Mirchi restaurant

1385 W Blaine St, Riverside, CA 92507, United States
+1 951-400-2825
$$$ Halal restaurant
(112 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Mirchi Restaurant sits quietly tucked away near the side of a Jack in the Box on W Blaine St in Riverside, offering a straightforward dining option for those seeking authentic Pakistani and Indian halal cuisine. Its unassuming location makes it feel like a local secret rather than a bustling hotspot, which matches the calm, no-frills atmosphere inside. This is a place where the focus rests on the food rather than the decor or scene.

The menu leans into hearty, traditional dishes with highlights like Goat Meat Pulao, Chicken and Lamb Biryani, and an inviting Mix Grilled Tandoori Plate. For anyone exploring spices and flavors of Pakistani cooking for the first time, Mirchi serves up a reliably flavorful introduction. The tender chicken, well-marinated in traditional spices, stands out for its rich taste, while the garlic naan and other breads baked fresh in the tandoor balance the spices well. While some dishes, like the goat biryani, carry stronger, more authentic aromas that might surprise newcomers, many appreciate the familiarity and comforting style of the tandoori chicken, seekh kababs, and daal gosht.

Visitors often come here for casual meals, takeout, or even special gatherings, utilizing the party packs and trays designed to feed larger groups. The atmosphere is calm, leaning toward quiet and practical rather than lively or trendy, making it a low-key spot for lunch or dinner where food quality takes precedence over ambiance.

This restaurant is best suited for those who appreciate genuine South Asian flavors without a heavy emphasis on polish or fuss. Locals who are comfortable with the cuisine’s full spectrum of spices and traditional preparations will find a welcoming place here, especially during quieter weekday visits or weekend takeout runs. Service is straightforward and friendly, often staffed by owners who actively engage with guests to help navigate the menu, which can be especially helpful for newcomers or those ordering something specific.

Mirchi’s location away from central downtown Riverside means it mostly serves neighbors and families looking for authentic halal fare in a no-pressure environment. It’s not a place for a fancy evening out, but a reliable spot to enjoy rich, flavorful meals with a focus on tradition rather than trend.

Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves comfort food
Serves halal food
Serves healthy options
Serves small plates
Serves vegetarian dishes
Best for
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Has counter service
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

112 Reviews
Rigo Salazar

29 Dec 2025

Pretty quite place to eat. Definitely tucked into the side of jack of the Box. First time ever having any type of Pakistan style food, if you live spicy this is the place. Chicken was tender and full of flavor from the spices, not sure if it was rice or long pasta, bit it was a lot and it was delicious! Would highly recommend for a first item! They had Naan bread too!! I didn't get any but it looked so good!! Also they got some.major upgrades! Food still taste amazing but now they have tv Menus!

Gabriel Dalim (GBD)

02 Dec 2025

Introduction- This is a Pakistani restaurant. But, they serve some Indian dishes also. As an Indian Asian, this is an average restaurant for me. Quality & experience- The food quality is of course good, but the taste of the dishes are so & so. I believe the owner sits as the cashier & she is a good person. If you don't know about the dishes or have a specific desire for a dish or taste, take her help. She'll guide you to enjoy your meal. If you want to try out Indo-Pak food or first timer, this could be an try-out restaurant for you. The place is clean & tidy. Have seperate restroom for men & ladies and they are cleen. Have plenty of sittings. Menu & price- They don't have a menu. So, you won't be able to know the name, how it is prepared, what is/are in it & the price of the dish. Be assure, most (95℅) of the pulaow (basmati rice), biriyani, meat, kabab, veggie, and daal (lentils) dish items price are $12.99 to $15.99 and enough for 2 person. If you have a big appetite, then 1 order is more than enough. Garlic butter Naan is $6.99. Lassi is $3.99. Their serving portion is more than other Indo-Pak restaurants. Buffet- Sunday is the best day to go as they have the buffet for $15.99 per person from 12 pm to 4 pm. Other days of the week are Ala cart (by order only). Business hours- Their regular business hours are from 12pm to 8pm. But I suggest going earlier/ daytime, as the location swarms with homeless people. Location- Located in a nice and quiet part of Riverside close to freeway. Also closed by homeless people's living area. It has a nice view of mountains. Has a lot of free parking & is wheelchair accessible.

Blue Hawthorne

25 Nov 2025

Amazing food, customer service is great. Will come again soon…

Shahinoor Ali

10 Nov 2025

We had our iftar buffet at Mirchi, price was very reasonable and the food was very tasty. We were served date, pakora and chole with lemonade to break our fast. Puri, halwa and chana was the highlight. We also like the tandoori chicken and nehari. The only down wide was that the goat biryani smelled too goaty. Otherwise, it was a great experience and we will definitely be back.

Manik Sethi

09 Nov 2025

Ordered take out from Mirchi on a Saturday night. Food was amazing. Chicken Tikka was oily but the had the flavor to back it up. The boneless tandoori chicken (boti??) was amazing. The garlic naan was also really good. We didn't eat inside so I can't speak on the service and cleanliness. Overall if you're looking for authentic Indian/paki food I recommend this place.

Syed Gohar

25 Sep 2025

Very difficult to find it but food is good despite heavy on SALT. U need to come into the parking of jack in the box to find it. There are no digns for guidance. Inside Ambiance is bad. Booth seats are very low as compared to the table so sit in chairs in the center. Restroom is quite weird and has no air con. Outside is pretty shady so don't leave ur stuff in the car. I had mutton pullao which was good as well as chicken karahi. Won't recommend mango lassi. Quantity and quality of chai is average. The have buffet brunch on Sundays.

tanisha luthra

22 Sep 2025

The chicken biryani is a must try! I only eat biryani from here. And tried thier butter chicken last time , it’s delicious thick gravy . I would recommend the BIRYANI(chicken or goat) for sure! Service is on time , Enough Parking available

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