Concrete Cups and Burgers: A Riverside Experience

I kick the back of my dad’s passenger seat as he drives us to Zorbas, our favorite burger restaurant, in his Chevy suburban and I shout at him, “Daddy! The cup! We’re gonna pass it!” He patiently laughs and then our heads abruptly turn right to stare at the large, infamous concrete paper cup that’s planted firmly in the middle of a gated warehouse’s lawn. Despite being 30, I still shout at my friends to look at the cup as we drive down Citrus Street, headed to order pastrami burgers at Zorbas. This cup is just one example of what makes Riverside unique, and these two spots are worth listing in your itinerary. For those planning a trip over to Riverside, California, not only should you visit this 68-foot-tall paper cup but you should also stop by Zorbas Restaurant if you want to feel like a ‘real’ local. 

Lily Tulip constructed a warehouse in Riverside on Citrus Street in 1958 and their cup was originally white with two stripes, one red and the other blue, painted across it horizontally. The warehouse manufactured paper cups and plates for distribution and was recently purchased in 2004 by Solo Cup Company who changed its design by painting the cup all white. This cup has won the World’s Largest Paper Cup award and is a random fact I love repeating to anyone who will listen. The cup is surrounded by a black iron fence; however, you can park near the warehouse and walk across the brown lawn to strike a pose. Our city’s local donkeys might be grazing on the vegetation in this area, but they will add charm to your pictures that your friends will be envious of! They roam throughout our town so you may not see them, but if you do, be mindful of how you interact with them because they can bite. Unfortunately, I learned this at the age of six. After your photo op, I recommend driving down to Zorba’s Restaurant on Iowa avenue to receive the full experience. 

After my friends and I shout, “THE CUP” our next stop on our journey is Zorba’s. Zorba’s is a tan and beige stucco building adorned with red tiling at the top of its pillars, and it has luscious green awnings over its windows that serve to protect its customers from the bright California sunshine. I push the front doors open, and the walls are painted in a harsh grey that are lined with movie and old car posters. The leather booths stick to my skin and are ruby red and storm grey; the row of booths in the middle have a street sign that reads “ZORBA’S BURGERS AVE 450,” and a stained-glass picture. The picture has an older car, a Ford Woodie Sedan, driving down a road as the sun sets on the beach. I order the pastrami burger with fries and melt into the leather of my seat as I bite into my burger; the mustard moisturizing my pastrami drips down to the charbroiled patty and I bite into their perfectly golden fries. 

I’ve grown up in Riverside all of my life and just like I do, my city continuously changes over time, but these two landmarks remind me of the charm that my city possesses. There is plenty to do in Riverside, however, I hope you make time to experience these locations that remind me of the memories I’ve made amongst my family and friends.