurant. Map (Dining room is open 4-17-24)
Sherman’s Deli & Bakery–401 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way (Deli) Open daily 8 am to 9 pm. Gil describes this as “an old-fashioned kosher-style Jewish deli to which savvy patrons pilgrimage from all over the world.” The food seems to bear out the claim. Also in Palm Desert. Map (Dining room is open 8-19-21)
Rancho Mirage
Catalan Mediterranean–70026 Hwy 111 (Spanish) Dinner only (open daily). Spanish tapas restaurant (they have a fixed-price tapas plate for $40 or you can order items separately). Almost all reviewers give it five stars. Map (Dining room is open 3-1-24)
Francesco’s Cafe–72047 Dinah Shore Dr. (Persian) Lunch only (closed Sun). This is an Italian and Persian restaurant, but reviewers recommend ordering from the Persian side of the menu. Ambiance is like a down home diner (but one reviewer said they charge $23 for a dinner–would probably be for something like the lamb chops). Map (Dining room is open 4-17-24)
Redlands
MU Restaurant–309 W. State St. (Thai) Closed Sat lunch; closed Sun & Mon. Vegetarian Thai food that many say is very authentic (they also have meat dishes). Note: closed between 3:00 and 4:30 in the afternoon. Map (Dining room is open 4-17-24)
Rui’s Shanghai Bistro–1711 W. Lugonia Ave. (Chinese) Closed Tue. Authentic food that people say tastes like the food in San Gabriel Valley, but with less menu selection. Their main food style is Shanghai, but others are offered as well (particularly Sichuan). Map (Dining room is open 1-2-22)
Thai Spoon Cafe–802 W. Colton Ave. (Thai) Closed Mon (and closed from 3 to 4 pm). Good reviews. I don’t know if it is totally authentic, but there are no indications in the reviews that it is not. Map (Dining room is open 10-7-22)
Riverside
Anchos Grill–10773 Hole Ave. (Mexican) Open Daily. Probably California style. Fresh tortillas. Some say the best meals are the ones with meat (steak, chicken, seafood, pork, etc.). Popular on Chowhound. Map (Dining room is open 3-1-24)
Best Thai–1735 Spruce St. (Thai) Open Daily. Very good reviews. Seems to be authentic. Reviewers say it is LA quality and that the vegetarian dishes are good. Map (Dining room is open 2-20-22)
Las Campanas–3649 Mission Inn Ave. (Mexican) Lunch Fri-Sun; dinner Wed-Sun. Located in the Mission Inn Hotel. There are some reasons this probably should not be on my list (it looks expensive, you probably need reservations, and I don’t know if it is truly authentic). The reasons maybe it should be on the list: whether or not it is authentic, it looks like high quality food (and it probably is authentic) and I’m looking for places that will provide a unique and memorable experience with Mexican food (and this may be one of those places). The combination plate looks good from the photos. A lot of the food looks non-traditional, so the trick is to find out if it is modified in a good way or a bad way (I’m not sure how it will be). Map (Dining room is open 11-16-21)
Mamma Mia–10971 Magnolia Ave. (Italian) Open daily except Sat lunch. Very favorable reviews about the food’s flavor and freshness. Popular items include pizza, lasagna, and meatballs. Map (Dining room is open 10-7-22)
Oasis Vegetarian Cafe–11550 Pierce St. (Vegetarian) Closed Sat (closes early Fri & Sun). Connected to La Sierra Natural Foods store, so the setting is much like a food court. Mainly has sandwiches and burritos, and they have good reviews. Map (Store is open with deli dining 2-20-22)
San Bernardino
Happy Family–2150 S. Waterman Ave. (Chinese) Open daily (closed from 3 to 5 pm weekdays). Vegetarian Chinese food that reviewers say is quite good (even those who do not normally eat vegetarian). Has a few meat items also. Map (Dining room is open 2-20-22)
Royal Dumpling House–1689 Kendall Dr. (Chinese) Closed Sat & Sun (and closed from 2:30 to 4:30 pm). Diners say they are excited to have authentic Chinese food in San Bernardino, although it does not seem to be as good as you can get in LA. Specializes in Shanghai style dumplings including XLB. This is a mom & pop restaurant, so you don’t get “conveyor belt” food as you do at some of the larger restaurants. Map (Dining room is open 10-7-22)
Temecula
Havana Kitchen–41955 5th St. (Cuban) Breakfast & lunch only–open to 7 pm on Sat. The big draw here is the Cuban coffee, but food gets equal compliments. Cuban sandwich is said to have the proper meat, sauce, and toppings that makes it both authentic and very good. Ropa vieja is popular. Sampler plate is recommended (and can probably feed 2 people). Map (Dining room is open 11-16-21)
Nuristan Food–27287 Nicolas Rd. (Afghan) Open Tue-Sun (closes early on Sun). Grocery store with a small restaurant that serves kabobs and other items (kabobs are fresh and natural, giving them a very good flavor). Note: Pamir Kabob House used to be a popular Afghan restaurant, but it apparently changed ownership and moved to San Diego (and now commenters recommend Nuristan even though it seems to have a smaller menu). Map (Dining room is open 8-19-21)
Upland
Ashirwad–583 E. Foothill Blvd. (Indian) Closed Mon. Vegetarian Indian restaurant with very good food (and reviewers seem to know Indian food). Masala dosa is recommended, but has a wide variety of good dishes. Has thali (sampler plate). Map (Dining room is open 10-4-21)
Victorville
Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe–17143 N. D St. (Burgers) Breakfast & lunch only (closed Sat afternoon & Sun). An old school diner on the historic Route 66. For breakfast biscuits & gravy, omelets, and Polish sausage are popular. Lunch favorites include burgers, milk shakes, open faced roast beef sandwich, etc. Map (Dining room is open 1-2-22)
La Casita–14969 CA-18 (Mexican) Closed Mon. Restaurant that started in City of Industry and has developed a loyal following since the 1960’s. Has chili verde, chili colorado, carne asada, carnitas, and other typical Mexican dishes. Also in Hesperia. Map (Dining room is open 1-2-22)
- For additional explanation of this list see Index
- Please feel free to leave your own comments or suggestions.
Sources:
Chowhound (former web site)
Eater Los Angeles “The 19 Essential Palm Springs Restaurants”
Gil’s Thrilling (and Filling Blog)
Google Maps
Urbanspoon.com (former web site which I used for preliminary research)