26 Best American Restaurants near Running Springs

“Deep Creek Drive-In serves amazing food that keeps customers coming back. Despite its dated interior and eclectic decor, the restaurant's dishes, such as the Chile Rellenos and the massive Basura burrito, are life-changing. The generous portions and flavorful ingredients make for an unforgettable dining experience. While the service can be hit-or-miss, the friendly and attentive staff make up for it. Must-try items include the Carnitas Torta with fries, and don't forget to order the salsa to complement your meal.“

“Tapia's Red Cabin is a hidden gem for breakfast, offering delicious meals at great prices. The cabin burger is big and juicy, while the country fried steak has a perfect crust and tender steak. The coffee is also noteworthy. The friendly service and family-owned feel make it a favorite spot for visitors, providing an excellent small-town restaurant atmosphere with welcoming service and quality food choices.“

“The Cedar Glen Inn offers a cozy and friendly atmosphere with big portion sizes at reasonable prices. Diners can enjoy delicious comfort food, including the veggie omelette and champagne brunch, with attentive and knowledgeable servers. The restaurant is a great spot for breakfast or lunch, and its large portions make it a great value.“

“Arthur's Restaurant offers a welcoming atmosphere and phenomenal service, making customers feel at home. The menu features delicious dishes like the Super Melt, Curly Fries, Irish Potato Hash, and the amazing Cheese Burger, all at reasonable prices. The staff is friendly and attentive, ensuring a smooth dining experience even on busy days. With a separate full bar and a cozy ambiance, Arthur's Restaurant is a great spot to visit, feeling like a homegrown favorite.“

“Cheliz Restaurant is a cozy eatery that offers great service and a variety of delicious dishes. The restaurant welcomes customers with a cheerful atmosphere, and the staff is knowledgeable and efficient. The menu features mouth-watering options such as the Cheliz omelette, country potatoes, and twisted chicken "sandwich" with lettuce wrap. The carnitas with green sauce and beef sandwich with homemade onion rings are also popular choices. The restaurant caters to gluten-free diets and offers generous portions, including four corn tortillas with the twisted chicken. The chorizo burrito and 3 egg skillet are also favorites among customers. The homemade country potatoes are a standout, with a soft texture and great flavor. Overall, Cheliz Restaurant is a great spot for breakfast and brunch, with friendly servers and a warm atmosphere.“

“The Villager Coffee Shop is a great spot for breakfast. Located near Dogwood campground, it offers a huge breakfast menu with options for kids. The atmosphere is cozy, with a perfect spot by the window. The service is attentive, and the food is delicious, with highlights including the breakfast burrito and biscuits and gravy. Prices are fair, and parking is available.“

“Bear Springs Bistro & Lounge, located in the Bear Spring hotel, offers a quiet and pleasant brunch experience with accommodating service from staff like Paul. The menu features delicious dishes such as chicken and waffles, Jumbo Shrimp and Scallop with rice, and an Espresso Cream Brulee for dessert. Prices are on the higher end, but the quality of the food is good. The bistro also offers free EV charging during your visit. However, seating on the couch side of tables may be a bit low. Payment can be made with Serrano Club reward points.“

“The Oaks Restaurant is a great little family-owned place with a perfect atmosphere, not too big or small, and good lighting. They serve delicious food, including breakfast burritos with tasty salsa, ham steak and eggs, and perfect hashbrowns and fries. The friendly and accommodating staff provide excellent service, making it a great spot to relax and return to.“

“Saddleback Grill offers a delightful dining experience with a varied menu that changes often. Their dishes, such as bruschetta, steak, salmon, trout, and Jenga ribs, are cooked to perfection. The restaurant's atmosphere can get noisy on Friday evenings, but the service is always prompt and welcoming. The friendly servers add to the pleasant experience, making it a great spot for families and regular visitors, who appreciate the consistent quality of food and drinks.“

“The Grill At Antlers Inn is a mountain-based restaurant offering a pleasant setting and a lively atmosphere. The service is excellent, with helpful staff providing recommendations on the menu. The restaurant serves a variety of dishes, including tempura avocados, burgers, and a 14 oz ribeye steak. Vegetarian and dietary-restricted options are available upon request. The restaurant also has ample parking and wheelchair accessibility, making it a suitable choice for various diners.“

“Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que offers amazing food and a great dining experience according to recent reviews. The servers, such as Onie and Kat, are hospitable and helpful in choosing the best dishes. Customers enjoy the generous portions and reasonable prices. While there were some minor issues like missing meat and salty fries, the overall experience was positive. The manager's presence adds a cool touch to the atmosphere. The birthday celebrations are taken seriously, with complimentary desserts like brownie and ice cream with a sparkler. The menu offers a variety of delicious options, including rib tips, BBQ pulled chicken, Texas brisket, hot link sausage, Tri Tip, sweet corn, Wilbur beans, red skinned mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese. Famous Dave's is praised for having the best BBQ meats compared to other similar restaurants, making it a go-to spot for BBQ lovers.“

“Cedar Glen Malt Shop is a charming burger and malt shop with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Their menu features delicious options such as the mushroom swiss burger with bacon and peanut butter malt. The service is exceptional, with staff always happy to help. The diner-style setting is complete with a nostalgic feel and a limited number of parking spaces. Children will enjoy the fun kids' meals, which come in a cool car box, and the restaurant also offers great value with free refills. Overall, Cedar Glen Malt Shop is a great spot for a tasty meal and excellent customer service.“

“Rock & Brews is a great spot for a quick bite and some good music. The service is always wonderful, with attentive waitresses ensuring everything is to your liking. Vegetarian options are available, including recommended jalapeño poppers. The atmosphere is cool, with no pressure to purchase anything, and the pub grub and draft beer are excellent. Friendly people and a professional manager make for a great experience.“

“Denny's is a restaurant that consistently serves delicious food quickly. The servers are kind, attentive, and efficient, with a smile. Christopher and Juan are notable servers who provide exceptional service, ensuring customers leave happy. Even when short-staffed, the servers remain polite and helpful, offering suggestions like pico de gallo for eggs. The menu items, such as the steak and crepe, are tender and filled with a good amount of filling. Overall, Denny's provides a great dining experience with caring and hardworking servers.“

“Stone Creek Bistro is a remarkable restaurant that serves great food with fast service. Their menu standouts include Duck-fat Fries and Tomato Bisque. While parking can be a minor challenge, the restaurant's exceptional hospitality and kindness make up for it. The staff has been known to go above and beyond to help those in need, even opening their doors early to provide a warm and welcoming space. With a clear passion for their craft, the chefs present dishes that are both flavorful and visually appealing. The staff's excellent customer service and the restaurant's overall charm make it a must-visit destination.“

“The Lakefront Tap Room Bar and Kitchen offers a wonderful dining experience with its unmatched ambiance, especially during sunset, making it an ideal spot for a romantic dinner or a relaxing evening. The staff remains attentive and pleasant, ensuring a positive dining experience, even when the restaurant is crowded on weekends. The menu features a variety of great options, including delicious chili cheese fries with twisted fries, and the drinks perfectly complement the meal. Diners can also enjoy a selection of beverages on tap, including a great selection of beer. Overall, this restaurant provides both delicious food and breathtaking views of the lake.“

“The Burger Boys in California offers a variety of dishes, with their chili cheese fries and pastrami burger being notable mentions. The chili cheese fries are highly praised, while the burger is described as solid. However, some may find the prices to be slightly steep, with a meal costing over $20. The California chicken melt sandwich is a popular choice, even earning the title of "one of the best sandwiches I've ever had." Breakfast options, such as the big boy omelette, have received mixed reviews, with some expressing disappointment in the portion size for the price.“

“Mill Creek Cattle Company is a must-visit restaurant in Mentone, serving delicious food and drinks in a warm and cozy atmosphere. The friendly and attentive staff, including the bartenders, provide excellent service. The menu offers tasty options like Fajitas, corn, and rice, and the live band and Friday Karaoke add to the fun. With impressive catering services, this family-run business is highly recommended and definitely worth a return visit.“

“Jetties Waterfront Kitchen & Drink offers stunning views of the lake and a nicely decorated interior. The service is generally quick, but can be affected by staffing levels. Food is a mixed bag, with some dishes exceeding expectations and others falling short. The Cubano sandwich and smash burgers receive praise, while the fries and chicken fried items are also recommended. However, the bathroom facilities can be a letdown. Despite some areas for improvement, Jetties has great potential and is a great place to try out, especially for its scenic location and waterfront seating.“

“The UCLA Lake Arrowhead Lodge Dining Room offers a charming, mountain lodge-like setting with a timeless traditional ambiance. The restaurant is known for its efficient and hard-working servers, who create a casual and friendly atmosphere. The menu is primarily prix fixe, with a choice of beef or chicken entrees. While the soup and salad are pre-prepared, the sides of veggies and mashed potatoes are notable. The dining experience is efficient, with large groups of students and families often in attendance. Although there are no options for wine or beer, and the dessert is described as basic pudding, the overall experience is positive. The restaurant has received praise for its accommodating staff, especially towards families with small children and those with special needs. The food is highly regarded, with one dining experience being described as one of the best. Guests have continued to talk about their positive experience at the UCLA Lake Arrowhead Lodge Dining Room.“

“Belgian Waffle Works offers a great dining experience. The restaurant is not crowded, with a patio area featuring a retractable awning and patio heaters to keep guests warm. The service is excellent, provided by a friendly and attentive staff, including the owners. The food is delicious and served quickly, with a pleasant atmosphere and beautiful lake views. The restaurant is conveniently located and accommodates dietary restrictions by allowing guests to order from the children's menu. The Belgian waffles are a standout, and the overall quality has remained consistent over the years.“

“St Nick's Patio & Grille is a popular spot, often bustling with customers. The restaurant serves a variety of dishes, including the Jolly Cheese Steak Philly Sandwich and Reindeer Food Veggie Fries, which are highly recommended. Other popular options include the Snow Day Pizza with added Jalapeños, tomato soup, and chili. The cafe also offers juicy cheeseburgers with toppings and generous portions of pizza. With a selection of drinks, including beer, St Nick's Patio & Grille is a great spot to stop by during a visit to Santa's Village.“

“Denny's is a restaurant known for its cleanliness and great service. While some diners have mixed opinions about the food, many have positive experiences. The staff, including hosts and waitresses such as Alyssa and Fabi, are described as kind, attentive, and courteous. They ensure that guests have everything they need, including refills on coffee. Meals are served quickly and hot, and the atmosphere is pleasant. However, it's worth noting that prices may be higher during certain hours of the day.“

“Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews has had mixed experiences. While the food quality, particularly the juicy burgers, has been praised, the service has been inconsistent. Some guests have reported rude treatment from the hostess, while others have appreciated friendly servers like Chris. Prices can be steep, with a total of $70 for two burgers, an appetizer, and drinks. To-go orders have also been hit-or-miss, with some customers receiving incomplete or cold orders. Despite its reputation as a favorite spot, Red Robin has room for improvement in terms of service and value.“

“Lake Arrowhead Sports Grille is a welcoming restaurant offering delicious meals and excellent service. The breakfast burrito with steak and omelette are popular choices, while the steak is highly recommended for lunch or dinner. Fresh sushi and new specials are available for those who enjoy seafood. The staff, including Deanna and Rudy, provide friendly and accommodating service. It's a great spot for both visitors and locals.“