Ricardo's Mexican Restaurant, Chico

More than 40 years after it started, Ricardo's Mexican Cocina still specializes in the classics. Behind the scenes, their chefs stuff traditional meats and cheeses inside tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. House favorites include the pan-fried New York pepper steak with sautéed mushrooms and bacon and the chile relleno grande—a cheese-stuffed anaheim chile that's dipped in egg batter, fried, and doused with salsa. All of this is served within a casual dining room with south-of-the-border charm, including exposed red bricks, brightly patterned banquettes, and a cluster of cacti outside the entrance that subliminally reminds diners to drink all their water.