Road Food

It's endemic to backpacking that after 2 days we all begin to long for something other than dried food and energy bars. Sure, many of us carry some "gourmet" stuff in with us, but we usually don't have fresh salad or a rack of ribs. So when we emerge, grubby and famished, we want some good food. Here's a sampling of places we've stumbled across that are worth the wait. I'll try to find the actual names and addresses of these places as soon as I can.

Anytime, anyplace, if your traveling and want some very good food stop at a Cracker Barrel Restaurant. There's one in Boise and that is as close as they've come to Portland. I understand that they've had some discrimination problems in the past. I hope that they have corrected this by now.

Wind Rivers (west side):

At the north end of Pinedale, on the east side of the main drag there's a barbeque place run by a very friendly guy from Texas. He also serves EXCELLENT barbeque.

If you're a vegetarian or don't want barbeque for whatever reason you can head out to Cora at the junction of highways 191 and 189 to the European themed restaurant at that junction. They have good standard food in a clean pleasant setting.

Sierras (east side):

In Bishop there is a barbeque place on the main drag near the south end of town on the west side of the street. It's called "Bill's". It's just Ok. Not great. Good breakfasts can be had at a place near the middle of town on the east side of the main drag. It's a nice looking, wood an glass restaurant and I think it's called Whiskey Creek. This is a very good place to eat breakfast at least. I'm not sure about other meals. Also, more in the "downtown" area is a Southwestern theme espresso shop called, I think, the Kava Cafe. It's also on the east side of the street near the outdoor shop. This is a fine place to kick back a while and sip a good espresso. The outdoor store is on the same block.

Schat's Bakery is a wonderful place. You can't miss it. Get your bread or rolls for your trip here.

The really great place to eat after a week or so on the Sierra if you are headed north is the Hilton buffet in Reno. Man, this is good. It's not just that the food is plentiful and cheap, it's excellent. The buffet doesn't start until 4:30 or 5:00pm, but it's worth the wait.

And if you're driving down from Oregon on I-5 be sure to stop at Grandma's which is the middle exit in Yreka, CA. This is a great place for any meal. It's clean, friendly and good.

Escalante:

Dan and I had a breakfast in Escalanate once that ranks as the all-time worst road food we ever had. Basically, don't eat at the bottom of the hill in Escalante. A pretty decent breakfast can be had at the Circle D at the top of the hill on the south side of the main street. But the single most AMAZING meal I've had in ages was at the Ponderosa Restaurant across from the Circle D. It's owned and run by a couple from Hungary. The food is gourmet quality, beautifully served, in good quantity, and the prices are the best! Eat dinner there. I promise that you won't believe it. No alcohol … this is Utah. (No breakfast at the Ponderosa when I was there in 3/00)

Oregon Cascades:

Since I've been all over the Cascades and eaten at many places this is a tough one. In Bend, the Pine Tavern's downstairs dining room is a good place for dinner. Don't order seafood however. In Sisters, Oregon a good breakfast can be had at The Gallery restaurant and across the street at The Depot Deli there are top notch sandwiches.

Near Mt. Hood, near Zigzag, Oregon there's a log cabin on the south side of highway 26. They have good breakfasts. Another good breakfast spot is in Sandy near the west end of town called the Tollgate. BIG omlettes here.

Since we normally would just drive back to Portland or to home for dinner we can't really advise you too much in the regard. Portland has dozens of great places to eat at good (or outrageous) prices. Write to me if you want advice.

North Cascades:

Strange but true: We've never found a place we'd recommend up there. They must exist however.