San Bernardino’s food scene reflects the wider Inland Empire: diverse, informal and often much more interesting when you move beyond national chains. Mexican food is an obvious strength, but the city’s communities have created a much broader mix of places to eat.
Start with Mexican food
Southern California is one of the best places in the United States to explore Mexican and Mexican-American cooking, and San Bernardino is no exception. Tacos, burritos, tamales and regional specialities make an excellent starting point, particularly at smaller family-run restaurants.
Roadside California
San Bernardino’s connection with Route 66 also makes classic roadside food part of the story. Burgers, diners and no-frills stops fit naturally into a road trip through the area.
The city also has a special place in American fast-food history: the original McDonald’s restaurant opened in San Bernardino in 1940. The original restaurant no longer operates, but the site is associated with a museum dedicated to that early history.
Look beyond the obvious
One of the advantages of travelling through the Inland Empire is the diversity of its communities. Rather than choosing every meal from a familiar chain beside the freeway, search for local restaurants in the neighbourhood where you happen to be staying.
My road-trip rule
If I were spending a couple of days around San Bernardino, I would make one meal about Route 66 nostalgia and another about the city as it exists today. Find a good local Mexican restaurant, try something recommended by people who live nearby and save the predictable freeway stop for when you genuinely need to get back on the road quickly.