These San Bernardino County restaurants closed in the first half of 2023

The County of San Bernardino saw several well-known restaurants closing in the first half of 2023, with Redlands in particular taking a hit.

Not all of the businesses, however, were ready to call it quits.

Here are some of the changes in the dining scene.

No trace of Cuca’s Mexican Food remains on the exterior of this building in Rialto. (Photo by Fielding Buck, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The Magic Lamp Inn in Rancho Cucamonga dates from 1955. (Photo by Fielding Buck, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A sign designating the Magic Lamp Inn a Route 66 roadside attraction leans against the building in Rancho Cucamonga. (Photo by Fielding Buck, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG

Olive & Citrus in Redlands closed after a New Year’s Eve disco party. (Photo by Fielding Buck, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Olive & Citrus, Redlands: This fine dining restaurant at 255 E Olive Ave. closed on Dec. 31 after a New Year’s Eve disco party. The building, which dates from 1922, was snapped up by the owners of Citrone, who wanted to move their fine dining establishment at 328 Orange St. to a larger space. Citrone closed on Orange Street in mid-March and reopened on Olive a few weeks later.

Hime Sushi, Chino: This restaurant at 4110 Edison Ave. boasted a long menu of fresh, baked and tempura rolls. It closed in early January but rebranded itself as Gochoo, a ramen shop, and quickly reopened in a new location, 4024 Grand Ave. Chino.

Cuca’s, Rialto: The Cuca’s Mexican Food chain shrunk by one restaurant when this full service eatery closed after 24 years at 119 Riverside Ave. It occupied a former a former Pacific Electric Railway Depot that the city wants to restore.

Hickory Jack’s Barbecue, Redlands: This eatery was at 2087 Orange Tree, across California Street from the demolished Splash Kingdom water park. It had once been an outpost of Mentone’s Mill Creek Cattle Co. and underwent a makeover in 2014 for the Food Network reality series “Restaurant Impossible.”

Original Mona Lisa, Redlands: This drive-thru served pasta at 1405 W Colton Ave. It has closed at that location while its owner seeks a new home for it, according to a March 29 Facebook post.

Pablo’s Taco Bender, San Bernardino: This family-owned eatery at 1232 W. Base Line St. opened in 1968 and shut down May 6. Paul and Michael Perea, who took it over from their parents, retired and sold the property, according to a Facebook post.

Magic Lamp Inn, Rancho Cucamonga: This steakhouse at 8189 E. Foothill Blvd. might be in limbo rather than permanently closed. It was founded in 1955 by John Clearman, who specialized in theme restaurants such as the Clearman’s North Woods Inns, which still exist. This restaurant had an Arabian Nights theme and a Bavarian feel, as described on its website. A sign designates it as a Route 66 roadside attraction. It ceased operations sometime in the spring, according to Yelp reviewers who said they showed up with Mother’s Day reservations to find it closed. Ontario officials said in an email the current owner is looking for an operator to reopen it. The owner could not be reached for comment.

Bear House Family Restaurant, Crestline: This eatery owned by Omar Osorio was at 23420 Crest Forest Drive. It served Crestline for 11 years, even remaining open after a series of snowstorms cut off the mountain city last winter. It closed at the end of May, but according to a Facebook post is relocating to the Osorio Brother’s Restaurant at 26545 CA-18, Rimforest.

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