Hunger is a common feeling after my commute from work. But my tiredness is an unmatched obstacle standing in my way. Sometimes you just need to grab a hamburger on your way home and call it a day.
Unfortunately, I don't know where all the good burger joints are in Riverside. In my previous life, Tom's was my main choice. I wouldn't say it's a diner that falls under the category of "must try." For locals, it is probably an establishment that has provided food for them since they were kids. It's not a staple of Pomona, but it is a burger you can count on. What can possibly replace that for me in the city of the Raincross?
Here's the thing: There is an art to looking for the right burger to quench my hunger when I don't want to cook for myself.
It can't be a known chain like McDonald's, Jack in the Box, or even In-N-Out. There is nothing wrong with these choices - they're delicious. But for a tired individual who needs something to match his energy, those buns are just too perfect. After a shift and a long drive home, all I need is something gritty with flavor. During my search, I ran into Daniel Eduardo Hernandez, a reporter from Riverside.
I sat with him over some aguas frescas at Tio's Tacos and had a discussion with him about some of the places I needed to check out in the city, and we talked about a burger to satisfy the hunger I developed during my long drive.
"Tell me about R Burger?" I ask Hernandez.
"It's not even an exceptional burger. It's just greasy, it's filling. They honestly give you more than you expect every time," the local answered. "To be honest, I am more of an In-N-Out person, but when I'm not craving it, when I want to have a little bit more, just go to R Burger."
"You just described Tom's," I reply.
As good as their burgers are, lines for the California iconic burger joint are so long, you can probably order a burger from Tom's or R Burger, grab it, get in line for In-N-Out and finish the first burger by the time you get to the ordering window. I don't have time for that. I just need to grab a burger and go.
Riverside is home to a third of the locations of R Burger. They are sprinkled around the Inland Empire and across state borders in Nevada. I happen to live six minutes away from one. In Pomona, I lived five minutes away from a Tom's. Convenience is definitely a part of what makes the burger delicious. The location falls in the middle of my drive from the freeway to my house. And it has a drive-through - I don't even need to get off.
Before jumping in front of the document to write this column, I tried my very first burger from R Burger. I went with a cheeseburger. If a diner can pull off one, the rest of the menu falls into place. When I got the bag with my food, it had grease stains. The hamburger was juicy, tasty, and big enough to overcompensate for my late lunch. I came and went to the location in less than 10 minutes. The fries were overloaded and there were unlimited drink refills at the location.
It was just what I was looking for. I found my new hamburger spot.
Anthony was born and raised in Pomona. After a decade in education, he now writes for Southern California News Group, LA Times, and LA Taco. He recently moved to Riverside with his wife Evelyn.
