If Arts Bar & Grill is a Riverside institution, Debbie Hodson is the soul of it. A server at Arts for four decades, Debbie has become as much a part of the restaurant as the menu itself. She started her Riverside career at Howard Johnson on University Avenue back in the race track days, where she crossed paths with more than a few NASCAR drivers, before finding her home at Arts in 1985. She never left. Over the years, Gazette contributors have mentioned her by name more than once, including in a recent piece about Downtown Riverside life, where a regular noted that Debbie always knows her order before she sits down. That kind of presence is hard to put into words, but her regulars have tried.
"Debbie is far more than a great waitress at Arts," say two regulars. "She's the kind of person who makes you feel genuinely seen. On packed Taco Tuesdays she somehow spots us from across the room and delivers our regular drink order without missing a beat, and after a stretch away, her warm welcome home is the first thing that greets us at the door. If you're having an off day, she'll be at your side before you've said a word, asking the only question that matters: 'you good?'"
A Taco Tuesday group of regulars agrees: "When you walk into Arts, Debbie makes you feel like you're walking into her dining room for dinner. She knows your name, where you like to sit, what you like to drink, and brings it to you before you can order it. Even though there are often six of us, she knows what we order and our tacos magically appear. Debbie has a wicked sense of humor and welcomes our ongoing banter — to say she gives as good as she gets is an understatement. When we're unable to make our Tuesday visit, we certainly miss the delicious tacos, but we miss seeing Debbie even more."
Debbie has called Riverside home for more than three decades, raising her family here before eventually moving to Temecula after remarrying. But her heart, as she'll tell you, never really left. She still shows up for her customers every shift the same way she always has: like family.
What does Riverside mean to you? It's home. I raised my family here, I lived in Riverside for at least 34 years. I remarried after the death of my husband and moved to Temecula. Arts Bar & Grill has been a staple in Riverside — great food, great people, great atmosphere, a fun place. Everyone has become so important to me and I like to think I am to all the customers. I call them my peeps. I love making new friends as new customers come in. This is the best restaurant in town as far as I'm concerned.
What is your Mt. Rubidoux summit count (estimated)? I've been to the top at least six times. Beautiful. The view is spectacular.
What is your favorite restaurant outside of Downtown or Magnolia Center? Well, it used to be Spunky Steer on Van Buren and Jurupa Road. But they closed.
What is the most beautiful building in Riverside? Besides the Mission Inn, I think the Fox Theater is very nice. Nothing beats the Mission Inn. I've been in the Fox at least a half dozen times — it's beautiful. Gone to concerts there.
What is your favorite Riverside small business? Arts Bar & Grill of course. Next would be Back to the Grind. Darren is the best! Great coffee and atmosphere.
What is your favorite Riverside non-profit organization? Habitat for Humanity. They do a lot for so many people. It's a great organization.
The Festival of Lights: Every year on opening night or maybe on a Tuesday? I've always worked on opening night of the Festival of Lights, but watched the fireworks from Arts. They put on a great, fun time for adults and kids every year.
What is your go-to sandwich in town? Well, that's easy — the Figgy Piggy at Arts. Backstreet also has great sandwiches, although I haven't been in a while.
What is your idea of a perfect weekend day in Riverside? Going fishing with my husband at the park off Crestmore. Or a BBQ at Fairmount Park or Rancho Jurupa Park. Always a nice, relaxing day. Took my kids and grandchildren there for years.
What is your favorite spot for a date night? The Market Broiler for dinner. Great food, relaxing.
Do you call it the Galleria or Tyler Mall? Tyler Mall.
What is one place in Riverside you would bring back if you could? The Riverside Raceway. It brought so many people to Riverside. I never understood why they took it away for another mall.
If you could put one message on a billboard on the 91, what would it be? Best food in town at Arts. Or: Be kind to one another — everyone is going through something.
Finally, what are you working on right now, and how can our readers support your efforts? One of my passions is that I believe everybody should be celebrated on their birthday. I try to celebrate people. Every day God gives you should be celebrated. Enjoy life, enjoy other people, make friends and be a friend. Be the ear people need, and help when possible.
Neighbor of the Week is our way of celebrating the hidden heroes of Riverside—those who go above and beyond to make our community stronger, kinder, and more vibrant. We believe every remarkable Riversider deserves their story told. Know someone who’s making a difference? Nominate a Neighbor of the Week
