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Interior View of Placita Riverside

Placita Riverside

Restaurant β€’ Mexican restaurant β€’ Food and drink

πŸ‘πŸ‘ I have been wanting to eat here for a while. The food was inexpensive, and the portions were worth the cost. The drinks. The drinks were the best they have some very fun choices and it looks like a full bar. We went for brunch on a Sunday and it was low-key the ambiance was nice and the service was... People often mention great, good, restaurant, nice, service, Riverside, time, Mexican, amazing, Placita,


Address

1805 University Ave, Riverside, CA 92507

Website

placita-riverside.com

Contact

(951) 405-8730

Rating on Google Maps

4.20
(967263 reviews)


Working Hours

Permanently closed.

Visitor Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: great (22) good (19) restaurant (15) nice (15) service (15) Riverside (10) time (10) Mexican (9) amazing (9) Placita (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Jeffrey 6 months ago on Google β€’ 224 reviews
    This is now Madres Brunch (just opened a few days ago in Riverside and Madres' 5th location) I expect this will quickly become the 'go to' Mexican restaurant in Riverside. A diverse menu with Mexican & Americana 'foodie' options, so something for everyone. An impressive list of coffee drinks and a fun cheery atmosphere. Their huevos rancheros is 'next level' .. very delicious ! Can't wait to go back and try more from their menu.
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Raffa N. 3 years ago on Google β€’ 63 reviews
    I have been wanting to eat here for a while. The food was inexpensive, and the portions were worth the cost. The drinks. The drinks were the best they have some very fun choices and it looks like a full bar. We went for brunch on a Sunday and it was low-key the ambiance was nice and the service was great
    4 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Mando De A. 2 years ago on Google
    Super delicious Must check it out great service great food authentic Mexican food all fresh highly recommend come check it out you will not be disappointed the Greatest Mexican food in Riverside County/city of Riverside. We celebrated my mother-in-lawβ€˜s birthday again great!
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 J J. 1 year ago on Google β€’ 165 reviews
    Ricardo is everything you need more! Ambience A+, Customer service A+. Food was delicious. Best rice I’ve had in a long time. Veggie enchiladas were amazing and the red sauce was flavorful.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 debi j a. 6 years ago on Google β€’ 159 reviews
    On 1/27/2019 I had the pleasure of joining The Mario's Place crew to a post Christmas Party at this fine establishment, I must say I was blown away when I walked in, the decor is relaxing, pleasant simple color scheme, yet sophisticated. The GM known as Jeremiah, he came out introducing himself shaking hands with the guest making you feel like you are all that matters to him. He was knowledgeable of his occupation, he knew the history of the restuarant, why it was named "Placita" and the meaning. Our server Miss Nancy, was just a sweet peach, attentive to our needs and wants. The Food OMG ... Guacamole w/Pumpkin Seeds, had the right amount of flavor, nice texture, the Roasted Salsa, with just the right amount of heat, with a back drop of citrus. House Salad, the slices of pear, were a great complement to the greens. Tortilla Soup, was all about the flavor, the cilantro brought all together. Carne Asada, so juicy, tender, and flavorful, accompanied by Roasted Pee Wee Potatoes w/ Cipollini Onions, Amazing ... Pasta Strozzapreti, tossed in a mild Poblano Crema w/Leeks, and Chanterelle topped with Queso Fresco, very nice twist. Dulce De Leche Panna Cotta, Brilliant, they changed the way I look at Blood Oranges forever. Thank You all for a very exciting dinner, it's about time we got a mexican restaurant with some daring new ways to cook mexican food.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Jan T. 6 years ago on Google β€’ 141 reviews
    This is a great new restaurant to try out. I got the lamb shank which comes with the polenta it was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. My friend got the carne asada which were so tender. As our sides we got the tortillas and rice. The rice was Mexican fusion with Asian flavors. For dessert we got the apple crisps which was so good. The food was excellent but the customer service was out of this world. I highly recommend this restaurant!
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 John D. 3 years ago on Google
    The staff is GREAT, the food and cocktails are AMAZING; best brunch I've had! The owner is also the chef and you can taste the pride in the food he prepares; he came out to meet me at my request, and he visited all the other tables and has a great report with his customers. Jessica was very attentive and helpful. Jordan killed it with signature cocktails. We will DEFINITELY be returning regularly!
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 Sangre B. 2 years ago on Google
    Had heard good things about this place and their delicious food so we decided to give it a try. The decor was great but the ambiance was a bit off. Waitress was not very welcoming at first but she warmed up to us and did a good job attending to us. The food was indeed delicious, authentic and had some unique flavors and we've eaten at many Mexican restaurants all over the U.S. and Mexico. When we got our bill to our surprise we were charged for every bit of salsa (3 lil bowls) which is fine but i feel like they should have informed us that it wasn't complimentary as pretty much every other restaurant doesn't charge for salsa while dining in. We may return one of these days but it won't be on the top of my list.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Venai P. 6 years ago on Google β€’ 47 reviews
    I can not say enough about this restaurant. Six weeks in and I can envision this place being the biggest hit in the IE. It's fairly close to UCR and away from the Downtown Riverside ambience to this area that stands alone in it's characteristics. If I may I'd say it's a sparkling jewel in a mine. My my date and I were ushered in with a glowing energy and a soft smile in the eyes we sat and very large comfortable chairs and I can see the layout of this restaurant had a flow to it it wasn't compromised and it wasn't empty either. there was Urban art painted on the wall large mural, other popular historical Mexican paintings on the bar side of the restaurant. On your left hand side from the entrance you see smaller tables and coffee tables for people coming in for a nice drink after a long days of work or to catch up with some friends. The lighting was dim and romantic and the music really topped it off. I couldn't help myself from dancing and swaying as I took in the beauty of this place it had true character a voice of its own. For desert my date and I were in awe over the menu however we decided to share the Cremoso dish and come back another time to try the others. The white contemporary bowl held abuelitas chocolate pudding with a light berry sauce dripping over fresh picked Black berries, strawberries and blue berries. How yummy! Now if you're not a fan of rich deserts I suggest you try the other dishes maybe the blood orange pancotta dish, with local Riverside oranges. This was so delicious but unfortunately I couldn't finish it. ... There's this recipe for greatness within the restaurant business; add the freshness, add character, a zest of life within the room, good architecture- And you're set! And I believe this place has it. I can't want to come back. Great service! To read more of my review check out my Yelp reviews under the Placita restaurant page. Google reviews said mine was too long for the character limit.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Tarik S. 5 years ago on Google β€’ 5 reviews
    Great place to eat in Riverside! The food is amazing and I mean AMAZING! Prices are great, staff is very professional and nice, this is a true Hidden Gem of Riverside!
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Tera P. 2 years ago on Google
    OK this review is long overdue. Not because I didn’t want to write it, but because I didn’t know how I would put in to words how grateful I am to Elvia & Placita Restaurant Riverside. This is my experience with Placita Restaurant. When it comes to a Restaurant/Bar buyout, we could not have found a better spot for our daughterβ€˜s 21st birthday. Placita Restaurant is a great place period. I mean the food is top-notch. It’s fine dining in a totally kickback atmosphere. The drinks are amazing, they’re not just Instagram approved, but the flavor is something you’ll definitely have to try for yourself. Not to many local Bars/restaurants have been able to get these things all on point. You’re definitely getting an experience through all the flavor of the drinks and taste of the food. I just can’t say enough about this hidden gem. But even more so , the people that own and run Placita!!!! Let me just take you back a little bit. We had been planning this surprise party for several months, maybe even years. It was a decision we made when she graduated in 2020, that we’d go all out (within our means). That being said, it was very difficult to find a place. There were a lot of nice people out there but the places they offered didn’t work one way or another. There’s a lot of ridiculously over priced underrated venues or not able to have the amount of people, do many of the things we wanted to do, and or had so many stipulations on time, music, bringing in outside food, etc. I was almost at my wits end, when I had on a whim sent Placita Restaurant a message. I had never been to the restaurant before or heard anything about it. It was an online flyer I happen to see looking for other venues. I get a call back I believe the same day and the next thing you know I’m meeting Elvia. Now here I’m, sitting down with her and not sure she will hear my heart or if I could even hear my own heart , my words. Crazy as that sounds it gets tiring when you are trying to pull something off for someone that you care about and other people do not know this person therefore they don’t care. So many people just wanted the money. Anyway back to my meeting with Elvia, here we are two women, mothers, mind you, that are going to try to come to an agreement for a party at their restaurant. At first I didn’t know if we were going to mesh. But through sharing some of my ideas and both of us chopping it up, sharing stories as mothers something just clicked, something happened during our conversation. I knew that this was the place! I absolutely knew that Elvia was the right woman for the job. You know when you have this feeling that everything is going to be ok? There may not have been one Specific word you could express, but you just know? Well, that’s what I found in Elvia. She made everything easy for me. If I can be honest, I don’t give up control about anything. It’s a struggle for me. However, suddenly I didn’t feel the need to control everything. I trusted her, I trust her and would go to her again. She did a fantastic job the entire staff did. Their absolutely wonderful chef, their awesome bartender. I absolutely love how they treated us, and took care of everything. I mean everything, from food, drinks to the balloons, piΓ±ata, set up and cleanup and so much more. They were freaking amazing freaking amazing. From or first sit down to the day of the party, Elvia and I met at least once or twice a week. During that time I grew to really like and admire this woman. My daughter means the world to me, and though there are many mothers in this world not very many understand that you will go to any length for your child. That’s both good and bad lol all that aside, for me to feel this strongly about Elvia and Placita Restaurant. It means that I’m telling you, they are amazing and they will take care of you like you are family.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 P R. 1 year ago on Google
    I am so happy I found this restaurant. I love their food it tastes like my grandma's cooking. Homemade and very yummy. Great customer service, nice workers, and Delicious food. What more can you ask for? I love this place! Placita
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 1/5 Garret M. 2 years ago on Google
    Food is about as good as Albertos. Was served appetizers without place settings. No napkins. Not a place to dine at if you dont drink alcohol as they have only alcohol or tap water. Extremely unimpressed. Waitress was unsure of menu and ingredients in dishes. Thanx for the experience.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 2/5 Eddie P. 2 years ago on Google
    Service sucked the waitress took forever to come take our drink order. When she's brought out the forks the paper towel wrapped around it had chili on it I saw her look at it and she walked away, I had to ask for a new set. She would glare at my guest. Just rude for no reason. Food was great though
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 1/5 Mary O. 1 year ago on Google
    I was very disappointed with the service we sat for 15 minutes without a waiter even taking our drink order I had to flag one down ordered bottomless mimosas got the food before the drinks no carafe was left at the table for the mimosas my glass was empty for long periods before I got a refill we went for mothers day Sunday brunch and honestly I would never go back the waitress ruined the entire experience.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 2/5 Y P. 2 years ago on Google
    Do not order the chicken fajitas! The chicken, was a boiled piece of breast with no seasoning. I don't think you can called what they served me fajitas... I was very disappointed. The beans tasted a bit burned. They did give us a free dessert to make up for it. The environment is nice. The food was not good. I give it two stars because of the dessert they offered.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 1/5 Mike J. 2 years ago on Google
    Whoa… so it’s Easter and they didn’t want to be there, I get that. This was the first time in my life that I have had a pile of enchiladas. The waitress thought it was a Chile relleno because the pile was shaped like one! No care, no flavor, no life at this place. It needs bar rescue or Gordon Ramsey to save it.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 1/5 Griselda F. 11 months ago on Google β€’ 63 reviews
    Came in for brunch, and we were greeted by our server, who immediately told us all steak options were unavailable. So I had the chorizo chilaquiles, which were very gross. It was like a plate of chili nachos. My husband ordered the Chile verde plate, and the beans were so dry and disgusting. My kids wanted the French toast, but they were out of that too. We will not come again and I will not recommend it.

  • 5/5 Greg S. 2 years ago on Google β€’ 41 reviews
    What a gem! Fantastic food, excellent service, and the decor would make for a great date destination. Good vegetarian options, but I’m guessing the beans and maybe the rice are not veggie. The flan is tasty but not like what you might expect. There’s an extensive drink menu. The prices are a little on the high side, but totally worth it.

  • 5/5 C. R. 9 months ago on Google β€’ 16 reviews
    Fantastic place. Great service and very nice cocktails. Will make this a regular place to visit. They had very good happy hours specials too.

  • 5/5 douglas p. 10 months ago on Google β€’ 15 reviews
    Great quality food...bring your wallet though

  • 5/5 Tim B. 11 months ago on Google β€’ 12 reviews
    Great ambiance and hands down the best Mexican food in riverside. You should expect a 20 minute wait but if you appreciate quality food you'll be blown away!

  • 5/5 Angelia R. 1 year ago on Google β€’ 6 reviews
    Greeted as we entered and immediately sat down at a table. Our server was attentive and welcoming. I enjoyed the salsa which was fresh, I would’ve liked some salt for the chips but I didn’t think to ask. The chicken enchiladas with the red sauce was great and had a nice little spicy to it. The rice and beans it came with were great as well and cooked perfectly. The tamarindo agua fresca was really good! Super happy with my first experience here

  • 4/5 Patricia M. 3 years ago on Google
    Very good Service and food. Server was very attentive.

  • 5/5 Sea P. 1 year ago on Google
    The waiter was so amazing! He explained everything so well and was so nice and accomodating. I can't give him enough praise!!! However, it smelled a but like cigarettes when we walked in (this is gross for me), and the woman who served us the meals mixed up the shrimp and chicken enchiladas, so folks got the wrong ones. The food was pretty good! Again the waiter was amazing I can't stress that enough. He deserves a raise!!

  • 5/5 Dora L. 1 year ago on Google
    The food was very delicious, the service was great, even the music was very very good. We will definitely be going back. The manager even took time out of here workload to come and explain to us the different sauces and how they are made for their meals.

  • 4/5 Ashley R. 1 year ago on Google
    All the servers are very nice and friendly. The food is always excellent. A little pricey but worth it. Only problem I ever had was the bar not having the ingredients to make the drink I wanted off the menu.

  • 1/5 Uli J. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely horrible experience been here once and it was good I liked everything the mole enchiladas until I decided to go a second time with my girlfriend horrible evening we ordered our food and when the food came out it was cold the sauce the chicken the rice and the beans they were all cold my girlfriend ask the waiter to have them warm it up in the microwave and all they did was put sauce on the enchiladas. I can’t believe they couldn’t just reheat the plate and the sauce was poured over the cold food. My girlfriend loses her appetite and I decide to go the bathroom because my stomach started to feel funny and as I return to find out that she found A PIECE OF STEEL WOOL in her beans that’s absolutely disgusting I wish we would have taken photo my girlfriend was so disgusted she had throw it up I always told people the mole here was good but now I am never gonna recommend this place to anyone ever in my life and I will never return

  • 5/5 Forrest 2 years ago on Google
    Super cute restaurant with great food! Prices are reasonable for the portion size and how good the food is. Come check it out :)

  • 4/5 Jennifer A. 1 year ago on Google
    The food was good the guacamole was great! The salsa was the only thing that was average. It inside was a little bit cold but the service was great!

  • 5/5 Melissa W. 2 years ago on Google
    The Paloma Negra is a dangerously amazingly drink! Their salsa flight offers a great selection of different flavors. I went with a group of 5 and we each loved the food we got. Will definitely come again :)

  • 4/5 Larry A. 2 years ago on Google
    The food was excellent i will come back again every dish we had was tasty. But you need to be patient not enough help to serve your food.

  • 3/5 Jacob K. 2 years ago on Google
    I actually love this place. Food is great, they actually know how to make a drink. But their service.....common, been here 4 times now and every time we go their service is absolutely terrible. It's because they're always understaffed. Maybe they can't afford to hire more waiters. Not sure. But please come in and support this place. So they can hire so more staff

  • 5/5 Richard L. 2 years ago on Google
    We drive by this place all the time living in North Riverside. We frequent the restaurants in the area and have always wanted to try this place out. Wife and I are happy we did, we set down right away (Wednesday evening). I wasn't expecting this place to have the character it does; quaint, cozy and a full bar. We ordered Brussels sprouts, perfectly seasoned and roasted (I'm on a diet πŸ˜…), decided to try my "go to", everywhere I go to start, green chicken enchiladas, they weren't as spicy as my wife's but they are tasty, beans and rice are prepared authentically. Service was just as good. I'm excited to go back for brunch this Sunday Yeah, I'll stay that they next week!

  • 5/5 Emily N. 3 years ago on Google
    Fresh food, nice flavors, friendly service, local friendly, and a good variety on the menu. Would be a fun date night venue. When we were there they had stand up comedy. Nice patio area.

  • 4/5 M M. 3 years ago on Google
    Looked very nice. Didn't eat there, so don't know how's the food or the prices, but the mural outside was beautiful

  • 5/5 Andrea De La R. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing food!Service was on the slow side but I think they were understaffed.I will definitely give it another try!

  • 5/5 Rick s. 3 years ago on Google
    Its a mix of traditional and modern mexican dishes. They have modified their menu due to the pandemic yet they offer great drinks with mexican tequila, mezcal and wines. Love their decor. Start with their wing( they are not wings) and carnitas appetizer ( BBQ ribs with a mexican chile guajillo sauce). Love it. I brought a friend later and we had desserts. I was told they have brunch on Sundays.

  • 4/5 Linda H. 3 years ago on Google
    Cute Mexican restaurant with nice spacious sitting, great chairs, fire place and, bar. Taco Tuesdays brought here. The food was ok... some "regulars" stated beef tacos was the best. Good friendly service.

  • 5/5 Heaven R. 10 months ago on Google β€’ 2 reviews
    Such a hidden gem! Super affordable. The portions are perfect, the quality of the food is amazing, and their brunch is the ABSOLUTE BEST! Delicious mimosas, and I love that they have brunch until much later than usual. A must-try within the city!

  • 5/5 Robert Gutierrez J. 11 months ago on Google β€’ 2 reviews
    If you’re looking for a good dining experience, Ricardo, is the server to request. Very hard working and attentive. Thank you! :-)


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