Ah, Blythe: all the inconveniences of a desert town with almost none of the perks. We won’t sugarcoat it. Unless you live in Blythe, you probably dread coming here. But do not let Blythe’s general remoteness convince you that there is nothing delicious here. Against all odds, there are great Blythe restaurants.
Starbucks
$ | (760) 922-4099 | WEBSITE
Starbucks is lightyears more convenient than most of the surrounding coffee options, but it’s also better than nearly all of them. This little kiosk does specialty drinks alongside a small menu of breakfast sandwiches and frapps. The coffee is prepared consistently, and exactly what you want when you’re craving a hot drink on a weekday. We like it for a quick stop, but the seating options are also perfect for a short break (the few tables are great for eating alone).
They also do one of Blythe’s best breakfast sandwiches, which feels like a personal treat since the baristas are always so helpful.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
$ | (760) 922-4582 | WEBSITE
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has teamed up with its corporate roots to bring classic Louisiana-style fried chicken to Blythe—sort of. It’s not a fancy sit-down spot, but it does feature the chain’s signature crispy chicken and a menu packed with hearty sandwiches and specials. But the best part about this place is that it’s one of the only spots in Blythe for a quick, satisfying meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Like all Popeyes locations, the chicken is juicy, well-seasoned, and pairs beautifully with their fluffy fish sandwich or a side of Cajun fries.
Subway
$ | (760) 922-6610 | WEBSITE
Subway is a fast-food chain from Connecticut that delivers on good sandwiches in a clean and efficient space. While it won’t be the best Italian B.M.T. you’ve ever had, it does the job. The restaurant has a single floor, and it’s decorated with bright fluorescent lighting, spotless counters, and simple tables. Very Blythe. It’s perfect for meeting up with road-weary travelers who want to eat a veggie delight while they discuss ‘the next leg of the trip.’
Little Caesars Pizza
$ | (760) 278-5508 | WEBSITE
Little Caesars Pizza is making good enough pizza at the right prices (especially for Blythe). If you live or work nearby, this is a very useful spot. Most of the pies hover around $12, but you should focus on the more filling (and satisfying) pizza combos. We like the classic pepperoni because you get fresh ingredients, better-tasting dough, and their best sides, like the Crazy Bread with garlic butter and a generous portion.
Add an order of the hot, made-to-order wings and you have yourself an easy weeknight dinner under bright fluorescent lights.
Krispy Krunchy Chicken
$ | (760) 922-1000 | WEBSITE
Take a Shell gas station, slam it into a Southern kitchen, and you’ve got Krispy Krunchy Chicken. The menu is designed to cast a very wide net of appeal: chicken tenders, wedges, and biscuits all coexist. The food isn’t going to blow anyone away, but it’s solid and consistent. Bright lights, clean counters, and friendly service make it feel like a spot that could exist in any small-town gas station. So is coming here worth navigating the fuel pumps and convenience store aisles? We think so.
It’s a good quick meal option for indecisive people.
Carl’s Jr.
$ | (760) 922-3500 | WEBSITE
With locations across California and beyond, Carl’s Jr. attracts the sort of families who value convenience and consistency. It’s a casual dining spot with bright lighting, colorful booths, and a cheerful play area visible from most tables. But Carl’s Jr. isn’t just a place to keep the kids entertained, it’s a reliable restaurant that serves our favorite burgers and seasoned fries in town. And if you love quick American classics and have about $25 to spare for a family meal, come here.
Just know that the play area can get a little crowded during peak hours, so be prepared to share the space with other energetic children. Maybe your four-year-old can make friends with the regular who already knows all the staff by name.
Denny’s
$ | (760) 922-3431 | WEBSITE
Breakfast at a family restaurant in Blythe might sound like a chaotic experience that’ll leave you frazzled. But Denny’s is calm and surprisingly affordable. The pancakes and eggs combo is the best deal. For $12, you get a generous stack of fluffy pancakes with perfectly cooked eggs. If you want to treat yourself after a long drive, you can add bacon and get a $15 Grand Slam to celebrate making good time.
Things tend to move efficiently here, which makes it great for a spontaneous family meal, or a quick breakfast before hitting the road.
Rebel BBQ
$ | (760) 922-7000 | WEBSITE
Rebel BBQ is a solid desert destination that’s perfect for a night of smoky indulgence and tender brisket. The Blythe spot is living proof of how satisfying a no-frills barbecue joint can be when done right. Stop by around 6:00pm to catch the comforting aroma of smoked meats that fills the entire dining area. If you’re just swinging by for a quick bite, the counter service is great for watching the friendly staff carefully assemble generous plates of tri-tip and baked beans.
The restaurant might not transport us to Texas like some places claim, but it does make Blythe feel deliciously satisfying—an arguably more impressive trick in this hot desert climate.
Garcia’s Restaurant
$ | (760) 922-5427 | WEBSITE
We’ll be the first to tell you that Blythe has its share of mediocre Mexican spots that leave both your wallet and taste buds disappointed, but Garcia’s Restaurant is our favorite exception. The portions here are huge and reasonably priced (by Blythe standards). We love the beef stew soup—it’s served in a bowl the size of a small cauldron and bursting with tender meat and vegetables. And if the veggie burrito is on the menu, get it.
Food aside, Garcia’s is just an uncomplicated restaurant in a very complicated climate. It’s an obvious local favorite, but also one of the best places for an authentic Mexican meal in all of Blythe.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
$ | (442) 786-1211 | WEBSITE
Technically, this Chipotle Mexican Grill location falls outside Blythe’s main dining corridor—but only by, like, a few blocks. Plus, this fast-casual Mexican restaurant (which specializes in customizable burritos, bowls, and tacos) is friendly, affordable, and very tasty. All of those things are rare in a small town, so it’s a good place to have in your rotation. You can grab a nicely grilled chicken bowl, a great smoked brisket burrito, or an excellent chips and guacamole to-go.
But they also have a clean, comfortable dining area where you can sit down and enjoy a solid chicken bowl, brisket bowl, or other customizable options—all for around $12.
China Garden Restaurant
$ | (760) 922-0088 | WEBSITE
There are so many forgettable Chinese spots in Blythe, but China Garden is one we don’t hesitate to recommend. They make a flawless sweet and sour chicken, great kung pao shrimp, and they’re one of the few reliable dinner options in town we’d happily return to. Not every dish is as good as the chicken, but we appreciate that they’re not afraid of bold, savory flavors. Though it’s in a modest strip mall, the spacious dining area and relaxed service make the outside world feel pleasantly distant.
Sizzler
$ | (760) 922-3808 | WEBSITE
There are Sizzler locations scattered around the country, and they’re all a safe bet for a reliably good meal with friendly service. The Blythe Sizzler doesn’t have our favorite atmosphere out of the bunch, and we blame that on the general highway traffic near O’Rileys auto parts. But it does have the same consistent steakhouse dishes we’ve come to expect from these folks. The Malibu Chicken is crispy, the salad bar is ultra fresh, and the fries are perfectly cooked.
This is one of the last great Sizzlers with generous portions, so keep it in mind if you need a satisfying option for travelers or visiting family who insist on stopping along their road trip.
Steaks n Cakes
$ | (760) 922-4241 | WEBSITE
While trendy breakfast spots have popped up across Blythe, Steaks n Cakes has held its ground in its little hole-in-the-wall location, where it’s remained untouched by fads and fiercely dedicated to unpretentious country fried steak for over 47 years. Blythe’s longest-running diner is still its best. It’s also not for everyone. The space is small, with just a handful of tables. Soft, classic rock plays in the background of the clean, inviting room.
And you’re more likely to encounter a hearty beef dip sandwich with a side of unique drinks than delicate brunch fare. A meal at Steaks n Cakes is a solid hour of the town’s most reliably satisfying comfort food.