Tío's Tacos
Tacos Inside a Folk-Art Wonderland
Riverside's most unforgettable meal: a casual Mexican kitchen on Mission Inn Avenue that the Sánchez family has wrapped in an entire block of recycled-object folk art — towers, archways and a Christmas tree built from beer bottles. The food keeps pace with the spectacle: street tacos, burritos, shrimp tacos and a loaded salsa bar, plus aguas frescas. Eat, then wander the sculpture garden. Two eat for around $18.
La Bufadora Baja Grill
Ensenada-Style Fish Tacos · IE Since 1998
A family-run Inland Empire mini-chain (since 1998) named for the Ensenada blowhole, and the go-to for Baja fish tacos — battered or grilled, with cabbage and white sauce — plus a cult-favorite potato taco. The daily specials are almost comically cheap: three potato tacos for $3.49 on Mondays, fish tacos $1.79 on Wednesdays. Two eat for around $16.
Birrieria Little Tijuana
Birria, and Only Birria
A Magnolia Avenue specialist with a one-track, do-it-right menu: slow-stewed birria turned into quesabirria tacos, tacos dorados, mulitas, birria fries and even birria ramen, always with a cup of rich consommé for dipping. A combo of two loaded tacos with rice and beans runs about $11. Two eat for around $20.
Gram's Mission BBQ
Downtown Soul Food & BBQ Since 1987
A four-generation, family-run barbecue and soul-food institution across from the Mission Inn, voted the city's #1 BBQ — Southern-style ribs, brisket, pulled pork and fried fish with sides like mac and cheese, cornbread and that famous potato salad. Full plates run higher, so the budget move is a pulled-pork sandwich and a couple of shared sides. Two eat for around $20.
2 Brothers Pizza
Family-Made, Scratch-Dough Pizza
A family-owned La Sierra pizzeria making its dough and sauce from scratch, with signature pies (the hot-honey BEE-STING, the Rockin' Riverside), calzones, salads and an Oreo dessert pizza. Per their own menu a 14-inch large runs $17.99 — split one between two and you're set, root-beer floats optional. Two eat for around $18.
Rico's
Adobada on Handmade Tortillas
A locals' pick for adobada — that bright-red marinated pork — diced and piled on housemade tortillas with onion and cilantro. Simple, consistent and cheap, the kind of taco that quietly becomes a weekly habit. Two eat for around $15.
The Taco Stand
The Fish-Taco Favorite
A Riverside go-to where the fish tacos are the headliner — order them on flour if you like — alongside solid chicken and carne asada and a bright tomatillo salsa. Fresh, fast and friendly, with portions that make three tacos easy work. Two eat for around $15.
Taco Shop Mexican Grill
Cali Burritos & Crunchy Beef Tacos
A San Diego-style taco shop beloved for its California burrito (carne asada and fries in a flour tortilla) and old-school crunchy beef tacos, backed by a good salsa bar. The kind of cheap, reliable spot regulars have been hitting for years. Two eat for around $16.
Blue's
Famous Rolled Tacos by UCR
A University-area institution near UC Riverside, famous for rolled tacos (crispy taquitos) loaded with carne asada, shrimp and cheese, plus burritos priced about like Chipotle's and a full breakfast-and-coffee lineup. Easy on a student budget. Two eat for around $18.
Zacatecas Cafe
Sit-Down Mexican Comfort
A comfortable, long-running Mexican sit-down for the familiar plates done right — enchiladas, burritos, tamales and fajitas, with weekend brunch. Roomier and more relaxed than a counter spot, and without the downtown markup. Two eat for around $18.
Big Sky Bistro
Hong Kong-Style Chinese & BBQ
A casual University Avenue dining room doing Hong Kong-style Chinese and Cantonese BBQ — roast meats over rice, dim-sum-style bites and the wok classics — at college-town prices. A welcome break from the taco circuit. Two eat for around $18.
Tacos La Piedad
A Riverside Top-Taco Pick
Routinely ranked at the top of Riverside's taco lists for a reason — well-seasoned asada, al pastor and the rest on fresh tortillas, with salsas that do real work. Unfussy, generous and cheap. Two eat for around $15.
Tacos Y Más
Street Tacos with a Twist
A neighborhood favorite mixing classic street tacos with a few fusion riffs, all fresh and fast and easy on the wallet. A dependable any-night taco run. Two eat for around $16.
Flo's Farmhouse Cafe
Classic American Diner Since 1992
A beloved family-run Riverside diner going since 1992 — homemade biscuits and gravy, towering omelets, stacks of pancakes and breakfast served all day, plus the Country Benedict (a biscuit under a sausage patty, egg and white country gravy) for the truly hungry. Portions are huge and prices stay reasonable: the biscuits and gravy alone can feed two, or two classic two-egg plates land right around $20. Two eat for around $20.
Buenos Dias Cafe
Latin Coffee & Breakfast Burritos
A cozy Latin café on 14th Street where the breakfast burrito — potato, egg, cheese and your choice of meat, with two punchy house salsas — comes generous enough to split, and the coffee program runs deep (café de olla, cookie-butter and Vietnamese-inspired lattes). A breakfast burrito runs about $8, so two can eat and caffeinate well under budget. Two eat for around $18.
💡 Pro tip: All deals are community-verified, and we've used each spot's posted menu pricing wherever it's available. Prices and hours still change, and several of these are counter-service or cash-friendly spots, so check before a special trip. If something's expired, flag it on our main directory so we can update it.
These chain deals work anywhere in the country, including Riverside.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Pick 6 — Meal for Two from $19.99
The Pick 6 lets two people build a shared meal — choose six items across wings, tenders, and sides — starting around $19.99. A reliable two-for-$20 play at any BWW. Dine-in or takeout; pricing varies slightly by market.
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