If you find yourself wandering around downtown Riverside near the Mission Inn, you'll eventually smell it. That distinct, yeasty perfume of fresh bread that seems to anchor Main Street. That's Simple Simon’s Bakery & Bistro. It’s been there since 1983, which in Southern California years is basically forever.
People get confused though. There’s a pizza chain called Simple Simon's that pops up in search results, often linked to Oklahoma or Texas. But if you’re looking for simple simon's menu riverside, you aren't looking for a "Pepperoni Pounder." You're looking for huge sandwiches, sourdough that actually tastes like sourdough, and that weirdly addictive apple chicken sausage.
Honestly, the menu is a beast. It’s overwhelming when you’re standing at the counter with a line of locals behind you.
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The Sandwich Strategy: Beyond the Turkey
Everyone orders the turkey croissant. It’s fine. It’s actually great. But the real moves on the simple simon's menu riverside are hidden in the specialty section.
Take the Roasted Lamb. It’s thinly sliced leg of lamb on focaccia, but they hit it with baba ghanoush, pickled fennel, and feta. It’s messy. It’s salty. It’s easily one of the best things in the 92501 zip code. If you’re not feeling the lamb, the Loaded Smokey is the "adult" grilled cheese you didn't know you needed. They use four cheeses—gruyere, smoked mozzarella, feta, and fontina—then throw in bacon and avocado.
Expect to pay between $15 and $19 for a specialty sandwich. They all come with a side, usually a pasta salad or a green salad. The pasta salad is tangy and has that "homemade at a picnic" vibe.
Breakfast is a Different Game
The bistro opens early, and the breakfast crowd is intense. They do eggs any style, but you’re really there for the bread. The French Toast made with their house-made sourdough or Challa bread is thick. Like, remarkably thick.
The Breakfast Croissant Club is the heavy hitter here. It’s got that signature chicken apple sausage, two eggs, avocado, and your choice of cheese.
What Most People Get Wrong About Simple Simon's
The biggest mistake? Thinking this is a quick "in and out" deli. It’s not. Even with the counter-service model, this place gets slammed, especially on weekends when the Riverside Game Lab crowd and the Mission Inn tourists collide.
You should also know that their "half" sandwich is actually a normal person's full meal. The "whole" sandwich is essentially a loaf of bread stuffed with a deli's worth of meat. If you’re trying to save a few bucks or just don't want to fall into a food coma at your desk, go for the half.
- Pro Tip: Look at the daily specials board before you commit. They often do seasonal soups or quiches that aren't on the printed menu.
- Bread: You can buy whole loaves of the sourdough or olive bread to take home. Do it.
- Seating: There’s a back patio that’s way quieter than the sidewalk tables on Main St.
The Pastry Case Traps
You'll have to walk past the pastry case to pay. It's a trap. The Princess Cake—that bright green, marzipan-covered Swedish classic—is their claim to fame. It’s surprisingly light for something that looks like a decorative pillow. If you want something less sugary, the lemon cheesecake squares or the giant molasses cookies are the way to go.
Prices for treats usually hover around $5 to $7.
Navigating the Simple Simon's Menu Riverside Experience
Parking in downtown Riverside is its own circle of hell. You'll likely end up in a metered spot on the street or in one of the garages a block away.
The menu is categorized by:
Classic Sandwiches (Roast beef, salami, tuna)
Specialty Sandwiches (The Bostonian, Italian Grinder, BLAATT)
Salads (The Winter Salad with gorgonzola and pecans is a sleeper hit)
Breakfast (Omelets, crepes, and granola)
The "BLAATT" is exactly what it sounds like: Bacon, lettuce, avocado, arugula, tomato, and turkey. It’s a mouthful to say and a mouthful to eat. They use a lot of pesto here too, specifically in the Grilled Marinated Chicken Breast sandwich, which uses a walnut-based pesto that’s punchier than the standard pine nut version.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're planning a visit, check the time first. They usually close by 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM, so this is strictly a breakfast and lunch joint.
- Download the Toast app or check their official site if you want to skip the line by ordering ahead.
- Bring a jacket if you plan to sit in the back courtyard; it stays cool back there even when the Inland Empire sun is blaring.
- Ask for the raspberry dressing on the side if you get the Chicken Apple Sausage sandwich—it’s the "secret sauce" that makes the whole thing work.
- Skip the soda and try their black coffee; they brew it strong enough to power a small vehicle.
When you finally sit down with that overstuffed sourdough sandwich, you'll realize why this place hasn't changed its vibe in forty years. It works.