Chino or environs for lunch

[Griller141]

Ending up in Chino Friday afternoon. Any lunch suggestions? Chino Wayne???

[scarmoza]

How about something like Centro Basco? I haven't been there in years but my family in Chino still love it.
http://www.calendarlive.com/dining/93...

[Griller141]

Centro Basco is easy to find on Central. Interesting looking place with no windows, a small sign and NO CARS parked. Turns out they close at 2 - got there right at 1:45 but they were closing. Ended up eating at the prison - the guy I was visiting is one of the new prison doctors - they are hiring at a truly obscene salary due to the federal takeover of the prison health system. Ominous atmosphere (talk about eating in a film noir world!) but decent cafeteria food. You will need a court imposed sentence to try it if you're not an official visitor.
Visited a great wine store further down on Central - Napa Cabs (14702 Central).

[ChinoWayne]

Since your criteria seems pretty "open" (I know it is hard to find decent vittles around here, so beggars can't be choosy), I'd say for lunch, Joey's BBQ, East End and Riverside Drive. Anything in particular you are looking for?

[Griller141]

Really not particular - wondered about anything unique in the area. Lately OD'ed on barbeque and steak. Mexican, Italian? Centro Basco (below) sounds really interesting - Basque, I presume. Any knowlege?

[ChinoWayne]

Never been to Central Basco, so that's why I did not recommend it. It has been here for probably 40 years or more, so I guess something must be good. Italian around here is pretty pedestrian, you might consider Peppino's. I made a few reports about them last year (can't seem to find them with the Search function), it has the best potential for an Italian restaurant in Chino, but the food has been uneven, however, nice flat panel TV's and a decent bar.

Owen's Bistro might do lunch (call first) this is about as high end as it gets in Chino.

Here is my report on Owen's Bistro:
http://www.chow.com/topics/308008

You might also give Riverside Grill a shot (again I have not been there, but heard good things about it), it is a former KFC (the KFC is still there across the parking lot in a newer building) next to a car wash, so you can get your car washed while having lunch inside or on their patio.

http://riversidegrillchino.com/

[ChinoWayne]

Oh, and there is a mariscos place I keep forgetting to try, don't remember the name, its on Riverside, on the north side of the street west of Norton, east of Reservoir.

[Griller141]

Thanks - most helpful. Nice review on Owen's. For lunch, though, will probably try the Basque place, though getting the car washed would be more efficient.

[ChinoWayne]

That would be it, you have the Chevron at Riverside and Central, then Riverside Grill, then the car wash, then a little side street and the Portuguese Hall.

Edit: meant to reply this to scarmoza.

[scarmoza]

The car wash! Is it the one across the street from the Portuguese (DES) Hall, Wayne? Oh, the memories!

I expect Centro Basco to still be a sort of old school, comfort food (and plenty of it), sort of place. It's been a long time since I've been there. The french fries and the cow's tongue stand out most vividly in my memory.