Sometimes it’s a dining experience.

Jason’s Deli is a Texas-centric chain with locations in 23 other states, including California.

Lucky for us, Jason’s sole California restaurant is in the Inland Empire, at 2555 Canyon Springs Parkway, in Riverside.

Jason’s Deli makes really flavorful and fresh sandwiches. They
also have some pretty tantalizing soups. They also serve pasta and sell
potatoes the size of a slipper.

I’m not sure
about other Jason’s locations, but this one has a pretty decent salad
bar that includes free mini muffins for all diners. Really, where else can you get red pepper hummus to go along with
your salad?

We’ve been to Jason’s probably
half a dozen times, and each time has been a pleasant experience. The
staff is very friendly and helpful and the food has, with few
exceptions, has been wonderful.

If you’re
craving a sandwich, you can order off the menu or you can pick your own
ingredients and have them make your own signature creation. They also
have a unique “MySandwich” contest among the chain’s employees.

Every quarter they feature a sandwich designed by a crew member.

I’ve
had two of the MySandwich selections and each was delicious. A while
back, I had a “Marlo’s Big Cheesy,” which consisted of Swiss cheese,
Cheddar cheese, jalapeno cheese, wilted organic spinach, roma tomatoes
and pesto on organic wheat ciabatta bread — basically a souped-up
grilled cheese and veggie sandwich. Yes, it was as good as it sounds.

More
recently, I tried the JB’s Best Bagelini, which is a panini-pressed
bagel loaded with smoked turkey, pico de gallo, guacamole, red
pepper-cilantro aioli and provolone cheese, This one was even better
than it sounds.

They also have a standard set of soups and more flavors that rotate in and out. One of the rotating soups (although they seem to always have it when I go) is the Fire Roasted Tortilla soup, and it is superb!

I’ve also had good pastas (Chicken Alfredo penne), too, but I have had at least one less-than-stellar meal. I think it’ll be a while before I’d order any of the wraps again. One time I had a Ranchero Wrap (chicken breast, pico de gallo and ranch dressing, jalapeos, cheddar cheese and “southwest spices,” whatever those are). While it tasted good, the tortilla was way too dry. A crackly tortilla does not a pleasant wrap make.

And oh, I haven’t even gotten to the best part: Free ice cream for dessert. Wait, let me repeat that…

Yes, free soft serve ice cream, in a cone or a cup, for all Jason’s patrons.

All their food is free of trans-fats and MSG, but not everything is low-calorie. You’d be shocked at how many of those pesky calories are in one of those gargantuan potatoes. One of ’em would feed the Olsen twins for a week!

The prices are reasonable. For instance, the MySandwich selection is $5 for a whole sandwich. You can add the salad bar for another $4-something. What I usually get is the manager’s special, which is half of any sandwich and the salad bar for $8.29. You can opt for a cup of soup or fresh fruit for a dollar less. It’s a good way to try one of their delicious sandwiches and still get to have whatever you want from the salad bar.

Jason’s Deli is one of those places where you instantly feel like a regular, even if it’s your first time there. They have great service, delicious food and, oh yeah, that free ice cream thing. The next time you’re in the Moreno Valley/Riverside area, stop in at Jason’s Deli — it’s definitely a Dine 909 favorite!