TigerDave's Restaurant Reviews

Last updated: 03/10/2005

NEW! - QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? HAVE YOUR OWN OPINION ON ANY OF THESE RESTAURANTS?
DISCUSS THIS TOPIC AT THE ALL-NEW TIGERDAVE.COM FORUM!

OK, first things first. We are by no means "food critics", but you don't have to be one to know if your entree just plain sucks, or if you're being served well. 

This web page simply reflects our own personal experiences.

We try to visit as many new places as we can thanks to the Inland Empire Edition Entertainment Book. If you like dining out, then this is one of the best way to to try new places without getting stuck with a regularly-priced bill. 

Here's how we rated various eating establishments in Temecula. We know how everyone can have their "off" days, so we usually visit a restaurant several times before we give it a bad rating.

We are always open to feedback and discussion on what YOU think about various restaurants in Temecula. So tell us what you think and we'll post your comments here!

And remember to always tip your server well if they provided you with good service! Otherwise you just might end up as the topic of discussion here.

The Riverside Department of Environmental Health frequently inspects restaurants in Riverside County. Here's a list of restaurants inspected during the month which received a score (SCR) below 90, resulting in their posted grade (GRD) being lowered to a “B” or “C”.

How we rate: 

Excellent Very good Good/Average Below average Poor

(If some of the star ratings don't show-up, right-click on them and choose "Show Picture".)

• Name/Location = Recommended establishments are in highlighted in gold. All locations are in the city of Temecula (unless otherwise noted). Some listings have links to their website and menu. Click on them! I worked hard on this!

• Food = Overall quality, portions, flavor, and temperature.

• Service = How well does the staff acknowledges you? Are they courteous and professional? Are you greeted when you arrive? Depart? Includes your server's ability to wait on you.

• Wait = Will you file for Social Security while waiting for a table?

• Value = Overall dining experience. In other words, do you get a decent "bang for the buck"?

• Items we ordered = Well this one's pretty much self-explanatory now, isn't it?

• Comments = I don't hold back. No beating around the bush. I prefer to just tell it like it is.

• Kill Devils

If you don't mind the loud, be-bop 50's atmosphere that 5 & Diner offers, then you might like this place. Claudine's Southwest Chicken sandwich at $7.69 was piled high and seemed like a pretty good deal although it was heavy on the southwest sauce and mayo causing the entire sandwich to slip and slide apart much too easily. 

The Philly Steak Sandwich at $7.89, however, was quite dry and both it and the $0.75 upgrade to onion rings were pretty small in portion. I left still hungry. Her seasoned fries were also pretty heavy on the seasoning -- it's something that should really be offered as an option. 

I had ordered a burger on my first visit which was also so-so. 5 & Diner isn't a bad place, per se, but it isn't really much to write home about either. With other establishments offering better food, better prices, and a cleaner, better atmosphere, I cannot recommend 5 & Diner.

If you don't mind the somewhat obnoxious chef/owner, and can deal with the strange customers, & the pretty high prices, then check it out. Otherwise, don't bother. There's better places to be had. We had to keep bugging our server for our check. I've talked to others who have dined there and experienced the same thing.

My fiancee can handle spicy dishes, but hers was just too much. My entree was so-so. What's did I have? Hmmm. I forgot. Yeah, not a very memorable experience other than that we can remember there are better places to go in Temecula.

Bagels are fresh, but the egg sandwiches (although better than an Egg McMuffin) are ho-hum at most. And somewhat pricey too considering an egg and a bagel are worth $0.50. Staff is always courteous no matter how busy. I could do without this place, but Claudine likes it, so "your mileage may vary".

One Friday night, we were intending on visiting Chili's, when the 40-minute wait to be seated was simply too long. We started driving down Jefferson Ave. when I suggested we give California Grill a try. After all, I had driven past it so many times, but have never been inside. We were very pleased with our experience. First of all, there was NO WAIT. 

Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of patrons, but it was literal chaos like most Temecula eateries tend to be on a Friday night. "Briana", our server, was extremely polite, by our side when needed, and always offered to point out items on the menu -- especially since this was our first visit. The food was superb in quality and value. The atmosphere was certainly associated with "fine-dining" with the cloth napkins, tablecloths, and live music. California Grill is probably one of the last "best-kept" secrets in town. But not for long. We highly recommend it!

Update: We have visited about 20 times now, and each time it was just as pleasant as the first! Definitely one of our favorite restaurants.

Interesting concept. They hand-mix any topping you want into the ice cream you choose right on a frozen stone board (hence the name). Certainly better quality than your average over-priced "Baskin Robbins", but the prices aren't cheap here either. Update: I recently tried their frozen yogurt and was disappointed. It reminded me of "frozen ice milk". I asked for "Twix" as my mix-in and they used just one Twix bar. I recommend the ice cream, but for frozen yogurt, go with Golden Spoon.

Since Chili's is a franchise, you pretty much always get consistent results no matter which one you visit. The food is never disappointing, but the prices are getting up there.

I used to be a big fan of Coco's. Seems like over the years, they've become another "Denny's" with climbing prices and mediocre food (or I'm becoming pickier in the pocketbook and the taste buds).

A former favorite of mine, I still like CJ's, but have moved onto better things. Plus the wait is always way too long.

After 30+ visits (in Temecula and Foothill Ranch), never a disappointment. Highly recommended!

This little Deli in Old Town offers a surprising amount of imported food products. Their sandwiches, with small portions and steep prices, left a lot to be desired. They got my order wrong (I asked for Tuna Salad, got Turkey). Great place to chat with a friend over coffee, but for sandwiches, stick with Subways, Togo's, etc. Also, they are only open on Saturdays "By appt. only". Go figure.

If you are a "burger connoisseur extraordinaire", and have a hankering for a really good hamburger, Farmer Boys is one of my Top 3 choices. The Farmer Boys hamburger was named the best burger in Southern California by Channel 2 News. It's what Carl's Jr. tries to be. So watch the Carl's ads and then go fulfill your desires at Farmer Boys -- not Carl's.

We stumbled across Fresh Cut Subs by accident one day while out and about in Murrieta. Although this little strip-mall sandwich shop isn't very fancy decor-wise, they certainly make up for it with one of the best subs I've ever had. 

I find Subways to be 'OK'. Quiznos is 'good but kind of pricey'. Submarina is 'so-so but very expensive' ($10 for a 12" sub!?!?), and until now, Togo's has been my personal favorite. But be prepared should you venture into Fresh Cut! 

Their foot long sandwiches are toasted and include a full half-pound of meat and cheese. They used fresh-sliced avocado, and I couldn't believe how many overlapping slices they give you (Togo's charges about $1 for a tiny scoop). Furthermore, you can have them add olives, pickles and pepperoncinis at no extra charge! Before long, my $7.00 foot-long sub appeared to be weighing in at a hefty 5 pounds. Although I can easily pack away a 12" Subway sub and still be hungry, I was full after the first half of my 12" Fresh Cut Sub.

Michelle, the manager, told me that were previously part of the "Sub Station II" chain, but then decided to become their own store. The Murrieta location is their third (they have two others in Hemet) and all three are privately owned by the same owner. I suggested they put one in Temecula and she said she's already been telling the owner the same thing.

Golden Spoon's frozen yogurt is flavorful, affordable, and they don't hold back on portions either. Recommended! Our only complaint is that it appears as if the place is never cleaned or mopped.

OK, we finally decided to try "Kill Devils". To be honest, it was the "Free Hurricane" coupon we found in the Temecula Valley News (or whatever it's called). You can find them at most places in Temecula, including right inside Kill Devils. The Strawberry Banana Mojo Hurricane ($4.40) we ordered was delicious. It had chunks of real strawberries and bananas, as well as graham cracker crust mixed right in with the vanilla frozen custard. Quite a treat!

We also had a side of fries ($1.89) which were great (but greasy) too. They claim to use 100% Idaho potatoes (with the skins left on -- bonus!) deep fried in 100% peanut oil.

We couldn't stop eyeballing the large photo of their Killer Burger on the wall, so we ordered and split one ($5.89). It comes with double meat, double cheese, double bacon, grilled red onion, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, and sauce. It was, well, different. It was extremely greasy, and the meat was not so much ground beef consistency, but rather more like a meatloaf consistency. I wonder what they add to the beef.

So basically, it costs $12.18 for just a burger, fries and a shake. Not cheap. But do check it out. The hurricanes are definitely worth a try! The burgers? Ehhh, well not so much. At least, not for me.

I've probably visited Marie Callender's about 10 times in the past few years. And my experience has always been "OK". Nothing bad, but nothing really worth remembering. Marie has always been pretty much "average" in my book.

Update - October 2004: I've had Marie's a few more times in 2004 and have been pretty impressed with the quantity and quality of items on their most recent menu. And service has always been outstanding the last few times as well. So I am updating my entry accordingly to reflect a "recommended" status.

Like Chili's, since Mimi's  is a franchise, you pretty much always get consistent results no matter which one you visit. The food is never disappointing, but the prices are getting up there.

The food wasn't bad, nothing to write home about. Claudine's salmon was too undercooked for her to eat. The staff lacked professionalism. The manager was in the next booth over laughing too loudly, the men's bathroom was a disaster area while a few of the employees were sitting in the hall watching TV. Isn't there a break room?! The bill was rather high for what we got.

We got there at 8:30pm on a Friday night and it was very busy. Maybe that's a good sign. Told it would be a 20 minute wait. We actually waited 35 mins. Understandable, as again, it was very busy. We were finally seated at 9:05 pm. Since this was our first visit, we thought we'd use one of the coupons we received in their promo mailer which was a Medium 3-topping pizza for $9.99. 

The coupon explicitly stated "Present this coupon when ordering.", which we did. But our server said, "Oh, just hold onto that until later." Our order was taken around 9:15, and then we received our somewhat warm pizza at 9:40. We asked for Pepperoni, Black Olives, Mushrooms, and EXTRA SAUCE. What we received was Pepperoni, Black Olives, Mushroom and EXTRA SAUSAGE. 

We were too hungry to send it back and wait for who-knows-how-long. Plus, our server disappeared for what seemed like hours at a time. We had to bug another server to get refills on our drinks. When we finally got the bill, the coupon was never applied -- of course. And I had to add that we didn't ask for sausage! She took it over to her manager and another 7-8 minutes later came back with the adjusted bill. 

Although the pizza was not bad, our experience would have been better if: the wait wasn't so long, the pizza wasn't lukewarm, our server got our order right, our server applied the coupon, and our server waited on us better by not letting our glasses sit empty forever. Doubtful we will ever return. And by the time we got out of there it was after 10:30pm. Going out for pizza shouldn't take over 2 hours.

Took eternity to get served, took even longer to get our appetizers. Service was sloppy. Margaritas were good, but overpriced at $6.50 a pop.

Update June 2004: Our most recent trip to On The Border was far more pleasant. It was a busy Thursday, but the wait was only 5 minutes or so. The service was great, and the food was too. This time we had their Stacked Border Nachos (Tortilla chips layered with refried beans, chile con queso, mixed cheeses and taco meat. Topped with pico de gallo, jalapenos, sour cream and shredded lettuce for $9.99) and the Superior Dinner (Chicken flauta, soft shredded beef taco, chicken enchilada with sour cream sauce and a cheese & onion enchilada with red chile sauce. Served with Mexican rice for $11.49). Even though the Stacked Border Nachos are considered an "appetizer" they can be a meal for two! In fact, we pretty much split the nachos, and then took the Superior Dinner home (along with some nachos still leftover!) since it was so much food. I've updated this entry to reflect my current ratings.

*Update 6/9/03: The past several visits to the Temecula (and Carlsbad) locations resulted in what appeared to be under-cooked pizzas. All 4 of the pizzas ordered over the past few months were under-cooked. The cheese was not completely melted and the crust was quite gummy and doughy. It appears that they need to increase the oven temps and/or cooking time.  I informed the manager at the Temecula location who graciously offered us something in exchange. We declined and thanked her for her offer. Per her request, we filled-out a comment card which is sent to their corporate headquarters in San Diego.

* Update 7/28/03: The under-cooked pizza problem still persists.

Penfold's seems like the kind of place where the long-time locals hang-out. It's probably been around longer than I have, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The booths and decor needs updating, badly. The menu is your typical "we got a little bit of everything, just like Denny's" variety. I felt like I was in a really dingy trucker stop, but then again, that's just my opinion. There are far better places to eat and visit, so we probably won't be back.

Our first visit encountered poor service, but we have been back several times and since that first visit, the service was great and so is the food. Don't let the "strip-mall" location and the plastic chairs fool you, Presto's is worth a visit!

With a catch-phrase like "bottomless fries", you have my undivided attention. Although I first tried Red Robin many years ago, it was only recently when I became a die-hard fan. Perhaps their entrees have improved. Their California Chicken Burger is superb and always filling. With big portions, quality food, and superb service, Red Robin is quickly climbing the charts.

Can't decide between pad Thai and Chinese chicken salad? You can have both and a cocktail, too, at the new Red Ginger Asian Bistro. The restaurant is tucked in a strip mall at Winchester and Margarita Rd near Ralph's. The menu features new and old Asian favorites. You can eat satays, spring rolls, roast duck, hot-and-sour soup, stir-fried rice noodles and kung pao chicken. Spicy grilled yellowfin tuna with wasabi, and steamed cod with ginger and scallions are some of the entrees that change weekly. Portions are generous, and the food's fine, except some of the seasonings are a bit off. Give this place a try. The food is fresh & fantastic, and the service is superb.

The name of the place says it all. One night, we were out looking for a Mexican restaurant and I inadvertently read the front sign as "Richie's Real Mexican Diner" when we whizzed by. We decided (OK, I decided) that we should check it out anyway.

Well, if a true 50's diner experience is what you're looking for, this place is it. it was so PACKED the night we went. Not an open seat in the place! I mean, this place was happening. We were seated a few minutes later, however when our server approached us. Instantly, I had flashbacks to the TV show "Alice". I just knew that "Flo" was around there somewhere. 

At any rate, the food is a slight cut above fast food, but this is a really fun place where everyone's friendly, and the kids will certainly love it. It's worth a visit, but remember, this is a diner, just like the sign says.

Our trip to Rockin' Baja was quite memorable -- and not in a good way. After waiting in the bar for what seemed like eternity, we sipped our $3.50 Coors Light served in a 12-ounce PLASTIC cup (I felt like I was at a frat party), and then headed over to our sticky table. Their "Big Baja Bucket" seemed like a good deal. But at $15.99, the bucket is half-filled with crumpled paper giving the illusion that it's full of lobster.

You get maybe 4 mini-lobster tails that are covered in so much salty seasoning that you can't taste anything -- but seasoning! When the loud, crappy band started playing, we knew it was time to call it a wrap. We paid our $30+(!) bill, left hungry, disappointed, and vowed never to return! Which is maybe what happened to our server too as he literally vanished during the course of the evening.

So far, Rosa's Tortilla Factory as been one of our favorites. We stop by 2-3 times per month. It's almost always a busy place where you can find a lot of families. The friendly atmosphere and above-average Mexican dishes are certain to please even the most fickle. Tremendous bang for the buck! Do check it out!

Sammy's consistently delivers great food, great service and a modest price. Their slogan "Eat Well. Feel Good." is right on the money. $12.50 for their Grilled Shrimp Salad, may seem like a lot of money for a salad, but two can share and easily have some left over. Their Messy Sundae is huge and a must-see. The service is top-notch. One young lady bought a Messy Sundae for us just because she liked us! Highly recommended. Sammy's is no secret, however, so arrive early and expect a 20-30 minute wait.

Update Jan. 2004: Our recent visit was quite pleasant. The Norwegian Salmon Filet (marinated in lemon pepper and oak roasted) with green beans and Grilled London Broil (Sliced and marinated in fresh herbs and garlic with a sautéed wild mushroom ragout) with Red Skin Mashed Potatoes were superb! We were especially fanatic about green beans which were sautéed with mushrooms, roasted garlic, black pepper, tomatoes and olive oil.

Superb-tasting food! Fettuccini was cooked to perfection. Prices a bit high. The "Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken" was delicious, but it will set you back $13.95.

Claudine always says, "The bigger the menu, the more mediocre the food tends to be." This statement certainly holds true with Siggy's. A huge menu, low prices, and big portions, but everything is mediocre at best. Plus, there's too much salt in everything. If you miss your high school cafeteria food, or if you need to increase your sodium intake, then this is the place.

Souplantation is where we go when we want to feel like we're eating healthy. You can't go wrong with this "all-you-can-eat" soup and salad buffet. You can go wrong, however, if you take too much of what you end up not  liking. We hate wasting food.  

I suggest that you try a small sample of each item and then go back for more of what you like. The wait has always been virtually non-existent (except for the recent trip during the "Rod Run" weekend). The clam chowder soup was quite bland. Not sure why they have mushy "diced tomatoes" instead of cherry tomatoes. 

I've always preferred "SoupExchange" over Souplantation as they always had Cream of Broccoli (my fave), but the former seems to have gone the way of the do-do bird. At $8.29 for the dinner menu, you'd best eat lots of pricey items and not just lettuce.

I am still apparently not alone when I say that the food and service here leaves a lot to be desired. We were not impressed -- even after 4 separate visits.  If you want a true "brewery" experience, I recommend either Rock Bottom Brewery, Karl Strauss, or Gordon Biersch (my fave).

Update 1/4/03: TBC is no longer. We noticed this during a recent visit to their former next door neighbor "Sammy's Woodfired Pizza". I asked a few of the Sammy's employees what happened to TBC. The overall vibe I got was that TBC was caught serving alcohol to minors (they probably needed the business), and that they just weren't profitable. Even their has been website has been shut down.

A recent review on Let's Dine Out and past kudos from Temecula.com forum members prompted us to check this place out. Mistake #1: We went on a Friday night at 7:30pm and it was PACKED! There wasn't enough seating, so we decided to take-out rather than dine-in. It took about 20 minutes from order time to pick-up, but this was expected as it was so busy. 

The indoor seating and decor is nice, but it's in the same main room as the kitchen (with no walls separating the dining area from the order counter and kitchen). So expect a lot of noise and foot traffic. The outdoor patio looks like it was added-on as an afterthought -- and it probably was. They should consider converting the patio into an extension to the main indoor dining area instead.

Our large pizza was a bit pricey at $17.50 plus tax, but how often do you find a pizzas with shrimp, chicken, or white sauce -- and with names like "Screaming Chicken", "White Lady", and "Maui Wowi"? 

Unfortunately, the prosciutto on our pizza was incredibly salty and we didn't get the extra sauce that we asked for. Plus only thin crust is offered (I'm a thick-crust kind of guy -- i.e. BJ's Chicago Pizzeria). 

Although the Temecula Pizza Company isn't my personal favorite, their pizza is still better than average and their unique offerings make a visit worthwhile. Their ingredients are fresh and they use the "good mozzarella", not the cheap stuff. We may give them another try in the near future.

Dine-In or Take-Out only. Delivery not available.

When it comes to TGI Friday's service, it's hit or miss. I suggest you avoid this place on Friday nights for obvious reasons. It's just too crowded. But if you can get in, it's a great place to hang out and chat with friends. The food is decent, never a disappointment, but not always something worth remembering. 

Service is always superb and the quality is above average. Too bad the location is so poor,  as they are buried deep into the strip mall near Target. Might be difficult to find, but worth the trip! Pay them a visit.

Tony Roma's has always been a favorite of mine. They do have the best baby back ribs (even though Chili's has the catchier jingle). Although it is a "place for ribs", nobody ever thinks of Tony Roma's as a place for lunch. Which is why my favorite is the "2 for $10" brunch special when we each can order a pork, chicken, or beef sandwich and fries, cole slaw, or beans. A true bargain, although it can be pretty much hit or miss when it comes to portions and quality. 

Although I need to try more items from their menu, Yellow Basket goes beyond your typical burger joint. Their huge menu can keep you deciding for hours.