I hope I'm not too late in responding! I only just noticed this thread.

There are two places I can recommend off the top of my head. The Sierra Nevada Brewery is pretty cool, especially if you're into their beer. But it's a little ways removed from downtown Chico, California; you'd have to drive. I also like Tres Hombres in downtown Chico for some pretty decent Mexican.

I know that there are a couple of other decent restaurants in downtown Chico, but their names escape me at the moment.