Sizzling Molcajete Chapala at Chapala Cafe & Grill in FontanaQuesabirria tacos with melted cheese and consomméTorre Chapala layered seafood tower
    Chapala Cafe And Grill

    The 210 Corridor Stop · Fontana, CA

    Where to Eat on the Way to Big Bear

    4.4★ on Google· 15891 Foothill Blvd, Fontana, CA 92335

    Quick Answer

    Where should I eat on the drive up to Big Bear?

    Chapala Cafe & Grill in Fontana is the practical last real meal before the mountain — 15891 Foothill Blvd, Fontana, CA 92335, minutes off the 210 and roughly 25 minutes before the 330 turnoff in Highland. Eat breakfast from 8 AM, or grab burritos and trays for the cabin. Prices on the mountain are double; this is where locals stock up. Call (909) 871-8620.

    Every Big Bear trip from Los Angeles, Orange County or the coast takes the same shape: the 210 east, the 330 up through Highland, then an hour of switchbacks. The decision people regret is not stopping before the climb — because once you are on the 330 there is nothing, and once you are in the village everything costs mountain prices.

    Fontana is the right place to make that stop. We are minutes off the 210 on Foothill Blvd, about 25 minutes before the 330 turnoff, and we open at 8 AM — early enough for the crowd that leaves at dawn to beat weekend traffic up the hill. Chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, machaca and loaded skillets are what most people order before a snow day.

    The smarter move is ordering for later too. A bag of burritos, a taquito tray or a full party tray in the back of the car means the first night at the cabin does not turn into a $200 dinner or a Vons run in ski clothes. See our cabin trip catering page for what actually survives the drive and reheats well in a rental kitchen.

    Why Chapala?

    • Minutes off the 210, ~25 minutes before the 330 turnoff
    • Open 8 AM daily — catches the early-departure crowd
    • Breakfast, birria and burritos before the climb
    • Stock the cabin: trays and burritos cost a fraction of mountain prices

    Planning the stop: the Big Bear route

    Everything below is specific to the Big Bear route — which exit to take, how long the stop actually costs you, and what travels well once you are back on the road.

    Where this fits on the drive

    From the 210 take Sierra Ave or Cherry Ave south to Foothill Blvd, or come straight down Foothill (Route 66) — we are on the north side with free parking. Back on the 210 you are about 25 minutes from the 330 in Highland, then roughly another hour to the village depending on chain control and weekend traffic.

    Why stopping here beats stopping up the mountain

    Mountain restaurants run resort pricing and resort wait times, especially on a holiday weekend. A full breakfast down here costs what a sandwich costs up there, and you get it in twenty minutes instead of an hour behind a lift line crowd.

    Stocking the cabin on the way through

    Trays need 24–48 hours notice, so call the day before you drive. Burritos, tacos dorados, taquitos, rice and bean trays and birria with the consommé packed separately all reheat well in a rental kitchen. Cold mariscos trays travel fine over ice for the drive up.

    Real Photos from Chapala Cafe & Grill

    Chilaquiles before the climb
    Chilaquiles before the climb
    Carne Asada Skillet
    Carne Asada Skillet
    Birria — travels beautifully
    Birria — travels beautifully
    Fuel up before the 330
    Fuel up before the 330

    Since day one in Fontana

    Who cooks your food — and who we cook it for

    A family kitchen on Foothill Blvd

    Chapala Cafe & Grill is family owned and family run at 15891 Foothill Blvd in Fontana. The name comes from Lake Chapala in Jalisco — the region our recipes come from, and the reason you will find Guadalajara staples like tortas ahogadas, carne en su jugo and birria de res on the menu next to coastal Sinaloa-style aguachiles.

    Cooked from scratch, every single day

    Birria is simmered overnight so the beef pulls apart by morning. Salsas are ground in house daily. Mariscos are cut and dressed to order rather than pre-mixed. Nothing is bought pre-made and reheated — that is the difference guests taste and the reason Chapala holds a 4.4-star Google rating across hundreds of Fontana reviews.

    Breakfast, lunch, dinner and catering under one roof

    Most Fontana restaurants pick a lane. Chapala runs a full Mexican desayuno menu from 8 AM, a lunch and dinner menu of tacos, molcajetes and traditional plates, a complete mariscos program, and a catering operation that feeds crews, congregations, offices, weddings and quinceañeras across the Inland Empire.

    Events we actually cater

    Quinceañeras & weddings

    100–500+ guests

    Taco bars, birria and carne asada stations plus late-night taco service for receptions across Fontana and the Inland Empire.

    Construction & job sites

    20–150 crew

    Early breakfast burrito and chilaquiles trays delivered to crew call times, then hot lunch taco bars on the tailgate.

    Church & congregation events

    25–500+ guests

    Fellowship lunches, men's and women's breakfasts, funerals and holiday gatherings with quiet setup and invoicing.

    Schools & districts

    25–500+ staff

    Staff appreciation lunches, in-service days, banquets and graduation events delivered to the bell schedule with PO billing.

    Offices & corporate

    10–200 employees

    Recurring weekly team lunches, client meetings and holiday parties delivered hot at the meeting time.

    Birthdays & family parties

    20–200 guests

    Build-your-own taco bars with kid-friendly and vegetarian options so every generation eats well.

    In the community

    • Feeding local construction crews building out Fontana's warehouse and housing corridors
    • Catering church fellowship meals, funerals and holiday services across Fontana, Rialto and Bloomington
    • Supporting Fontana-area school staff appreciation weeks, banquets and graduation nights
    • Hosting family celebrations — quinceañeras, baptisms, birthdays and reunions — for Inland Empire familias
    • Serving weekend menudo and birria to the same Fontana regulars year after year
    • Employing and buying locally, as a Fontana small business rather than a chain

    Visit Chapala Cafe And Grill in Fontana, CA

    Where to Eat on the Way to Big Bear starts at Chapala Cafe & Grill, 15891 Foothill Blvd in Fontana, CA — minutes off the 10, the 15 and the 210. Sit down, or call ahead and pick it up on your way through.

    Chapala Cafe And Grill

    15891 Foothill Blvd, Fontana, CA 92335 (909) 871-8620 Mon–Thu & Sun 8 AM–8 PM · Fri–Sat 8 AM–9 PM

    Proudly serving the Inland Empire

    • Fontana, CAOn Foothill Blvd, minutes from Downtown Fontana and the 10 & 210 freeways.
    • North Fontana, CAA short drive south from Sierra Lakes, Summit and the North Fontana neighborhoods.
    • South Fontana, CAStraight up Foothill Blvd from South Fontana and the Jurupa Hills area.
    • Rialto, CAAbout 10 minutes east on Foothill Blvd — a regular weekend breakfast stop for Rialto families.
    • Bloomington, CAJust north of Bloomington via Cedar Ave — popular for mariscos and catering pickups.
    • Rancho Cucamonga, CAA quick trip west on Foothill Blvd for birria, molcajetes and seafood towers.
    • Jurupa Valley, CANorth over the 60 for taco bar catering, party trays and weekend menudo.
    • Colton, CAEasy hop up the 10 for catering delivery and large party orders.
    • Ontario, CATwenty minutes west — a favorite for corporate catering and office lunches.
    • San Bernardino, CAEast on the 10 for event catering, quinceañeras and birthday trays.

    4.4★ from 500+ Google reviews

    • "Chile verde on point 🔥 Best Mexican food in Fontana, hands down."

      Marco R., Fontana

    • "Food is delicious and service is excellent. The molcajete is a must-try!"

      Jessica M., Fontana

    • "Great tacos and friendly service. We come here every weekend for breakfast."

      David L., Fontana

    Read all reviews on Google

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Chapala Cafe & Grill in Fontana, minutes off the 210 and about 25 minutes before the 330 turnoff — the last full scratch kitchen before the climb.

    We open at 8 AM every day, which works for groups leaving early to beat weekend traffic up the hill.

    Yes, and most people should. Burritos and taquitos for the car, or a party tray ordered 24–48 hours ahead to cover the first night at the cabin.

    Roughly 90 minutes to two hours to the village depending on traffic, weather and chain control on the 330 and 18.

    Something that holds you: the Carne Asada Skillet, chilaquiles con huevo, machaca, or the Birria Combo if you want the broth.

    Yes. Chapala is a family-owned and operated Mexican restaurant in Fontana. The same family cooks the recipes, greets guests and runs catering.

    Everything is made from scratch daily — birria simmered overnight, salsas ground in house, mariscos cut to order — plus one of the widest menus in Fontana covering breakfast, tacos, seafood and catering under one roof.

    Yes. There is a full kids menu, high chairs, generous shareable portions and a relaxed dining room that welcomes big family tables.

    Call (909) 871-8620 ahead for parties and we will arrange seating and prep for your group.

    We accept cash and major credit and debit cards in the restaurant, and catering can be invoiced for businesses, churches and schools.

    Authentic regional Mexican cooking — Jalisco-style birria and tortas ahogadas, Sinaloa-style aguachiles, traditional menudo and desayunos — not Tex-Mex.

    Chapala Cafe & Grill is open Monday–Thursday and Sunday 8 AM–8 PM, Friday–Saturday 8 AM–9 PM. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served every day we are open at 15891 Foothill Blvd, Fontana, CA 92335.

    We are at 15891 Foothill Blvd, Fontana, CA 92335, on Foothill Blvd between Cherry Ave and Sierra Ave — minutes from the 10 and 210 freeways with free on-site parking.

    Call (909) 871-8620 to place a pickup order, ask about today's specials, or book catering for your event.

    Yes. Order delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats or Grubhub, or call (909) 871-8620 for pickup. Catering orders can be delivered across Fontana and the surrounding Inland Empire.

    We serve Fontana, North Fontana, South Fontana, Rialto, Bloomington, Rancho Cucamonga, Jurupa Valley, Colton, Ontario and San Bernardino for dine-in, pickup and catering.

    Yes, there is free parking on site at 15891 Foothill Blvd, with easy access for large group and catering pickups.

    Yes. We seat families and large groups, and we cater parties of 10 to 500+ guests. Call (909) 871-8620 ahead for big tables so we can set up for you.

    Yes. Chapala caters taco bars, birria trays, carne asada, mariscos platters and breakfast trays for weddings, quinceañeras, offices, churches, schools, construction sites and birthdays. Call (909) 871-8620 for a same-day quote.

    Yes. Bean and cheese burritos, cheese quesadillas, rice, beans, veggie tacos and chilaquiles without meat are all available, and most plates can be made meatless on request.

    More for the Big Bear route

    Fontana Catering by Chapala

    Serving a crowd? We cater taco bars, birria trays, carne asada and mariscos platters for 10 to 500+ guests across the Inland Empire.

    Catering & Party Trays by City

    We cook in Fontana and deliver across the Inland Empire. Each city page covers the drive, the delivery window, the venues we serve there and how to book.

    Mexican Catering in Rialto

    About 10 minutes east from our Fontana kitchen — Downtown Rialto, North Rialto, Bloomington border.

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    Mexican Catering in Bloomington

    About 8 minutes south from our Fontana kitchen — Valley Blvd corridor, Cedar Ave, Santa Ana Ave.

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    Mexican Catering in Rancho Cucamonga

    About 15 minutes west from our Fontana kitchen — Victoria Gardens, Terra Vista, Alta Loma.

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    Mexican Catering in Ontario

    About 20 minutes southwest from our Fontana kitchen — Ontario Ranch, Downtown Ontario, Guasti.

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    Mexican Catering in Colton

    About 15 minutes east from our Fontana kitchen — Downtown Colton, Reche Canyon, Cooley Ranch.

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    Mexican Catering in Jurupa Valley

    About 20 minutes south from our Fontana kitchen — Mira Loma, Glen Avon, Rubidoux.

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    Mexican Catering in San Bernardino

    About 20 minutes east from our Fontana kitchen — Downtown San Bernardino, Del Rosa, Verdemont.

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    Mexican Catering in Riverside

    About 25 minutes south from our Fontana kitchen — Northside, Canyon Crest, La Sierra.

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    Mexican Catering in Highland

    About 25 minutes northeast from our Fontana kitchen — East Highlands, Base Line corridor, Highland Ave.

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    Mexican Catering in Redlands

    About 30 minutes east from our Fontana kitchen — Downtown Redlands, South Redlands, North Redlands.

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    Mexican Catering in Loma Linda

    About 25 minutes east from our Fontana kitchen — Medical center district, Barton Road corridor, University area.

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    Mexican Catering in Grand Terrace

    About 20 minutes southeast from our Fontana kitchen — Barton Road corridor, Mount Vernon Ave, Blue Mountain area.

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    Mexican Catering in Upland

    About 20 minutes west from our Fontana kitchen — Downtown Upland, North Upland, Euclid Ave corridor.

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    Mexican Catering in Eastvale

    About 30 minutes southwest from our Fontana kitchen — Limonite corridor, Hamner Ave, Sumner Ave neighborhoods.

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    Mexican Catering in Chino

    About 30 minutes southwest from our Fontana kitchen — Downtown Chino, Preserve, Chino Hills border.

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    Mexican Catering in North Fontana

    About 10 minutes north of the restaurant from our Fontana kitchen — Sierra Lakes, The Summit, Coyote Canyon.

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    Mexican Catering in South Fontana

    About 8 minutes south of the restaurant from our Fontana kitchen — Jurupa Hills, Southridge, Live Oak.

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    Business, Medical & Industrial Catering

    Kaiser Fontana departments, distribution centers, trucking yards, plants, medical offices and hiring events — catering built around badge access, dock numbers and shift clocks.

    Catering Near Kaiser Fontana

    Two miles down Sierra Ave — department lunches, shift meals and appreciation spreads.

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    Hospital Catering, Inland Empire

    Kaiser, Arrowhead, Loma Linda and San Antonio Regional — trays that survive a pulled unit.

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    Medical & Dental Office Catering

    No-assembly trays delivered inside a 40-minute window between appointment blocks.

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    Pharma Rep Lunch Catering

    Delivered to the minute, built to your per-head cap, itemized receipt for reporting.

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    Warehouse Catering, Inland Empire

    Mira Loma, Slover Ave, Santa Ana Ave and the ONT freight district — 50 to 500 associates.

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    Logistics & 3PL Catering

    Client site visits, go-lives and dispatch floors that cannot all step away at once.

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    Trucking & Driver Catering

    Driver appreciation food engineered for people who arrive across a twelve-hour spread.

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    Peak Season Warehouse Catering

    Recurring Q4 schedules with rotating menus — book it in September, not November.

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    Night Shift & Graveyard Catering

    Hold-well trays delivered before close so the 2 AM crew eats real food.

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    Safety Meeting Catering

    Toolbox talks, stand-downs and milestone lunches — delivered before the briefing starts.

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    Manufacturing Plant Catering

    Portioned per shift into labeled pans so C-shift never gets the leftovers.

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    Staffing & Hiring Event Catering

    Job fairs, orientations and day-one lunches with a held reserve for unpredictable turnout.

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    Employee Appreciation Catering

    The upgrade from pizza — taco bars that read as an occasion for 20 to 500 people.

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    Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting

    Appetizer-forward spreads that still look intentional at hour three of an open house.

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    Catering Near Ontario Airport

    Freight and cargo operations, airline crews, airport-area offices and hotel meeting rooms.

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    Utility Crew Catering

    Electric, gas, water and telecom crews — delivered to cross streets, not an address.

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    City & Public Works Catering

    W-9 on file, purchase orders accepted, net-30 invoicing and itemized receipts.

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    Road & Freeway Crew Catering

    Night lane closures and moving work zones — food staged for a crew eating at midnight.

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    Emergency & Storm Response

    Same-day surge volume for outages and main breaks, invoiced after the fact.

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    Roofing & Solar Crew Catering

    Delivered into the shade break, packed one-handed, built around 5 AM summer starts.

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    Concrete Pour Crew Catering

    A pour cannot stop — food that waits while the crew eats two at a time.

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    Commercial & Residential Builds

    One order for every trade on site, delivered to a gate and a trailer, billed to whoever pays.

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    Passing Through? Freeway & Road Trip Stops

    We are minutes off the 10, the 15 and the 210 on historic Route 66 — which exit to take, how long the stop takes, and what to order for the road.

    Mexican Food Off the 10 Freeway

    Exit Sierra Ave north to Foothill Blvd — how long the stop takes and what travels well.

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    Mexican Food Off the 15 Freeway

    Foothill Blvd exit, straight east — the last scratch kitchen before the desert run north.

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    Food on the Way to Las Vegas

    The last normal-priced meal before the Cajon Pass, Victorville and the desert run.

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    Coming Back From Las Vegas

    First real sit-down kitchen after the pass — all-day breakfast at any hour.

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    Last Stop Before the Cajon Pass

    Grade, wind, weather and 35–40 minutes with nothing. Eat before you climb.

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    For High Desert Travelers

    Down the hill from Victorville and Hesperia — one exit off the 15, trays to take back up.

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    Big Bear Cabin Trip Catering

    Trays picked up in Fontana that survive the climb and reheat in a rental kitchen.

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    Breakfast Before a Long Drive

    What to eat at 8 AM so you are not crashing by hour two of the drive.

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    Road Trip Food To Go

    What actually travels — foil-wrapped burritos, vented taquitos, sauces on the side.

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    Group Road Trip Pickup

    One pickup for the whole caravan — labeled burritos and trays staged at your departure time.

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    Mexican Food for Truck Drivers

    Honest parking guidance, big portions and fast call-ahead pickup near the freight corridors.

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    Mexican Food Between LA & the IE

    On Route 66, midway between downtown LA and San Bernardino, minutes off three freeways.

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    Mexican Food Near Ontario Airport

    Twenty minutes east of ONT on the 10 — worth it on a long delay, not a short connection.

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    Sizzling Molcajete Chapala at Chapala Cafe & Grill in FontanaQuesabirria tacos with melted cheese and consomméTorre Chapala layered seafood tower
    Chapala Cafe And Grill

    Authentic Mexican Food in Fontana

    Craving it yet? We're cooking right now.

    15891 Foothill Blvd, Fontana, CA 92335 · Mon–Thu & Sun 8 AM–8 PM · Fri–Sat 8 AM–9 PM

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