Fabulous and affordable option when you want a sandwich. Service can be hit or miss and the person taking orders can seem incompetent/inconsiderate of the time. Ambiance is not the best, as the interior of the restaurant can feel dated--the art does not help--and the booths that comprise the bulk of the seating is private (which I love) but always dirty. Despite the service and ambiance leaving something to be desired, the lunch is great option in the downtown area. I do no recommend the breakfast--the potatoes lack flavor and many items are better made at home, imo. My go-to lunch options Grilled Smokey without onions- a fancy grilled cheese w tomato Tomato soup pairs very well with the grilled cheese Grill Smokey with bacon- solid but sometimes I don't want bacon/meat Tuna melt- so good and I tend to not like celery Black bean soup- solid Upgrade to the pesto pasta salad OR the loaded potato salad Don't recommend the pastrami sandwich-the meat was lowkey gross Baked good/desserts Princess Cake- I'm royalty and this cake hits the right notes and spots Sticky buns- get it Cinnamon bun- get it Cookies (molasses)- yummy and good texture Bagels- great quality bagels to add to a meal Baked breads (when in stock)- love fresh bread and recommend the sourdough read more

I had the sourdough French toast with apple chicken sausage. The French toast came with two large slices of sourdough bread and two small sausage patties. Everything was cooked well, and I thought the price was reasonable. The sourdough bread itself was good, but overall I felt like the meal was missing a little something. Since the slices were pretty large, I asked for extra syrup, which definitely helped. I also thought the sausage patties were a little small for the portion. For my drink, I had an iced latte with vanilla syrup and almond milk. It was okay, but nothing really stood out about it. Overall, it was a decent breakfast and a good value, but I think a few small improvements could make it much better. read more

Simple Simon's Bakery & Bistro - French toast - Bakeries Near Me - Riverside, California

I've only had the breakfast platter here, eggs, really good bacon, perfectly seasoned potatoes and fresh sourdough toast, it's so good I haven't gotten around to trying something else. Definitely 5 stars for the breakfast Atmosphere inside is very welcoming and cute nothing fancy just an old school feel which I like Customer service 5 stars for sure. Employees have been friendly each time and they bring out food to you on the patio. Unfortunately the location is increasingly a problem at least while sitting outside. Lots of homeless people around some on drugs and some unstable. Last time I was there a homeless man threw an orange at someone who was eating next to me for no reason at all. It's not the first time something happens that feels unsafe and although there's not much the restaurant can do about it it does affect the ambience read more

Great food and great service. I love the outdoor seating. The staff were all very nice. The bakery case had so many delicious options it was hard to decide. Everything was very good. Highly recommend read more

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Passing through town and decided to pit stop here. Their bakery items are really good. I got the cinnamon roll and would recommend. The sticky carmalized bottom and delicious frosting on top was delicious. I also wanted to try their chicken apple sausage and ordered a side. It was decent, I think the baked good was much better though and I'd probably come back to try more pastries and baked goods in the future personally. This is a casual place so you order at the front of the restaurant and then pay in the back. Prices are very reasonable all around across the menu. Plenty of tables but can get busy! Worth checking out if you're in the downtown area. read more

Simple Simon's Bakery & Bistro - Cinnamon roll - Bakeries Near Me - Riverside, California

Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this place. It's one of those spots where you order and pay first, then sit down and they bring the food to you. I guess I'm just not used to that setup, so it threw me off a bit at first. That being said... the food was actually really good. I got the croissant breakfast sandwich with potatoes, and I loved it. The croissant was perfectly flaky and buttery, which made the whole sandwich even better. My sister ordered a strawberry croissant, and when I tell you it was the best strawberry croissant I've ever had, I am not exaggerating. That croissant personally attacked me with how good it was. Like I wasn't prepared emotionally. For drinks, the orange juice was delicious, but the espresso and iced vanilla latte were a letdown -- my sister and cousin were not impressed at all. The restaurant itself is really cute. They have two all-gender restrooms and an outdoor seating area, which makes sense with their order-first setup. The overall vibe was super chill and peaceful, which I did enjoy. read more

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The server saw we were confused when we first walked in and he was very nice and taught us how it works. Order and then sit The strawberry croissant was honestly one of the best things I've ever tasted. The custard was incredible--super smooth and rich--and the strawberries were perfectly sweet. I shared it with the table and everyone loved it. I also had the spinach and bacon omelette, which was very tasty. The provolone cheese was perfectly gooey, the bacon inside was flavorful, and the potatoes on the side were seasoned just right. The fresh-squeezed orange juice definitely tasted fresh--you can tell right away. It was super refreshing and honestly immaculate. The only downside was my espresso oat milk latte. I ordered it iced, but it came out hot. I didn't say anything since I just needed the caffeine, but the taste itself was a bit underwhelming. Overall, the food was amazing and I'd definitely come back--just double-check your drink order! read more

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5 stars for always being consistent and delicious. I mainly visit on Saturdays for lunch and it can be busy but the staff is pretty efficient and gets orders out quick. Honestly, the line is mainly due to the customers taking their sweet time while ordering. You might have a hard time finding a table to sit at inside, but they also have outside seating. Price-wise you'll probably spend around $15-$20 per person. I highly recommend their grilled chicken sandwhich. It comes with grilled chicken, lettuce and tomato, all on a toasted sourdough bread covered with pesto and cheese. For the side I typically get the Italian pasta salad, which is always delicious. One thing about this sandwhich is that the chicken will never cover the entire bread and it will never be distributed evenly. So you will always have one half that has less chicken and ends up being part veggie pesto sandwhich, which is still worth it. The other favorite is a turkey club sandwhich on a croissant. It's basic, but also very tasty. They also carry a variety of pastries and serve Klatch coffee (brewed coffee) if you need a sweet treat afterward. read more

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I've been wanting to try this sandwich spot for awhile and glad I did! Came for lunch on a Saturday around noon and the place was a bit busy but had only a short line, I opted for the pastrami sandwich and the no way Jose sandwich and enjoyed both of them! Each sandwich was $16 and comes with a side like potato salad or mixed fruit. The pastrami sandwich was perfect! A good sized sandwich with delicious pastrami and they do their bread really well. It was the right mix of soft, buttery, and crispy and the Dijon sauce that came with it was good too. As for the sides, I'd recommend the mixed fruit, which came with a lot of variety and was really refreshing. The sandwich is a bit pricey but it can easily be shared with another person. Service was solid and the restaurant was clean and had a classic homey feel. This is a great lunch option in downtown! read more

Simple Simon's Bakery & Bistro - Grilled Pastrami & Swiss - Bakeries Near Me - Riverside, California

Been living in Riverside for 5 years now and never even knew of this place. Very glad my family and I discovered it because it is a perfect little Sunday brunch spot. Old school restaurant aesthetic inside and nice outdoor dining as well. We had the sourdough French toast, breakfast croissant, and an omelette. Everything was made to order and tasted fresh. We will definitely be coming back here. The only thing preventing the full star review for me was that it was a bit pricey. But you're really paying for the delicious food and great ambience. read more

Good food, clean establishment, quick service. Very packed when we came in, a lot of local shops were closed that day so I'm sure this was one reason, I believe the other is because the food and drinks are delicious. Customer service though made you feel like you were bothering them, just the lady up front taking the order and the older man who ignored us when we wanted to ask a question. The young man who you payed with was nice. I wish they had more juices available or had the ability to make them there because I was craving that pineapple juice something fierce. Otherwise the location is great, tons of table options, and the food was good, prices match location so a bit on the higher end. read more

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It's located in a cute little area in Riverside among several other restaurants and retail shops. Inside, the restaurant has an older style look with tall wooden booths and a lot of dark wood overall. Order at the counter and shimmy down to make your way to the cashier at the other end. Everyone we encountered was friendly, despite some of the other reviews I saw. I ordered one of the breakfast croissant sandwiches and it was delicious. Some reviewers mentioned small portions. I don't know what they ordered, but this was not at all small in my opinion (not sure if my picture will do it justice). All four of us in my group were happy with our orders (another breakfast sandwich, eggs their way and an omelet) and bought oatmeal raisin cookies for the road. They were tasty and probably would have been even better warm. I also had a mocha and it was delightful! I did think it was silly that the gentleman in front of us who wanted to place a large order for lunch was made to come back after 11:00a to place his order. Why not take it and make the food when he needed it? That sounds like a better plan for everyone, but who am I? read more

Simple Simon's Bakery & Bistro - Breakfast Croissant Sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Riverside, California

I tried several desserts, including a few cookies, the chocolate ganache croissant, and the carrot cake, along with a green juice. Unfortunately, none of the desserts stood out--they were all quite disappointing. I can't speak to the rest of the menu, as I didn't try the sandwiches or egg dishes, so those may be better. The one highlight of my visit was the green juice, which was fresh, flavorful. Service was okay, and the overall seating was fine. read more

Just across from Our hotel. A busy place with Basic decor inside. Welcoming and inviting. Walk up to the counter and order your items. Very well organized chef system and ensuring you get your food quickly. I ordered the croissant breakfast sandwich and he the American breakfast. My sandwich was huge and could only finish half. Potato's were so good with a nice crispy crunch. I boxed it up and gave it to a homeless person - since we were visiting. His was very good as well- it was all gone. We will return! read more

Simple Simon's Bakery & Bistro - Bakeries Near Me - Riverside, California

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I was finally able to come for breakfast! Even at 9am almost 10, there were many customers already inside either eating breakfast and in line. The line was almost out the door! One of the servers offered my friend and I paper menus for breakfast to look at while we were in line. They have omelettes, two eggs any style with your choice of protein, granola, French toast, and bagels. I decided on the two eggs any style with the Simple Simon's Homemade Chicken Apple Sausage. My friend chose the fresh spinach and bacon omelette. Two eggs and omelettes come with fried potatoes and your choice of toast, (toast, rye, sourdough, and whole wheat). I chose sourdough. We did take awhile in line and going slowly. Once we did have our orders taken, our food was ready! Once I was about to pay, it was already ok gen counter. My total was $18 with some change. We took our order to go so we could eat outside. There were still plenty of tables open to dine in if you chose too. My food was good and the sausage was also tasted sweet, cause of the apple. It was good! I'm glad I finally got to come! read more

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As a first time visitor, this DTR spot seems tried & true. I tried it first one afternoon when looking for something sweet. I bought a gorgeous raspberry croissant and a molasses cookie for the next day. Both were what you'd hope and more - the croissant both crisp with the creamiest custard, the cookie crisp, spicy, and chewy - the flavors were full, elevated. It was so tasty, on the last day of my trip I went again to try breakfast. Everything I saw on others' plates said "sign me up!" I have to eat a certain way so I got a simple bagel with scrambled eggs. Both were delicious. The poppy bagel was different from typical east-coast style bagels. This was larger, puffier. Nice and crusty on the outside, light and fluffy in the inside, but held up to the cream cheese. The brick interior is both historic and hip. You stand in line first to order, you find your seat, they bring the food to you. The lines were never-ending on the Saturday I went (9a-10a) - they kept coming but they also kept moving. I had doubts I'd find a seat, but lucked out. At other times I looked up and saw open tables, so they turned over well. The service was above average but not ka-pow. There were no gluten-free options of any baked items - so if I bring my spouse next time, they could only watch ME have yummy pastries, french toast but not enjoy any themselves. not the best food experience to share. Those are the reasons I didn't give 5-stars. It was not bad but not above and beyond either. Not complaints, just facts. The team worked well togetherbehind the counters; everything was served hot and timely. I will definitely return on my next trip to splurge on the french toast. It looked just like my mom used to make. Definitely try Simple Simon's. read more

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Cute cafe in Downtown Riverside that has tons of fresh baked in house pastries and brunch fare. Rather pricey for breakfast items but they are shareable and pretty good. Breakfast croissant - eggs (any style you choose), sausage, your choice of cheese, mayo, tomato and avocado. Includes a side of home style potatoes. $22 Cowboy cookie - 10/10 - has walnuts, shredded coconut, chocolate chips and oats so good and chewy. $4 They have an espresso machine and syrups but no menu for lattes or espresso drinks so I didn't get one. read more

Simple Simon's Bakery & Bistro - Bakeries Near Me - Riverside, California

This place is great and has been a staple in Riverside for over 40 years. Super clean inside, great service, and delicious food. We got the bacon and spinach omelette with the tomatoes inside. It was outstanding and perfectly cooked. It comes with a side of really delicious potatoes. We also got a sweet treat that didn't disappoint - a flourless chocolate expreso heart shaped cake. It was very soft and had an amazing chocolate expreso taste. If you're looking for an overall great eating experience, this is your place. read more

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While staying at the Mission Inn, I decided to try Simple Simon's for breakfast. The atmosphere was bustling and the initial service was impressively fast and courteous. Unfortunately, the experience went downhill once the food arrived. I ordered the French toast ($18), which came as two thick slabs rather than the traditional slices. While the presentation was fine, the flavor was genuinely disappointing--to the point where I couldn't finish it, I took TWO small bites. When I politely raised the issue, the girl that came over hwr demeanor shifted immediately to being rude and dismissive. The manager, Dillon, stepped in. While he remained calm, he refused to offer any solution, stating that because there was "nothing wrong" with the preparation, he wouldn't replace the dish or offer an alternative. It's disappointing that a restaurant at this price point wouldn't prioritize customer satisfaction over the cost of a few slices of bread. Pro tip: Only order something you are 100% sure of, as they do not stand behind their menu if it doesn't meet your taste. read more

Simple Simon's Bakery & Bistro - Awful tasting French toast that - Bakeries Near Me - Riverside, California

Not worth the hype since we're an hour away. Delicious-sounding food options but the coffee is meh...no speciality options like we've become accustomed to. read more

Came here looking for a good lunch place in Riverside and it was pretty good. You order at a counter and they bring it out to you. You can sit inside or outside front or back. Good food and nice ambiance! read more

Simple Simon's Bakery & Bistro - crossaint club + lemonade/iced tea - Bakeries Near Me - Riverside, California

Another riverside delicacy with the sandwiches, custom ordering options, salad, and macaroni salad. The line for a quick lunch can turn into a normal lunch as it rocketed out the door and it was bustling at noon on a weekday. The interior has a lot of seating, but it was definitely filling up quickly. The food itself was yummy! I got one of their signature sandwiches, macaroni salad, and a water cup all for a pretty reasonable $16 bucks. I would come back to this spot as it is hip and cool read more

Simple Simon's Bakery & Bistro - Bakeries Near Me - Riverside, California

A must in DT Riverside. it's a cozy little establishment serving the best sandwiches all with homemade bread. Come in try a pastry, plan for a very busy lunch hour, parking can be a bit hectic but worth the wait. My favorite is the pesto chicken sandwich with homemade famous potato salad. read more

Great brunch spot. I like the setup where you order at the counter and sit down to be served. The menu had a lot of diversity and the plates were huge! Look forward to coming back. read more

Their breakfast is always fresh and absolutely delicious I tried the mushroom, onion & chicken apple sausage with red potatoes and sour dough bread....I'm so glad I did because this is now my favorite breakfast meal. My friend got what I normally get which is the 2 egg breakfast with chicken sausage, potatoes and bread too. The chicken apple sausage is the best I've had. It's pretty busy for breakfast on the weekends, but the service after ordering was pretty quick. Tip: if you are with other, look for a table while you're in line! You can't go wrong with simple Simon's, just remember you get what you pay for! read more

Simple Simon's Bakery & Bistro - Mushroom, onion & chicken apple sausage omelette - Bakeries Near Me - Riverside, California

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The service at this establishment is an absolute joke. While I was there I observed multiple employees walk away from their service area and completely ignore customers. It happened when customers were trying to order, it happened again at the register and finally in the dining area. While the food was quite good, I would never come here again. They can do a lot better. read more

This place is a gem! Disclaimer: it does get busy for weekend breakfast and lunch time so be prepared. They're pretty quick about getting people through the line though. Their breakfast is fresh and made to order. Their sandwiches come with a side, I tend to go for the pasta salad or fresh veggies and dip. It's so simple, yet deliciously good. You can tell you're eating real ingredients and the best part, they have something for everyone. Whether you're wanting a soup, salad, sandwich, or a fresh made pastry I promise you won't be disappointed. read more

We had lunch today for the first time and had a great lunch. It's in a great location by Mission Inn where there are lots of seating inside and out. I ordered a speciality sandwich which you can pick your own meat. I had turkey, bacon, lettuce, mayonnaise on a croissant. It comes with a side, I had fruit which was great. You can also add avocado, tomato no charge. My husband ordered their Italian Grinder which he loved. It came on ciabatta bread which made it great. He ordered a side of pasta which he liked. To top it off we had a chocolate chip cookie. Their bakery has a fantastic selection. You order at the front counter, they will bring your food to your table. read more

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Had a great experience at Simple Simon's. Friendly service, delicious food, and a cozy atmosphere. Everything tasted fresh and came out quickly. Definitely a nice local spot for breakfast or brunch -- would happily come back! read more

This place never disappoints. Breakfast and baked goods are their specialty, but lunch sammies are delicious too. They do stop the line 30 minutes before breakfast is over, so get there early!! Service is quick, from ordering to checkout to the turnaround time to getting food. YOU HAVE TO GET THE FRESH SQUEEZED OJ!!! read more

Simple Simon's Bakery & Bistro - 2 eggs any way, with bacon and sourdough bread - Bakeries Near Me - Riverside, California

I came in a couple weeks ago and ordered the croissant club, and one of the workers on the line named Rueben completely smothered my sandwich in mayo. I knew it was no accident because I overheard him laughing about it and whispering to his coworkers. Other than this one time I always have a good experience coming in. read more

I had lunch here with a gf. We got the turkey croissant sandwich with cucumber added and the pesto salad. It was delicious. I didn't know this place existed. The service was good. I would recommend this spot for lunch. Can't wait to try more items on their menu. read more

Service was great and the food was very tasty Portions are a bit large but their pastries are so good The ambience was quiet on a weekday but the people were so friendly The coffee was a bit disappointing just plain coffee nothing special when i ordered a cappuccino. Tasted kind of bland like black coffee. Food and service was great read more

I was pleasantly surprised with the food here. You stand in line to order your food. Then move forward to the register to pay. Choose a table to sit down at. There's a lot of seating, both indoor and outdoor. Cute little booths inside. My avocado toast was absolutely delicious. Pretty and healthy, with a side of fruit. Pretty crowded on a Sunday. Nearly all the tables were taken. Service was efficient and friendly. An important factor. read more

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Neat vintage building. Plenty of seating. Excellent challah French toast!! Came out quickly and hot! Hubby had an omelette, potatoes and toast. All very good. My only little criticism is the wrapped pats of butter were very cold so not spreadable on the French toast. We will be back again! read more

We came here a few months ago during the Lunar Festival on a Sunday afternoon. It was almost closing, so there weren't too many pastries left, but we decided on the strawberry croissant. It was good and comparable to other bakeries. The pastries are good and the prices are reasonable. I would definetely return here. read more

Simple Simon's is a great place to grab breakfast or lunch. Walk up to the counter to place your order and your food will be brought to your table. Fast and friendly service. Plenty of seats inside but you can also sit outside in the court yard area when the weather is nice. I went with the Grilled Pastrami and Swiss for lunch with a side of potato salad. After a recommendation from the Mission Inn, I returned the next morning for breakfast before a long day at the Convention center. I fueled up with the Vegetarian Omelette. It had Sautéed mushrooms, red peppers, onions, with fresh spinach and choice of Swiss, cheddar, or provolone cheeses. Topped with avocado. read more

Simple Simon's Bakery & Bistro - Grilled Pastrami and Swiss - Bakeries Near Me - Riverside, California

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We tried out this place for lunch when we were in the area and I am honestly confused why people line up for it. Is it the location? Is it the decor or historical-looking site? Is it maybe old reputation with locals? We ordered their Tuna Melt w/Swiss and their Croissant Club with roast beef. The tuna melt was decent but the pasta salad was kind of dry. The roast beef was really, really dry, so I had to use all the sauce to try to get is moist enough to chew and swallow. My husband agreed that he didn't understand the hype either, as there wasn't anything too special about the food or service. Based on the terrible wait time and food quality that's similar to a chain like Panera Bread, I personally would skip this place next time. Maybe it was an off day, or maybe it has a local fan base who love it and know what to order. Not sure, but at least we tried it out. read more

We have been here a couple times over the years. Each time the food has been delicious. The only thing we don't like is its counter order and self serve coffee. I guess we're spoiled with traditional food server restaurants. But yes the food and ambiance are good and you won't be disappointed. Next time we're in town I'm sure we'll be stopping by. read more

Clean restraunt with very polite workers. We went in at night and they still had a good selection of baked goods. Some of the cookies were about 6 inches in diameter. The chocolate dipped pecan bar was hard to put down. Eat a couple treats then run a few miles. It is worth every bite. read more

Simple Simon's Bakery & Bistro - Bakeries Near Me - Riverside, California

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