Johnny's Burgers - Riverside, CA

CLOSED January(?), 2025

3394 Madison St

Visited July 29, 2013

Johnny's sits at the busy Madison and Indiana intersection competing against the corporate monsters In-N-Out and McDonald's and Farmer Boy a block south yet it manages to pack in the locals even before noon.  You don't thrive much less survive in this ultra-competitive arena if you aren't doing something right.

Big Tuna – Riverside, CA

CLOSED January 28(?), 2025

4270 Riverwalk Pkwy #100

Established 2009

Visited September 17, 2013. Multiple visits

Pokilicious - Riverside, CA

CLOSED January 31(?), 2025

4290 Riverwalk Pkwy Ste 306

Established 2016

Visited October 30, 2018

I anticipated a light density meal with minimal protein but what I got was a complete stomach expanding meal.

T.G.I. Friday's - Riverside, CA

CLOSED October 24(?), 2024

https://abc7.com/post/tgi-fridays-closing-several-us-southern-california-locations-prepares-bankruptcy/15469424/

3487 Tyler Mall St

Visited June 5, 2013

I had seen the repeated commercial for the Jack Daniel's Burger and it became ingrained in mind so when I arrived, I knew what I was ordering.  However  the menu has the calorie count for each item which gave me pause on ordering the burger.

Morefire Thai Cuisine - Riverside, CA

CLOSED July 2, 2024

https://www.facebook.com/people/Morefire-Thai-Cuisine/100063644378624/ 

2955 Van Buren Blvd

Established 2013

Visited November 17, 2015

Casual sit down service. The decor would suggest they attempted to take it to the next level but the heart lacks.

Teriyaki Plus - Riverside, CA

CLOSED March 31, 2023

7120 Indiana Ave

Visited September 13, 2018

I would surmise from the name that this eatery offers mostly Japanese food but alas it offers predominately Americanized Chinese food.

Punjab Palace - Riverside, CA

CLOSED May 30(?), 2022

10359 Magnolia Ave

 

Established 2003

 

Visited August 21, 2014

Indian food doesn't cover the landscape in Southern California as other ethnic restaurants.

Leon's Mexican Food - Riverside, CA

CLOSED December 3, 2020

https://www.facebook.com/p/Leons-Mexican-Food-100031324405100/ 

Visited October 31, 2018

Leon's is smack dab in the middle of a residential street. It's unexpected and out of place. It's run by Mexican Americans and home to retired Mexican Americans.  It's a place for the locals.

Dexter's Deli - Riverside, CA

CLOSED July 31(?), 2020 

6733 Indiana Ave

Established January 15, 2018

Visited September 12, 2018

Delis need to offer sandwiches a cut above Subway and/or they need to be different that customers will seek them out. How does Dexter do?

 

 

Jumbo Bowl Cafe - Riverside, CA

CLOSED Mid(?) 2018

7207 Arlington Ave # F

Jumbo Bowl sets itself apart from the traditional Thai restaurants with cleanliness and bright decor but it's sanitized to the extent it doesn’t distinguish itself or have a trademark that sets it apart from the competition.

Gol Brazilian Restaurant - Riverside, CA

CLOSED December 31(?), 2016

10436 Magnolia Ave

Gol offers a limited buffet selection. You can choose the all you can eat buffet for $20 or you can choose to buy by the pound at $10/lb.

Super Mex - Riverside, CA

CLOSED 9/11/2016

3444 Arlington Ave

Frequented by police and fire fighters, today it had significantly more white than Hispanic customers. I suppose it's a place where it's as safe as it can get in gang riddled Riverside.