FOOD: The guide to not having to pick the green stuff out of your food.
By Lily Mitchell, Staff Writer
No one likes to admit that they are a picky eater, but let’s get real here. Unless you are a human vacuum cleaner, all of those pesky fruits and vegetables only get in the way of the good stuff. Carbs, sugar and fat, oh my!
Telling a restaurant what not to put on your food is a total hassle. Life would be great if we could survive on macaroni and cheese, pizza and bean and cheese burritos. All of this accompanied by the occasional binge on Cheez-its and Flaming Hot Cheetos of course. So where do we find the best of these things in Riverside, California? Now, in Riverside there aren’t a lot of restaurants that fall into the “hole-in-the-wall,” little-slice-of-heaven category, but several chain restaurants sprinkled throughout the city’s blocks are a picky eater’s paradise. Bon appetit!
So, you had a rough day? Maybe it is just cold and rainy. This list has you covered in the creamy noodle department.
- Macaroni and cheese from Panera: This one is divine and possibly the ultimate comfort food. The cheese pools inside each little noodle shell, making for unmatched warmth and delectability.
- Fettuccine Alfredo from The Old Spaghetti Factory: Add chicken, broccoli and mushrooms if you are feeling adventurous.
- Fettuccine Alfredo from Market Broiler: This one is some tight competition for The Old Spaghetti Factory.
- Survival tip: If the place really has nothing, get the kids’ mac and cheese. Who cares if you can’t pass for a fifth grader?
Now that you know where to find some creamy pasta, let’s shift focus to another cheesy essential, pizza.
The best thing about pizza is that it can be ordered in any way imaginable. Pizza always has your back. You can basically get a decent pizza anywhere, but for the true Riversider, your staple doughy (or crusty) goodness comes from Blaze Pizza, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) and Canyon Crust. Canyon Crust, located in the Canyon Crest Towne Centre, may not be as well-known in the city—or based at the Riverside Plaza hotspot—but do not underestimate its ability to serve you the picky eater’s favorite entrée.
Picky eaters can thank Mexico for inventing the bean and cheese burrito. This quintessential food has an exceptional presence in Riverside, and the following list shows you where to go when you’re in the mood for happiness wrapped in a tortilla.
- Tio’s Mexican Food (located across from Martin Luther King High School and boasts the best beans)
- Baker’s Drive Thru (the perfect, balanced, on-the-fly burrito)
- Anchos Southwest Grill & Bar (heavenly tortillas but only available in the kids’ meal)
- Miguel’s Jr. (for the serious cheese lover)
After a trip to any of these places to satisfy your burrito craving, it will be clear: Not all burritos are created equal.
Remember, if the menu fails to deliver on any key foods to your picky eater palette (including but not limited to these), order dessert for dinner instead.