3639 Main St.
Riverside (next to Mission Inn)


Average Overall Rating:

(4 out of 5)

Average Coffee Refill Rating:

(4 out of 5)

(3 out of 5)

Review by: MrBreakfast.com Visitor on 6/23/2016

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The food and desserts have always been good. The staff is very friendly and provide great service. The only issue is the price...they are "pricey." One little comment is on the potato salad. I would prefer a dill pickle potato salad. I believe a restaurant should alway provide both choices, that is, sweet and dill pickle. With that being said, the potato salad is still good compared to other sweet pickle ones that I have had.

Award Nomination: Best Service

Review #25371Review by: MrBreakfast.com Visitor on 11/30/2012

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My wife and I have been eating breakfast here a couple times a month for 2 1/2 years now. The waiters and waitresses are all very good, and are very helpful. The food is good, but it is too exensive for the amount you get. Simple Simons is also a bakery, and I can report as a former resident of the San Francisco Bay area that their sour dough bread is the only good sour dough in town. Don't even waste your time anywhere else on that score. The one chilling complaint is about the owner. He is as cold as a fish, and has absolutely nothing to say to you unless he's asking curtly if you'd like ceramic or paper ( coffee cups ) orange juice, jam, or ketchup . . . very abruptly, without looking you in the eye. It's a bit weird, really. Most of the other employees know us by now, but not the mystery man who takes the money. Maybe if he looked people in the eye, he would get to know some of his longstanding customers. I didn't apply the coffee refill rating because there is a sign on the coffee pot that tells you that the first 2 refills are on the house, but any more will cost you money. I have taken many refills without paying, and never been busted for extra refills.

Review #23802Review by: MrBreakfast.com Visitor on 1/28/2012

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I highly recommend Simple Simons! I like everything I've tried there! The employees always look happy, regardless of how busy it is. The portions are above average! I recommend the croissant club! Biggest croissant I've ever had! Double the size of Jason's Deli! Try it, you'll love it!

Award Nomination: Best Service

Review #22988Review by: dbohulano on 7/24/2010

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Simple Simon's had a fire several months ago, and is currently out of commission. Start looking for them to return in August 2010, so they say. Last time we were there, the bacon (which used to be yummy good) is now thin, stingy, and inconsistent tasting. But, the attitude of the servers had improved. I still love their baked goodies, cakes, and breads. And the granola is hearty, homemade and tasty. Hope they can revitalize their business. I am sure the economy is putting a toll on them as well. I enjoy sitting leisurely out on their patio, sipping as much coffee as I want and gazing at the lovely Mission Inn.

Review #20618Review by: Holly on 5/15/2010

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I've been a devoted customer of Simple Simon's for 15 years. The marinated chicken breast sandwich hooked me, and the desserts are great. I love the atmosphere, too. As for the employees, I've never noticed rude attitudes. They've always been very helpful. The owner can be a little edgy, but it makes no difference to me. Nothing is better than lunch at the scenic restaurant and time to browse the antique stores afterward.

Review #20040Review by: MrBreakfast.com Visitor on 4/26/2010

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Several years ago, I went to Simple Simon's for breakfast. I ordered a croissant, fruit and coffee. The total was nearly $10. I asked for butter for the croissant and was told that it would be 50 cents extra! I couldn't believe my ears, and asked the owner, who confirmed this new policy. He complained that the prices were too low for this kind of generosity, and that people took unfair advantage of free butter. Having been a loyal customer for the previous 15 years, I felt kicked in the teeth and have never been back, though I miss the food very much.

Award Nomination: Biggest Ripoff

Review #19915Review by: seattle_love on 7/17/2009

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I miss this place.

Award Nomination: Best Breakfast Ever

Review #17486Review by: cspab on 2/2/2008

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The food is good, but the prices are outrageous. A two egg breakfast should not cost close to $10. We didn't like their draconian coffee refill policy (only 1 refill allowed). And the coffee wasn't that good anyway.

Award Nomination: Biggest Ripoff

Review #12632Review by: ranita on 7/29/2007

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the girls are rude!

Award Nomination: Worst Service

Review #10960Review by: Vistee on 6/1/2007

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I love Simon's. It is a bit on the pricier side, but the atmosphere and the food is great. Downtown needs more of these quaint cafes. I hate having the same chain restraunt choices and simons breaks the chain! Try the Marinated Chicken sandwich! It's the BEST!

Review #10509Review by: reubix on 2/14/2007

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Simple Simon's, while being very good for being in Riverside, is not all it thinks it is. The coffee is good but the prices are very high (a simple omelette with coffee and juice can be almost $15!) for the quantity of food one receives. Along with the skimpy portions, they take no credit cards and are very tight-fisted with both ketchup and preserves (they are meted out only if requested and in the little folded paper cups one receives medication in at a hospital: not appetizing). I've asked for fruit with my eggs (in place of potatoes) and it's often past its prime. The cafeteria-line approach to ordering can be trying as well since one must depend on the whims of the art-student-slacker-boho-babes on duty. From portraying complete disinterest in one's presence to being intensely officious, the help can be flighty. It can also get very crowded, which can make the line to order a mess. Plus, when at full crowd-scene it's unbearably noisy.

Overall, I guess I like it and go there frequently. Not for breakfast, more for lunch...

Review #9629Review by: buffetmolester on 9/30/2006

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Great food-the chicken apple sausage is amazing. The coffee is also excellent. I've never been disappointed with the food. Also great tuna sandwiches. A few negatives...the prices are a bit high for the amount of food you get. They only take cash. Service isn't that friendly. It's always crowded but the line moves fast. If it were a little less expensive I would give it a 5 out of 5. There food really is very good.

Review #8615Review by: JoeyGirl on 3/8/2006

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Great sandwiches, i love their chicken curry one. They have a delicious moist cake layered with almond paste and chocolate ganache - amazing!

Award Nomination: Most Comfortable

Review #6975Review by: dbohulano on 12/4/2005

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Quaint little breakfast and lunch cafe/bakery with freshly baked goodies, breads, pastries. Small breakfast menu, but everything is incredibly good, such as homemade granola, chicken-apple sausage, thick smokey bacon, spinach/feta omelet, and super (serve yourself) coffee. Seating both inside and out. Say !wow! to their bakery items, especially the moist carrot cake, rhubarb tartlets, chocolate croissants, and pecan sticky buns. They always have nice surprises in their bakery. Closed on Sundays.

Award Nomination: Best Breakfast Ever

Review #6371


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Reviews submitted here are meant to pertain to breakfast only. While Mr Breakfast cannot vouch for the validity of each restaurant review, he feels pretty good vouching for the excellent character of the residents of Riverside, California - who are primarily responsible for the review(s) you see above for Simple Simon's.