Ever since entering college, I’ve always been on the lookout for new places to eat. After being buried in class, books, and extra curricular activities all day, no adventure is as satisfying as a food adventure. Every city has their fair share of hidden restaurant gems, so if you ever feel like expanding your choices beyond the University Village, check out these places!
1. Tummy Stuffer
This sandwich shop is hidden in the business district of Iowa St. in Riverside, but their “101 sandwiches” will keep you coming back for more. Yes, they really have 101 choices! They offer a wide range of choices for meat lovers and vegetarians in two different sizes, 8 inch and 12 inch. Prices range from about $5-$8, so your tummy will definitely be stuffed without running your wallet dry.
2. Chicken Run
I have yet to try this place, but I have heard many positive reviews about it. How can you ever go wrong with fried chicken? This restaurant is located at the border of Riverside, close to Moreno Valley. They offer a range of chicken platters, such as waffles & chicken and chicken burritos, along with sides such as garlic mashed potatoes and mac & cheese. Yelp currently has a deal for $6 for $10 worth of food, so if you’re ever feeling like trying a more home-style type of fried chicken restaurant, this is the place to go!
3. Mongolian BBQ
Calling all meat and carb lovers! This all you can eat Mongolian BBQ place is definitely worth the price of $8.99 (this is an all day, every day deal!). Located in Moreno Valley, here, you will be getting unlimited, and completely customizable plates of meats, sauces, vegetables, and noodles/rice, for the price of one.
4. Augie’s Coffee House
Coffee, latte art, tea, pastries, this little coffee shop in Downtown Riverside has it all. The atmosphere here is a mixture of a 90’s diner with a modern hippie feel; a great place to study, catch up with a friend, or just to grab a morning “wake-me-up” cup of coffee. Their unique drink choices such as honey cinnamon latte and vanilla brewed tea definitely won’t disappoint.
5. Sucree
One word: macarons. These little pretty patties have made a name for themselves as of late in the food industry, and people everywhere are raving about them. Los Angeles and Orange County are the usual go-to places to purchase these pastries, but do not fear, for this bakery located in Redlands is close by! About a 15 mile drive from UCR, this is the only bakery within a 40 mile radius that offer macarons, not to mention they have over 200 different flavors, about 25 of them rotating everyday.