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 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

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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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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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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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

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

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

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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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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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

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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Food and service was so good I forgot to snap a picture, some of the best breakfast I've ever had. Ambience is amazing definitely a spot to try when you're in riverside read more

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

Food is always fresh and fast. Pastries and coffee are the best. Apple pie is almost as good as my grandmas!

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

I've been meaning to try this place! I came on a Saturday at lunchtime. Stepping in, the bakery looks rustic and homey. Almost like stepping back in time. It was packed! People were forming a long line and almost every table was taken. There was a sign right at the door that breakfast was over at 11:30am. I was a little disappointed because I was led to believe this included brunch. Breakfast and lunch are separate menus. They have laminated menus available up at the counter. Since it was lunch, they have sandwiches, salads, and vegan/vegetarian options only. We didn't have to wait too long in line. It was going pretty fast. Maybe a 10 minute wait? The kitchen was busy, mostly men working. We ordered at the counter. They have a long row of pastries, such as croissants, cookies, brownies and other types of pastries! The sever was very nice and friendly. I ordered the loaded smokey. You get a choice of a side with your sandwich. I chose the pasta salad. The sandwiches are given weighed half of whole. Server let me know the sandwich I chose was a popular one. Specialty sandwiches are given whole. My friend ordered the croissant sandwich and her side of fruit. I just got water for my drink. The server gave us our ticket and directed us down the way to pay. Cups are available at the beverage station. We sat at the corner of the bakery. People were always coming and going, definitely a popular spot. Our meal took a bit to be served, given all the people. My meal was delicious! The loaded Smokey is definitely unique. Every flavor and bite complemented each other. The pasta salad was so good too! I was full off one half, so I decided to take the rest to go. There's a separate counter for to go boxes and utensils. I will definitely come back during their breakfast hours to try that menu! read more

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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

The food was so delicious and the customer service was amazing they were polite and the waiters were so kind and the food did not take long to come out I would say it took 5-10 minutes for out food even the ambiance of restaurant was so cute a cozy vibes would recommend coming to this restaurant if you want good food and good service 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

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

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

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

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

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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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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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

My favorite breakfast/brunch spot! I love the veggies and dip on the side of any sandwich. Everything is amazing! You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. 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

Didn't know you can ruin a carrot cake and strawberry croissant was good tho , nice clean area

When are the best places in the inland Empire to get a great sandwich, a rustic, great bread great meat sandwich! The pastrami here is the bomb! Definitely recommend! 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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Amazing pastries! The staff are great and the strawberry croissant's are the best but are commonly sold out. read more

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

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

really quick and great service! the place was super clean and really nice, it had a very home-y ambiance and was really cute :) it was perfect for dining with my parents i got tomato soup which was perfectly paired with whole wheat bread, i thoroughly enjoyed it and might even say this is the best tomato soup ive ever had lol would recommend!! read more

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

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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Delicious tuna melt sandwich, with fresh fruit. Size is just perfect The team is very helpful with suggestions and service. read more

Simple Simon's Bakery & Bistro - Tuna Melt With Swiss and fruit - Bakeries Near Me - Riverside, California

My girl friends and I go every Saturday or Sunday after a hike at Mt Rubidoux. It's a location in downtown riverside that opens earlier than most places and it's the best place to get carbs and protein after a hike! You can tell that a lot of prep goes into their bakery and service. Food is always fresh, delicious and ALL the bread is fresh!!! I have not tried dessert but it looks yummy. Ambiance is casual inside and there are chairs/tables outside. When you enter, the line starts at the counter. You pick up a paper menu and order. You're given a receipt that you take to the cashier past all the pastries and desserts. If you choose the iced chai latte, they make it as you're paying. Do not be hesitant to wait in line if you see a line outside the door. Numerous times we have waited in line and the food came out just as we finished paying and were getting napkins. Simple Simon's has a really good system and all the workers are super nice, attentive and hustle to get you your food quick, hot and delicious. I always look forward to coming here and I know my friends feel the same. read more

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

Had a late lunch on Saturday. The place was a bit dark inside but still felt very warm and welcoming. The staff was incredibly friendly. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich--absolutely delicious! My friend had the roasted lamb sandwich and really enjoyed his as well. We both got the pasta salad on the side, which was tasty too. I couldn't resist checking out their cookie display (I love cookies), so I grabbed a peanut butter one. Honestly, it was just okay--not bad, but not quite what I was hoping for in a peanut butter cookie. That said, I'll definitely be back to try the other cookies--they looked amazing! read more

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