One of the things I look forward to the most when on the road is the opportunity for culinary adventures along the way. Our last trip out west was no exception, and we enjoyed revisiting some old favorite haunts, as well as discovering a bunch of new favorites we came upon by recommendation and/or accident, and can't wait to go back to.
*(Coffee also plays a major role in tour life, but the coffee shop list deserves a more extensive post of its own, so this entry will remain focused on restaurants, and more specifically, the ones we loved on our most recent tour.)*
Here's a list of a half dozen of my personal culinary highlights in UT, NV, and southern CA (roughly in the chronological order we ate at them, based on our tour routing):
THE RED IGUANA, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
If a touring musician tells you to eat at a certain place when you're in that city, do it. If more than one touring musician tells you that, DEFINITELY do it. This place was so awesome we ate there twice: once when we arrived, and the evening before we flew home. They are famous for their molé - there were more than 10 available on the menu, plus a whole slew of other amazing Mexican dishes. I had both the green molé (using zucchini and pumpkin seeds) and the more classic dark brown chocolate-based one, and hot damn, they were both mind blowing. This place is famous for a reason (and although it did end up on Guy Fieri's Diners, Dives, and Drive-Ins, the food and the vibe certainly don't seem to have suffered.) There are three locations - we ate at the original. Reservations strongly recommended.
RED DOG SALOON, PIONEERTOWN, CA
We stayed a night in Pioneertown, just outside of Joshua Tree. It being mid-week in the middle of the desert, there weren't a ton of options without going into Yucca Valley, but the Red Dog Saloon, right on the grounds of Pioneertown, proved to be a fantastic surprise. The menu is pretty much limited to tacos and other munchable fare you'd expect in a bar, but the tacos were FANTASTIC! The drinks were also great, and the vibe can't be beat. Nearby Pappy & Harriet's is the cult classic music venue also known for BBQ, but the Red Dog was our favorite Pioneertown surprise.
* While in Yucca Valley/Joshua Tree, check out the Wine and Rock Shop. It's a quirky little shop with an alien out front that sells a thoughtfully curated selection of natural wines... and rocks (crystals, pottery, candles etc.) I enjoyed the offbeat vibe and found a couple nice bottles of wine.
LILY'S, MALIBU, CA
Located in the Point Dume shopping plaza, Lily's has perhaps the best SoCal Mexican food I've ever had! Greg always gets the huevos rancheros, and I always get the fish tacos. These are my contenders for Best Fish Tacos, which in southern CA is a SERIOUS THING. The style here is very light and bright: the fish is grilled or broiled, not battered or fried, and the toppings are green, zesty and spicy. These are my favorite tacos of all time. Yes, yes they are.
MALIBU SEAFOOD, MALIBU, CA
But... if you're a fan of fish tacos that are a bit creamier, richer, with fried fish... you're gonna want to head to Malibu Seafood. Or if you're a fan of fish sandwiches, fish and chips, chowder, ... you get the idea. My Runner Up to Lily's when it comes to fish tacos, that may only be because I prefer my fish not fried and like light, bright cuisine. But these fish tacos are an amazing example of the alternative style, and the rest of the seafood on the menu is equally mind blowing. Located just across the PCH from the beach, this is an iconic roadside eatery (you can also get raw fish and prepared foods at the seafood market next door) and a must-eat when heading up US 1.
URTH CAFFE, SANTA MONICA, CA (ALSO PASADENA + OTHER LOCATIONS)
Urth Caffe is a small chain: great coffee, tea, incredible baked goods, and a great selection of salads, sandwiches, and other fare that’s one of my favorite lunch spots to hit up when in Santa Monica. We grabbed a bite at the Pasadena location on this tour, which was equally lovely.
SOUTH CREEK PIZZA, RENO, NV
Amazing, delectable, thin crust Neopolitan-style pizza in the heart of Reno. South Creek Pizza is owned by Mike and Linda Madan, wonderful musicians and friends. It's a bonus that they're such lovely people and great musicians (check out their band, Reno Swing Set!), but this pizza place stands on its own without any personal connection whatsoever. Try the Spinacci, or The Linda (a mouthwatering combination of ricotta, honey, and lemon that does that sweet/savory balance perfectly!) Don't overlook the appetizers too, and enjoy a nice selection of wine and local craft beer on tap as well.
THE STAR HOTEL, ELKO, NV
Halfway between Reno and Salt Lake City (with not a lot else in between!) lies Elko, a railroad and mining town that happens to be a mecca of... Basque food?!? In the late 1800s, Basque immigrants headed to Elko to take advantage of the gold rush, and those that didn't strike it rich stuck around to work as sheepherders. A vibrant Basque community sprang up, and places like the Star Hotel were founded to serve as boarding houses for bachelor sheepherders when they weren't tending their flocks in the mountains, as well as a community gathering place, an address for mail and parcels to be sent, and more. The Basque cuisine here is of the mountains, not ocean, and features lamb chops and loads of beef dishes, rather than seafood. I had the beef tongue sandwich (very tasty - reminded me of a sliced steak sandwich with peppers and onions.) Greg enjoyed some chorizo, which was equally good! A regional cocktail was created by this immigrant community - the Picon (pronounced "pee-cawn", like the nut) Punch. It uses Picon, a French apéritif made from dried orange peels, with other bitter herbs like gentian and cinchona. In France, Picon traditionally accompanies beer, but in American Basque areas like Elko, Bakersfield, and Boise, it is served as a cocktail with grenadine, lemon, soda water, and a float of brandy, in a custom stemmed glass. I had one while I was waiting for the food, and it was pretty tasty. If you like bitter, amaro-driven cocktails, you'll probably like this too. The bartender said the record number of Picon Punches he had seen drunk in one day was 23. That guy's wife was not amused.
So that's the brief Restaurant Roundup from our last tour! I'll try to get a coffee shop listing together soon, but feel free to let me know how you enjoyed this post (I hope you did!) and I'll collect some more culinary highlights for the future.