AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
Belmont Avenue packs at least 10 local-favorite restaurants across an 8-mile span.It reflects Fresno’s diversity and includes Hmong, American, Mexican and Oaxacan eateries.There is a food truck, a steak house, a donut/Chinese food place and a TikTok famous spot.
If you just moved to Fresno — for a job, for Fresno State, for the weather — nobody is going to tell you to drive down Belmont Avenue to see the city. It’s one of the oldest streets in town, an 8-mile stretch of sun-baked pavement lined with auto shops and security gates.
But Belmont is one of the best places to eat in Fresno. And it might be the single best place to taste the city’s diversity in one afternoon.
The road is home to at least 10 restaurants locals love — decades-old Mexican counters, a Hmong food truck at a gas station, an old-school steakhouse and a Chinese spot that went viral on TikTok. Here’s a newcomer’s tour, working from downtown east toward the country.
Richard’s Prime Rib and Seafood 
Richard’s Prime Rib & Seafood is a classic Fresno restaurant located on Belmont at Blackstone. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
At 1609 E. Belmont Ave., near Blackstone, Richard’s is old-school Fresno — circular leather booths, paintings of naked ladies on the walls, prime rib and whiskey. Richard Stockle opened it in 1969, and his grandson Ben runs it today. Steak, lobster, oysters, crème brûlée. As Richard used to say before his death in 2022, “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”
Adrian’s 
Adrian’s is a Mexican food walk-up taqueria on Belmont near First Street. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
A little walk-up window at 3060 E. Belmont Ave., painted red, white and green, Adrian’s has been a Fresno favorite for 45 years. There’s no dining room — regulars eat in their cars or lean on the outdoor counter. Order the breakfast burritos, anything with the red salsa, and don’t skip the homemade tortillas.
“It’s good old fashion home cooking the way your ‘Abuelita’ used to make,’” one Trip Advisor reviewer wrote.
Tacos Y Mariscos Tijuana 
Tacos Y Mariscos Tijuana aka “Tacos Tijuana” is a Mexican seafood hotspot on Belmont Avenue at Cedar Avenue. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Also known as Tacos Tijuana, this family-run sit-down spot at 4170 E. Belmont Ave. does the familiar tacos and burritos, but seafood is the reason to come. The star is camarones a la diabla — shrimp in a spicy devil sauce, served with beans, rice and vegetables. The pescado frita is a whole fried mojarra fish on a plate. Get the handmade corn tortillas.
Belmont Burger 
Belmont Burger is a burger stand that also has Chinese food and is located on Belmont between Cedar and Maple. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
This is an old-school drive-in-style burger joint at 4467 E. Belmont Ave. that also sells Chinese food and boba. It’s got formica tables, a Pac-Man game and candy machines. Burger, fries and a drink cost $6.99. Chinese combo plates like orange chicken with chow mein run $12.99 and under.
Country Fare Cafe 
Country Fare Cafe is a Mexican food spot on Belmont between Maple and Chestnut avenues. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
At 4662 E. Belmont Ave., the plates at Country Fare Cafe come out overflowing. Teresa Valadez opened it with her husband more than 30 years ago.
Breakfast means huevos rancheros or chile verde and eggs. Try the huevos divorciados — eggs on separate sides of the plate, one in chile verde, one in chile Colorado.
“People can’t decide,” her husband told her about the dish. “Well, let’s just do one side verde and one side Colorado.”
Pork ribs in chile sauce are $14 on Mondays. The place took cash only for years but started accepting cards about two years ago.
Oaxaca Restaurant 
Oaxaca Restaurant has an outdoor garden setting on its patio and is located on Belmont Avenue just west of Chestnut Avenue. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
If you’ve never had Oaxacan food, start here. Officially named Restaurant Tipico Oaxaqueno, the 30-year-old spot at 4773 E. Belmont Ave. serves food from Oaxaca, a state in southern Mexico known for its Indigenous population.
Look under the “Oaxaquena” section of the menu for mole negro — a black mole made with Oaxacan chiles and Mexican chocolate, served over chicken or pork. The clayuda (often spelled tlayuda) is a large, thin, crispy tortilla piled with proteins and vegetables. The plant-filled patio, strung with twinkle lights, is especially nice at night.
Mark’s Kitchen 
Mark’s Kitchen is a Chinese food restaurant with hamburgers on its menu and is located on Belmont east of Chestnut. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
This one you may already know from your phone. Mark’s Kitchen, at 4828 E. Belmont Ave., went viral for Heak “Helen” Po, whose family owns the place.
She swears cheerfully, piles plates high with shrimp fried rice and records customers trying the food. She has half a million TikTok followers. The menu is mostly Chinese with some burgers. Prices run slightly higher than similar spots, and you’re paying for the experience.
Malee’s Kitchen 
Malee’s Kitchen, located on the east end of Belmont Avenue near Temperance Avenue, has a food truck patio setting in addition to its indoor seating. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Fresno has the second-largest Hmong population in the country, and Malee’s (pronounced MAH-lee’s) is one of the few places that promotes itself as serving authentic Hmong street food. It’s a food truck at a Valero gas station at 7064 E. Belmont Ave., but with indoor and outdoor seating, shade structures, misters and restrooms.
Order eggrolls, meatballs on a stick, cucumber or papaya salad. Sticky rice plates come with pork belly, Hmong sausage, fried chicken or steamed fish.
Currently closed
Two Belmont spots were originally on our list of places worth knowing, but are temporarily closed right now.
My Guy Market (504 E. Belmont Ave.) is a ghost kitchen selling New York City-style chopped cheese sandwiches from Eddie Wutangsy. Ordering happens online for pickup or DoorDash. It’s closed while the chef recovers from a health scare.
Christy’s Donuts (2505 E. Belmont Ave.) is the round building at Fresno Street — a former 1960s Mel’s Drive-In that later became a shop serving donuts, Chinese food and hamburgers. It’s closed while a power pole is replaced.
Note: This story is an AI-produced recap of an original story by a Bee reporter. It was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence based on our own originally reported, written and published content. Before publishing, journalists reviewed this content in compliance with McClatchy Media’s AI policy.
Eddie Wutangsy runs the My Guy Market sandwich shop on the west end of Belmont near Palm Avenue. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com 
Christy’s Donuts is located in a round-shaped building on Belmont at Fresno Street. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Related Stories from Fresno Bee