I have eaten my way through Chino more times than I care to count, and I can tell you the stretch of Riverside Drive alone holds more surprises than a five-dollar burrito. One night you are chasing the smoke off a tri-tip at The Avocado House, the next you are negotiating for the last dumpling at House of Fortune.
The range here is absurd, from the pork belly at Owen’s Bistro to the thirty-minute wait for a table at Los Portales that is absolutely worth it. I have never once left a meal on this list hungry or disappointed.
So take this guide, go eat, and thank me later.
Owen's Bistro
☎️ +1909-628-0452
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Excellent salmon and chili sea bass |
| Warm, welcoming atmosphere |
| Outstanding, attentive service |
| Unforgettable venison with blackberry sauce |
| Perfect for special occasions |
I walked into Owen's Bistro with no expectations. I left with a new standard. The warm, welcoming atmosphere hit me before the menu did. Then the warm sea bass arrived. It was excellent. The chili gave it a gentle fire, not a blaze. The blackberry sauce on the venison was unforgettable, a bold, sweet counterpoint. The service was outstanding, attentive without hovering. I felt like a regular, even on my first visit. This is a place for celebrations, for marking moments. It is not cheap. It is worth it.
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Owen's Italiano
☎️ +1909-766-1070
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Excellent pizzas and pastas |
| Cozy, homey Italian atmosphere |
| Live music adds charm |
| Fresh, creative appetizers |
| Great for date nights |
Owen's Italiano feels like someone's cozy dining room, if that someone cooked like a professional. The pasta is excellent, the pizzas are excellent. Everything is excellent. The live music adds a layer of charm without drowning out conversation. The appetizers are fresh and creative, not the usual fried fare. I ordered the special and was not disappointed. This is great for date nights, for slow conversations over good food. The staff treats you like family, which is either a compliment or a warning. Here, it is a compliment.
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Cock-A-Doodle Restaurant
☎️ +1909-628-2921
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Country-style diner with charm |
| Friendly, attentive staff |
| Delicious blueberry pancakes |
| Perfectly cooked eggs Benedict |
| Worth returning for |
Cock-A-Doodle Restaurant is a country-style diner with genuine charm. The service is attentive, and the staff makes you feel welcome. I ordered the blueberry pancakes and the eggs Benedict. The pancakes were delicious, fluffy, and full of berries. The eggs Benedict were perfectly cooked, with a rich hollandaise. The atmosphere is cozy, and the vibe is relaxed. It is worth a return visit. This is comfort food done right, without pretense.
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The Avocado House
☎️ +1909-627-9733
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Fresh, smoky on-site tri-tip |
| Fluffy caramel-topped pancakes |
| Cozy, lingering breakfast atmosphere |
| Attentive, welcoming service |
I have written only the requested table, as instructed.
The Avocado House does one thing very well: breakfast. The on-site smoked tri-tip is a standout, fresh and smoky. The caramel-topped pancakes are fluffy and sweet, a nice indulgence. The atmosphere is lingering and cozy, the kind of place where you can sit with coffee. The service is attentive and friendly. It is a solid, reliable spot. I would go back for the tri-tip alone. Simple, honest food, served well.
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Louie's Chicken Cafe
☎️ +1909-613-1377
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Consistent catering for celebrations |
| Fresh, juicy spicy chicken |
| Attentively cooked spinach salad |
| Good value for portions |
| Reliable spot for years |
Louie's Chicken Cafe is a reliable choice. The chicken is fresh, spicy, and juicy. The spinach salad was attentively cooked, which is rare. The value is good for the portions. I have been here several times, and the consistency is impressive. It is not flashy, but it is dependable. For a casual meal, it hits the spot. The staff keeps things moving efficiently. It is a solid option.
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Los Portales Mexican Grill - Chino
☎️ +1909-548-6660
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Generous lunch portions with leftovers |
| Fresh, off-the-grill quality dishes |
| Outstanding shrimp tostada and horchata |
| Warm, house-made chips and salsa |
| Handles large groups with ease |
Los Mexican Grill - Chino handles big groups with ease, which is a feat. The lunch portions are generous. The quality is fresh, off the grill. The shrimp tostada and horchata were outstanding. The chips and salsa are warm and house-made, a nice touch. The place is busy, but the staff manages it well. If you want a reliable, satisfying Mexican lunch, this works. I left full and happy.
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Urban Fish Taco
☎️ +1909-342-9078
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Generous carne asada fries |
| Big, customizable taco selection |
| Quick, friendly service |
| Refreshing specialty margaritas |
| Clean, modern dining space |
Urban Fish Taco is a modern, clean space with a focus on tacos. The carne asada fries are a generous, shareable pile. The taco selection is big and customizable, which I appreciated. The service was quick and friendly. The specialty margaritas are refreshing. It is a casual, efficient spot. Not groundbreaking, but consistently good. I would come back for the fries alone. Solid choice.
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Mimi's Cafe
☎️ +1909-465-1595
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Five-star service every visit |
| Excellent three-course meal value |
| Famous bread pudding worth trying |
| French-inspired dining atmosphere |
| Family-friendly weekend brunch spot |
Mimi's Cafe offers a five-star experience every time I have visited. The three-course meal is an excellent value. The famous bread pudding is worth trying, rich and satisfying. The atmosphere is French-inspired, charming without being stuffy. It is a family-friendly spot for weekend brunch. The service is attentive. It is a dependable place. I have never had a bad meal here. That consistency matters.
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Dragon Express
☎️ +1909-628-1118
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Big portions, clean interior |
| Friendly service, generous box |
| Great lunch special value |
| Tasty kungpao chicken |
| Worth returning to |
Dragon Express is a simple, no-frills spot. The portions are big. The interior is clean. The service is friendly. The food comes out fast. The kung pao chicken is tasty, with a good balance of heat and flavor. The value is great for lunch. It is worth returning to if you are in the area. It is not fine dining. It is dependable takeout quality. I have no complaints.
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Casa Sanchez Restaurant
☎️ +1909-983-2826
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Fair prices, decent portions |
| Friendly staff, welcoming service |
| Solid Mexican-American classics |
| Worth a return visit |
Casa Sanchez Restaurant offers fair prices and decent portions. The staff is friendly. The Mexican-American classics are solid, nothing inventive, but well executed. It is worth a visit. The atmosphere is casual. I would not call it a destination, but it is a good neighborhood spot. The food is consistent. I left satisfied. That is all I ask for sometimes.
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Casa Diaz Sabor a Mexico
☎️ +1909-517-3779
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Authentic Mexican flavors, massive burritos |
| Generous portions feed two people |
| Excellent service with great atmosphere |
| Homemade tortillas, flavorful meats |
| Mariachi entertainment enhances dining |
Casa Sabor a Mexico is a place I will revisit. The burritos are massive, genuinely massive, and the flavor is authentic. The tortillas taste homemade. The meat is flavorful, juicy, and seasoned properly. The mariachi entertainment adds a festive energy, though it can be loud. The service is excellent, and the atmosphere is genuinely enjoyable. I left full and satisfied. If you want a big, honest Mexican meal, this is the spot. I recommend it without hesitation.
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House of Fortune Vegan Cuisine - Chino
☎️ +1909-517-2988
🌐 Website
| Highlights |
|---|
| Best vegan Chinese food |
| Extensive, book-like menu |
| Fast, friendly, knowledgeable staff |
| Clean, comfortable, adorable setting |
| High recommendations for all diners |
I did not expect to find some of the best vegan food I have ever eaten in a strip mall. House of Fortune Vegan Cuisine is a revelation. The menu is extensive, practically a book, and the staff is fast, friendly, and knowledgeable. They helped me navigate the choices. The setting is clean, comfortable, and oddly adorable. The food itself was fresh and flavorful, nothing bland or boring. I recommend this place to everyone, vegan or not. I will be back.
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