Our Story
Built on Family, Fire, and a Love of Good Food
Norco Country Grill and Market didn't start as a business plan. It started as a backyard, a smoker, and a family that couldn't stop feeding people.
20+
Years in Norco
How It Started
From the Backyard to Norco's Table
We've been cooking in Norco for over two decades. What started as weekend cookouts for family and neighbors turned into something we couldn't ignore — people kept showing up, and we kept cooking. Eventually, the question wasn't whether to open a restaurant. It was how soon.
When we opened Norco Country Grill and Market, we made one promise to ourselves: never cut corners. Every burger is hand-formed. Every brisket is smoked low and slow over oak. Every sauce on the shelf is made in our kitchen from the same recipes we've been refining for years.
The market came naturally. We were already sourcing the best cuts, the finest cheeses, and the most honest pantry staples we could find — so we opened the shelves to our neighbors. If it's good enough for our kitchen, it's good enough for yours.
What We Stand For
The Way We Do Things
No Shortcuts
We smoke our meats for 12 hours because that's how long it takes. We hand-form every patty because a machine can't do it right. That's just how we cook.
Family First
This is a family business in every sense. The recipes are ours, the staff are like family, and the people who walk through our door are treated like guests in our home.
Award-Winning Quality
We've been recognized for our burgers and BBQ by local and regional food competitions. We're proud of the awards, but we're prouder of the regulars who come back every week.
Rooted in Norco
Norco is horse country. It's a community that values hard work, authenticity, and showing up. We try to embody all of that in everything we serve.
Recognition
The Awards Mean Something Because the Food Does
Best Burger — Inland Empire Food Awards
The Ranch Burger took top honors in the Inland Empire's annual food competition.
Best BBQ — Riverside County Fair
Our smoked brisket was named best BBQ at the Riverside County Fair.
People's Choice — Norco Western Days
Voted People's Choice at Norco's annual Western Days festival.
Best New Restaurant — Norco Chamber of Commerce
Recognized by the Norco Chamber of Commerce in our first full year of operation.
The People Behind the Food
Meet the Family
Ray & Linda Castillo
Founders & Owners
Ray grew up cooking with his father on a ranch outside Norco. Linda brought the market vision — she's the one who insisted on stocking only what she'd actually use at home. Together, they built everything you see here.
Marco Castillo
Head Pitmaster
Ray's son. He's been tending the smoker since he was tall enough to reach the grates. Marco oversees every brisket, every rack of ribs, and every pulled pork shoulder that comes out of our kitchen.
Sofia Reyes
Market Buyer & Chef
Sofia sources everything in the market and develops our house sauces, rubs, and marinades. She trained in culinary school in Los Angeles and came home to Norco to do something real.
Come See What We're About
The best way to understand us is to sit down, order a burger, and let the food speak for itself.