DINING
Get your grub on T
he number, quality and variety of restaurants in Chico will astound your taste buds. From Asian to Italian, and fine dining to fast food, there are dozens of excellent locales to sate your hunger. Chico boasts not only the usual chain restaurants, but also a large number of unique and exciting locally owned eateries, specific to this beautiful city. A good number of them even use produce and meats grown and raised locally. Want to try it all? Taste of Chico is an annual event scheduled for Sept. 14, 2014, including many of the city’s most celebrated restaurants, and accompanied by live entertainment. KEY TO SYMBOLS $ Entrées less than $10 $$ Entrées priced $10-$15 $$$ Entrées priced $15 and up
Enjoy Teriyaki
Noodle House
Rice Bowl
Delicious Korean specialties, including bibimbab and cellophane noodles. Also serving potstickers, tempura and teriyaki combos for dining in or taking out. Beer and sake served, open late on weekends. 450 Broadway, 899-9344 $
Delicious Vietnamese and Asian-fusion cuisine including soups, bowls and wraps. 605 Mangrove Ave., 345-2022, www.noodlehousechico.com $
A sit-down restaurant serving Chinese and Japanese cuisine, including a sushi bar, beer and wine. 2804 Esplanade, 899-9098 $$
Ojiya Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
Rice Wok
Everyday Vietnamese Cuisine New restaurant on the west side of town offering Vietnamese food, coffee and tea. Open daily, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 951 Nord Ave., Ste. A, 893-2888 $
Gen Kai Japanese Cuisine & Sushi Bar Try traditional Japanese dishes or the sushi bar at this longtime Chico favorite. 605 Mangrove Ave., 345-7226, www.genkaichico.net $$
Ginger’s Chinese Restaurant Specializing in Szechuan, Mandarin and Hunan cuisine. 2201 Pillsbury Road, 345-8862 $$
Sit around the hibachi and watch the chefs grill steaks, seafood and vegetarian fare. There’s a sushi bar, too. 2477 Forest Ave., 899-1199 $$$
Panda Express Serving up traditional Chinese favorites and other creations—fast. Drive-through available. 2443 Cohasset Road, 345-7389 $
Peeking Chinese Restaurant San Francisco chef Ken Zeng presents lunch and dinner specials in a unique atmosphere. Closed Sunday. 243 W. Second St., 895-3888 $$
Happy Garden This family-run restaurant specializes in delicious, healthy Chinese cuisine served in generous portions in a nice atmosphere. Dine-in or take-out available. 180 Cohasset Road, 893-2574 or 893-5068 $$
Asian Aonami Sustainable Sushi
Chan Pheng’s Mandarin Cuisine
Izakaya Ichiban
Asian fusion and Japanese cuisine made mostly from North State ingredients and served in a sleek, modern atmosphere. As the name implies, the fish is sustainable (nothing on the “red” list!). Lots of vegan options, too. 1008 W. Sacramento Ave., 924-3168 $
Big Tuna Sushi Bistro A cozy restaurant featuring traditional Japanese sushi, plus a variety of appetizers. 1722 Mangrove Ave., 345-4571 $$
Broadway Market & Deli Serving Chinese food with lunch, dinner and vegetarian specials available, along with an assortment of “bubble teas.” Eat in or take out. 128 Broadway, 899-8368, www.broadwaymarketanddeli.com $
Chada Thai Cuisine Serving authentic Thai dishes, including
Serving Mandarin, Hunan and Szechuan cuisine. Delivery available. 1140 Mangrove Ave., 894-6888 $
Chicoichi Ramen Chicoichi Ramen features a simple menu of authentic ramen, donburi, salads and sushi in a comfortable Japanese setting. Patio dining available; live music on Friday evenings. 243 W. Ninth St., 891-9044 $
Cocodine Thai Cuisine Specializing in flavorful and healthy authentic central and northeastern (Issan) Thai cuisine. 2485 Notre Dame Blvd., Ste. 250, 891-1800 $$
Egg Roll King Chinese-style fast food; drive-through window and indoor seating available. 659 Palmetto Ave., 893-1838 $
The sister restaurant to Big Tuna Sushi Bistro, serving Japanese tapas and traditional Japanese cuisine. 2000 Notre Dame Blvd., 342-8500 $$
Japanese Blossoms Offering authentic Japanese food and a sushi bar. 2995 Esplanade, 891-9022 $$
Kwando Restaurant Featuring a hibachi grill and Chinese buffet featuring a huge sushi bar, salad bar, carving bar, oysters, shrimp, dim sum, soup, fish, desserts and appetizers. 740 Mangrove Ave., 343-6788 $$
Mekkala Thai Cuisine A family-owned and -operated Thai restaurant offering an elevated but casual dining experience. Lunch specials and take-out available. 1196 E. Lassen Ave., 636-4620 $
Sushi King & Boba Tea Zone Sushi, boba tea and slushies. Drivethrough or dine in. 2190 Esplanade, 892-8688 $
Teriyaki House A Japanese fast-food restaurant specializing in teriyaki. Now with three locations in Chico. 951 Nord Ave., 894-3040; 236 W. East Ave., 894-6127; 2454 Notre Dame Blvd., 343-3744, www.teriyakihouse chico.com $
Tong Fong Low
Hula’s Chinese Bar-B-Q
a vegetarian menu. Lunch, MondayThursday; dinner, Monday-Saturday. 117 W. Second St., 342-7121 $$
Authentic and delicious Thai food at reasonable prices. 305 Nord Ave., 342-8842, $$
All dishes made with fresh vegetables and choice of meat (or vegetarian) and spice level. Lunch, Monday-Friday; dinner, ThursdaySaturday. Closed Sunday. 121 Broadway, 343-6843 $$
Vibrant Southeast Asian dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. 163 E. Second St., 893-8811, www.chicohb.com $$ All-you-can-eat Mongolian barbecue with fresh vegetables, noodles, meats and sauces. Beer and wine available. 2540 Esplanade, 342-8564; 1937 E. 20th St., 342-6304, www.hulasbbq.com $$
Sophia’s Authentic Thai Cuisine
Thai Basil
House of Bamboo
Leon Bistro
Asian food served in generous portions quickly. Dine in or take-out. Online ordering available. Closed Sunday. 1354 East Ave., 892-8369, www.ricewokchico.com $$
An institution in Oroville, Tong Fong Low also has a location in Chico, offering authentic Chinese cuisine. 2072 E. 20th St., 898-1388, www.tongfonglow.com $$
Tony’s Chinese Restaurant
Aonami Sustainable Sushi
Peter Chu’s Mandarin Cuisine Tasty Asian food at reasonable prices. 2424 Cohasset Road, 894-8276, www.peter chu-chico.com $$
Pho C & C
Formerly the Chang Hing House. Chinese food for dining in or takeout. Order online for delivery! 951 Nord Ave., 893-8888, www.tonys chinese.com $
Turandot North China Gourmet Cuisine Manchurian cuisine at reasonable prices in an elegant atmosphere. Serving lunch and dinner. 1851 Esplanade, 893-1156, www.turandotrestaurant.com $$
A variety of Vietnamese cuisine, including soups, rolls, noodles and traditional grilled or barbecued meats. 3211 Cohasset Road, 892-1415 $$
Windy’s Chinese Restaurant
Rawbar Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Wok ‘n’ Roll
Downtown’s fab sushi bar and Asian grill offering a full bar, take-out, happy hour, affordable lunches. Reservations accepted. 346 Broadway, 897-0626, www.rawbar chico.com $$
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Serving a variety of Asian favorites, beer and wine. 1000 W. Sacramento Ave., 343-1788 $ Serving popular Chinese entrees and the only Hawaiian barbecue in town. Fast and delicious combos to keep your DINING continued on page 44 Spring/Summer 2014 DISCOVER CHICO 43
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