Good Restaurants

[Chili Palmer]

I’m in the San Dimas/La Verne area and after 30 years we’ve come to the conclusion that there’s no really good restaurants in the area, they’re mostly mediocre at best. We used to enjoy Joey’s BBQ, but they’ve gone way downhill, pizza places are all the same, there’s no Chicago style pizza around here. The steakhouses are all overpriced and crappy quality - I do a better steak at home. You can only do so much with a burger - we’ve gone to Eureka in Claremont for that. Mexican - we enjoy Los Jarritos in Pomona, but it’s got the ambiance of a cafeteria. We found Elvira’s in Claremont, a much nicer location and surroundings, but the food is more of a tourist/generic as far a flavor goes.

Do you guys have any suggestions for good food - I don’t mind driving and paying for good food. It’s just the mediocre food with the great food prices that really frustrate me. The Yelp reviews must be made by friends and family of the restaurants especially if you see all high rating and bad ratings with nothing in between.

Where do you guys like?

 

[Gramps]

Isn't / wasn't Joeys BBQ on Foothill in Upland? I want to thing that it was about 30 years ago and then it was good. Also there was/is a mexican restaurant on East End in Pomona that was good eats. In the 80's Cask and Cleaver in Upland was damn good.

 

[NicPaus]

That Elviras is good. Every time I am out at my friends house in Ontario try and go. Green chicken enchiladas and the fajitas are bomb. Good chips and salsa. Margaritas.

 

[Done-it-again]

Have had good food and mostly good service at these places In Claremont


Tutti Mangia
Gus’s BBQ
Viva Madrid
The Quarter Creole
The Meat Cellar


If you want about the best seafood restaurants you will need to drive

the fish company in Los Alamitos .

 

[TrollerDave]

Isn't / wasn't Joeys BBQ on Foothill in Upland? I want to thing that it was about 30 years ago and then it was good. Also there was/is a mexican restaurant on East End in Pomona that was good eats. In the 80's Cask and Cleaver in Upland was damn good.

Joeys had a few locations. I think it’s only the Chino one open now.

The Mexican food place on East End that you are probably talking about is Tropical Mexico. Good place to eat.

 

[Chili Palmer]

Have had good food and mostly good service at these places In Claremont


Tutti Mangia
Gus’s BBQ
Viva Madrid
The Quarter Creole
The Meat Cellar


If you want about the best seafood restaurants you will need to drive

the fish company in Los Alamitos .

I see you listed Gus’s BBQ, we were actually going to try that place out tonight.

 

[Done-it-again]

I see you listed Gus’s BBQ, we were actually going to try that place out tonight.

It’s better than Lucile's, but I do like Lucile’s bbq sauce. The service it’s mostly on point, but did have a fluke on our last trip, with a new waitress.

I’m having them cater our business Christmas party this year.

 

[rivermobster]

There is nothing better than home cooked food. You can't compare Any restaurant to that!

Unless we are talking about Sushi? WAY too much work to do at home!

I like SushiNi myself.

 

[Racer56]

Petrillo's Pizza, the best there is!

 

[NicPaus]

Joey in Manhattan Beach is bomb. The blackened chicken or the ribeye. Best to have a reservation or be prepared to wait.

 

[Done-it-again]

Petrillo's Pizza, the best there is!

Really good pizza, but most people when’s it’s their first time they don’t like it.

Their special pizza is a great and have the best sausage.

 

[Racer56]

Really good pizza, but most people when’s it’s their first time they don’t like it.

Their special pizza is a great and have the best sausage.

Large sausage and pepperoni for the win!

 

[CoolCruzin]

I’ve been in San Dimas for ever , and you’re right .
Where are the good restaurants at ?

Just the last couple years for great Italian food .
They use to be only so so . But now I really enjoy this place .
Spaghetti Eddie’s in Glendora .( grand ave)

 

[Done-it-again]

I’ve been in San Dimas for ever , and you’re right .
Where are the good restaurants at ?

Just the last couple years for a great Italian food .
They use to be only so so . But now I really enjoy this place .
Spaghetti Eddie’s in Glendora .( grand ave)

I’f you go to Glendora try Petrillo's Pizza!

 

[Chili Palmer]

If you do Petrillo’s go to the one in San Gabriel, the one in Glendora is a letdown.

 

[rivermobster]

In San Dimas, this place has Real Italian food...

Pozzetto Italian Dining · 114 W Bonita Ave, San Dimas, CA 91773

★★★★☆ · Italian restaurant

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[JFMFG]

I’m in the San Dimas/La Verne area and after 30 years we’ve come to the conclusion that there’s no really good restaurants in the area, they’re mostly mediocre at best. We used to enjoy Joey’s BBQ, but they’ve gone way downhill, pizza places are all the same, there’s no Chicago style pizza around here. The steakhouses are all overpriced and crappy quality - I do a better steak at home. You can only do so much with a burger - we’ve gone to Eureka in Claremont for that. Mexican - we enjoy Los Jarritos in Pomona, but it’s got the ambiance of a cafeteria. We found Elvira’s in Claremont, a much nicer location and surroundings, but the food is more of a tourist/generic as far a flavor goes.

Do you guys have any suggestions for good food - I don’t mind driving and paying for good food. It’s just the mediocre food with the great food prices that really frustrate me. The Yelp reviews must be made by friends and family of the restaurants especially if you see all high rating and bad ratings with nothing in between.

Where do you guys like?

Have you been to roscoes in chino hills? Can’t go wrong there. Everything I’ve had I’ve been pleased with.

 

[relaxalot]

Brea Chop house
4th st grill
Bardot in Claremont
Nicks in Pasadena
You are right about the food quality and restaurants in this area..

 

[PlumLoco]

If you don't mind driving to Victoria Gardens, Luna does Mexican a whole different way. Start your meal with Lunas de salmon for sure. The combo platter is a good way to try a bunch of familiar things done better. Sometimes they do multi course meals with several different tequila pairings that you won't see anywhere else. They have a happy hour where some of the good stuff is cheaper. I have only been to the Corona location, but I'm sure Rancho is just as nice.

 

[Done-it-again]

If you do Petrillo’s go to the one in San Gabriel, the one in Glendora is a letdown.

We typically do the take out one in upland. Pertillos started it then sold it to the employees and had to rename it to petrilli’s but same pizza.

We do the Glendora one, but it’s been about 6-8 months ago. My parents dated at the San Gabriel one 50 years ago.

 

[lenmann]

I’m in the San Dimas/La Verne area and after 30 years we’ve come to the conclusion that there’s no really good restaurants in the area, they’re mostly mediocre at best. We used to enjoy Joey’s BBQ, but they’ve gone way downhill, pizza places are all the same, there’s no Chicago style pizza around here. The steakhouses are all overpriced and crappy quality - I do a better steak at home. You can only do so much with a burger - we’ve gone to Eureka in Claremont for that. Mexican - we enjoy Los Jarritos in Pomona, but it’s got the ambiance of a cafeteria. We found Elvira’s in Claremont, a much nicer location and surroundings, but the food is more of a tourist/generic as far a flavor goes.

Do you guys have any suggestions for good food - I don’t mind driving and paying for good food. It’s just the mediocre food with the great food prices that really frustrate me. The Yelp reviews must be made by friends and family of the restaurants especially if you see all high rating and bad ratings with nothing in between.

Where do you guys like?

I agree 100%. I grew up in Glendora (a long time ago...) and lived in the area until the 90's. I make the trek from NorCal to the Roadster Show every year really to just connect with old car buddies and every Friday and Saturday night the conversation is the same: Where we gonna eat? "There's nothing good here anymore" say the locals who don't really eat out much anyway. Invariably I end up disappointed so this thread is helpful.

I am gonna checkout @relaxalot suggestions. Thanks!

 

[c_land]

I’m in the San Dimas/La Verne area and after 30 years we’ve come to the conclusion that there’s no really good restaurants in the area, they’re mostly mediocre at best. We used to enjoy Joey’s BBQ, but they’ve gone way downhill, pizza places are all the same, there’s no Chicago style pizza around here. The steakhouses are all overpriced and crappy quality - I do a better steak at home. You can only do so much with a burger - we’ve gone to Eureka in Claremont for that. Mexican - we enjoy Los Jarritos in Pomona, but it’s got the ambiance of a cafeteria. We found Elvira’s in Claremont, a much nicer location and surroundings, but the food is more of a tourist/generic as far a flavor goes.

Do you guys have any suggestions for good food - I don’t mind driving and paying for good food. It’s just the mediocre food with the great food prices that really frustrate me. The Yelp reviews must be made by friends and family of the restaurants especially if you see all high rating and bad ratings with nothing in between.

Where do you guys like?

Is Pomona valley mining co. still any good? I remember it was good pre-pandemic but haven’t been back since.

 

[Angler]

Is Pomona valley mining co. still any good? I remember it was good pre-pandemic but haven’t been back since.

That place has never been good.

We mostly cook at home. Can't even get a good burger in San Dimas.

 

[fat rat]

Go to NY……….nothing like it, hope I didn’t hurt anyones feelings.

 

[FreeBird236]

I lost a good friend about three years ago, but until then he managed the La Paloma in La Verne for 40 years, I always thought it was pretty good. Always hit them up after the drag races as did a few of the drivers.

 

[pixrthis]

We like Clearman’s North Woods Inn down the street from Bert’s Mega Mall. The Derby near Santa Anita is a very good steak house.

 

[PRIMO]

DAMON'S......

City of Glendale on N. Brand

 

[PRIMO]

 

[Chili Palmer]

View attachment 1298374

Do you want to expand on this, like where and hopefully it's not only for those with FU money for a steak?

 

[rivermobster]

We like Clearman’s North Woods Inn down the street from Bert’s Mega Mall. The Derby near Santa Anita is a very good steak house.

Meh.

Cask and Cleaver in Rancho is Way better. Most of the servers have been there for decades if that tells you anything.

Hard to beat the cheese bread and red cabbage salad at Clearmans though.

 

[PRIMO]

Do you want to expand on this, like where and hopefully it's not only for those with FU money for a steak?

Park in the Rear.....

 

[Racer56]

Clearman's Galley

Red cabbage salad
Cheese bread
Chili Size
Tall boy beer

 

[yz450mm]

There is nothing better than home cooked food. You can't compare Any restaurant to that!

Unless we are talking about Sushi? WAY too much work to do at home!

I like SushiNi myself.

Try out Sushi On Fire in HB! Or its sister restaurant Shabu On Fire a couple doors down (same owner).

 

[Hava-Schiada]

While I haven’t tried it yet, I haves read lots of good things about Tony’s Little Italy in Placentia. If you don’t mind heading down the 57 a bit.

 

[Bear Down]

I’m in the San Dimas/La Verne area and after 30 years we’ve come to the conclusion that there’s no really good restaurants in the area, they’re mostly mediocre at best. We used to enjoy Joey’s BBQ, but they’ve gone way downhill, pizza places are all the same, there’s no Chicago style pizza around here. The steakhouses are all overpriced and crappy quality - I do a better steak at home. You can only do so much with a burger - we’ve gone to Eureka in Claremont for that. Mexican - we enjoy Los Jarritos in Pomona, but it’s got the ambiance of a cafeteria. We found Elvira’s in Claremont, a much nicer location and surroundings, but the food is more of a tourist/generic as far a flavor goes.

Do you guys have any suggestions for good food - I don’t mind driving and paying for good food. It’s just the mediocre food with the great food prices that really frustrate me. The Yelp reviews must be made by friends and family of the restaurants especially if you see all high rating and bad ratings with nothing in between.

Where do you guys like?

your description on the following places are SPOT on with mine. I live in Upland so I will give you my suggestions for what we do.

Steaks- Derby in Arcadia is fastest location for a good steakhouse.
Italian Chop House- Tutti Mangia In Claremont... Rack of lamb is on point, steaks are great, just a tad over seasoned. Side of King Crab Legs is the best value.
Sanchos Tacos Claremont- Actually pretty good
El Chilito Mexican Food- Alta Loma, actually really good... Avoid the chile verde, everything else great. The Queso fundido is the damn star of the menu. don't sit by the booths by the window at sunset. It will get hot. Not the most updated decor, but great food.
Glorias- Ontario(Euclid) Great food, pricey and but comes with a good environment.
The Heights in Upland- Close to Jarritos as far as environment, but drinks are solid (strong) and food is really good.
Septembers - Alta Loma/Rancho - Right off 210 and really good atmosphere, drinks and food. Bang Bang Shimp is killer.
House of Wings La Verne- I think this is pretty decent... Menu could be better and wings aren't what they used to be
Hi Brow- Take an uber there...you won't leave sober after only 1 drink.

 

[240Hallett]

Hard to beat the cheese bread and red cabbage salad at Clearmans though.

My wife will drive out there from Rancho Cucamonga just to pick up those two items.

 

[badgas]

While I haven’t tried it yet, I haves read lots of good things about Tony’s Little Italy in Placentia. If you don’t mind heading down the 57 a bit.

It's really good but you have to be in the mood for that thick Chicago style pie. Takes an hour to bake one, and 1 slice is a meal.

 

[Done-it-again]

Meh.

Cask and Cleaver in Rancho is Way better. Most of the servers have been there for decades if that tells you anything.

Hard to beat the cheese bread and red cabbage salad at Clearmans though.

Agree, North Woods has gone down hill over the years. Like everyone else, just go for the bread and salads.....

 

[traquer]

Pretty much.. You gotta drive to south OC or LA for exceptional restaurants (or even great ones). Or even Corona, they have Woodranch at least haha I love that place.

In your area there's some great Lebanese/middle eastern sit down restaurants. That's all that comes to mind off-hand that I have first-hand experience in. Had a GF that lived in San Dimas.

 

[Bear Down]

Agree, North Woods has gone down hill over the years. Like everyone else, just go for the bread and salads.....

You have to go to Steak and Stein in Pico Rivera if you want to sniff anything close to what Northwoods used to be. Service is still top notch, just weird seeing any server there under 80 years old.

 

[UltraLucky]

Our go to Places Claremont/La Verne area

Lunch:
Twisted Sage
Back Abbey
Argos

Dinner:
Tutti Mangia
Arrufos
Meat Cellar
El Ranchero

 

[River Dirt 2]

Large sausage and pepperoni for the win!

My son gets their pizza all the time, but with double garlic
damn near killed me and I like garlic!

 

[havasujeeper]

You have to go to Steak and Stein in Pico Rivera if you want to sniff anything close to what Northwoods used to be. Service is still top notch, just weird seeing any server there under 80 years old.

Do they still have all the pictures of boobage on their walls? How big are the baked potatoes now?

 

[Bear Down]

Do they still have all the pictures of boobage on their walls? How big are the baked potatoes now?

Not anymore that I recall on the Bobbage pics. The potatoes are not what they used to be. I used to Service this chain back in the day for produce. Northwoods would get a 2 x Size Potato (40 pieces in a 50 lbs) which is about 1.25 lbs average per potato, hand sorted/packed for uniformity. The steak and steins would get a 3x size (30 pieces per 50 lb case). Huge Size. Them days are long gone. They now do a 50ct size across all restaurants.

 

[Markus]

Have you been to roscoes in chino hills? Can’t go wrong there. Everything I’ve had I’ve been pleased with.

Roscoe’s is good.

 

[wzuber]

Spaggiis for Italian in Upland is very good. Chef Henry will typicallly make ya whatever you request.