Chico Restaurants

The Black Crow has succumbed to the hardships of this down-turned economy and has closed its doors. It was a good place, with good food, lively fun, and a good location, but it just couldn't survive. So we have to say goodbye to one of Chico's icons.

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The Bear, as it's called by Chicoans and the college students who habituate the place, is a rockin' and raucous venue on weekend nights when the college students are in town! There's an upstairs, a downstairs, and a back patio - music, dancing, pool, pinball, free wireless internet, Trike Races, Two Trip Tuesdays, sports TVs, you name it, it's happening! Great pub fare (burgers, "hot dawgs," munchies), microbrews and imports and - of course - our own local Sierra Nevada brews.

But it's not only college students - locals of all ages like to drop in for a burger and a brew, maybe catch a game or play a little pool (sometimes more so when the students are NOT in town, just so it's a LITTLE quieter). The Bear has been a Chico eatery icon since 1977 and offers a crazy, mixed up, funky-fun atmosphere of antiques and movie memorabilia. If you're visiting Chico, you definitely have to check it out!

Favorite Dish: Try the famous Papa Bear Burger: the traditional burger and fixins PLUS cheddar, bacon, beer battered onion rings, and Bear-B-Que sauce,

Or the Bravo Avocado Burger: avocado slices, sour cream, mayo, diced green chilies & jalapeño cheese.

Be sure to grab plenty of napkins!

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This is one of our favorite restaurants in Chico, both for its Japanese food, and for its local flavor! The owners are local, the cuisine is Contemporary Sushi and Fusion Asian Cuisine. They serve both modern and traditional sushi, along with a menu full of cooked dishes ranging from appetizers to desserts.

The Master Sushi Chef is Masaki Tanaka, known to all of us as "Mike," and a frequent and popular visitor to the restaurant is Kimihiko Nomura ("Kimi"), Professor of Japanese in the Department of Foreign Languages at California State University, Chico.

It's a fun place with a great menu, an unbelievable array of sakes (both hot and cold) and a selection of "saketinis."

Favorite Dish: Who can pick just one Favorite Dish?? But the Homemade Miso Soup is to die for; the Edamame with Kosher salt is excellent, not to mention the Ginger Pork Potstickers. Everything Sushi is wonderful ~ fresh and well-prepared! My favorites are the Eel Unagi, the Spider Crab, and the Angry Philly.

And we ALWAYS order the special!

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Artistically designed venue that feels just right. The food is innovative Californian. Very fresh with subtle but complex flavors. Add great coffees and teas, wines and beers plus live music 3 nights/week. For late risers, breakfast is served (along with lunch) until 2 pm.

Favorite Dish: Coda Benedict, Parmesan crusted focaccia with Bearnaise and fresh spinach and a french press full of coffee. Since I hate to leave the place, I follow that up with a pot of Organic Mint Melange tea. Peace.

The Graduate is a longtime favorite in the community, especially with the college students. It’s known for burgers, beer and sports. Orders are taken at the counter then it’s a free-for-all to find a table. Waitresses (formerly clad in rollerskates) bring your food to the table for you. This place is always hopping and it can be often difficult to find a table. But it’s a great casual place to watch sports, hang out with friends and grab a beer. The burgers keep people coming back for more.

Favorite Dish: It's all about the burgers.

Well, you haven't really experienced Chico till you have had Jon n' Bon's. It's got a great location downtown by the city park, and good food too: build your own frozen yougurt. It's got lots of flavors of delicious frozen yougurt, and a ton of really good toppings. Chico gets plenty hot in the summer, so grab something from this place an go enjoy some music in the park.

Favorite Dish: Something chocolatey with chunky chocolatey stuff on top.

Aca Taco is one of the most popular Mexican restaurants in Chico amongst the students. It is pretty cheap and the food is very, very good. There are two locations, one at the corner of 5th and Ivy, and one located in the Safeway shopping center on the corner of Hwy 32 (aka Nord) and West Sacramento Ave. I usually went to the one on West Sacramento, and I think it is a little better than the one on Ivy street. You can't go wrong with anything you order here, and if you appreciate Mexican food, you will love Aca Taco. It's a smaller place, and is set up in the cafe style (order, grab food, take back to table), so sometimes it may be hard to find a table, but you can always call in an order to go.

Favorite Dish: I was always a huge fan of the Aca Nachos, which are some of the best nachos I've found in Chico.

Madison Bear Garden is known fondly as “The Bear”. It’s close proximity to the University campus (it’s practically ON campus) makes it a popular spot with the students. During the school year The Bear is overrun with drunk college students but in the Summer locals will stop in for a beer and a burger on the outdoor patio. During peak times this is a place to party, get drunk and watch sports. The décor is eclectic, the drinks are cheap and the burgers are good (or so I’ve been told… I haven’t had a burger in years). It’s definitely a “scene” on the weekends.

Favorite Dish: Go for the burgers.