Roberta's has the most amazing nacho fries. And on the other end of the valley, Farwood is worth a detour for a truly decent burger in this part of California.
I'm talking the guy outside the grocery store on the east side of 99, and the guy just across the street from him, also outside (though last time I stopped there, he had a building where you could go in an pay).
If you haven't already done so, be sure to stop by Louie Cairos for a steak and some good wine. They do both well! Or if you are prone to liking rich Italian dining, they have other stuff that doesn't work for me, but makes my mouth water nonetheless. It is real treat to find a place like that in what I call "Tumbleweed Towns". Although stay tuned for Williams and the whole I-5 corridor north of Sacramento - the subdivisions and prices are both creeping northward from Sacramento as Yuba City fills up.
BTW - have you guys stopped to eat at Casa Lupe in Gridley? I parked my trailer at the Butte County Fairgrounds for a couple of hunting seasons and developed a nice triangle from my trailer to Casa Lupes followed by a nightcap...or two at Stan's RV Park & Lounge (a penultimate dive bar behind Safeway, which scratches itches left from youth). Prior to the pandemic Casa Lupe served a decent Mexican meals at a reasonable price. Loved to wrap up a day of duck or pheasant hunting with Chile Verde or Carnitas followed by liquor in a small canning jar. Then stagger off to the trailer to sleep it off. ;)
I've eaten at Casa Lupe but never been dazzled by it - I've heard the taqueria in the adjacent store is better. Also, we're suckers for the dueling pollo asado guys in Live Oak.
LOL - on a recent 6-day road trip from San Diego to far north east Oregon (ironically on my way to deer camp) my co-driver and I chose a taco truck on the Grapevine Highway, over Subway and Jack in the Box because I do not want to eat industrialized fast food. The asada was amazing and a much better choice than the national chain eateries. We then proceeded to find either a taco truck or taqueria daily for the remainder of the trip. No regrets, only happy tummies and some fun photos.
Check out "The Foraging Angler" column in "The California Fly Fisher" Great recommendations of small local restaurants to stop at when hunting and fishing in California.
We did this on our trip in 2021 from SC to Arkansas for a snow goose trip. I declared no fast food for the whole trip and we were rewarded with delicious local meals across out route. I will admit to a single Chick Fil A stop on our final leg of the trip. After 5 days it was time to get home!
Love it! Sometimes you have to make exceptions, and I'm sure I will too. But it's really awesome when you kick a bad habit and find the alternative is a reward, not a sacrifice.
I shoot Grizzly often, and my favorite spot in Fairfield is Joe’s Buffet (closed on sundays). Meat sandos and homemade mashed potatoes so good you’ll drink the remnants of your au jus.
Babs in the Suisun Marina is also a perfect greasy spoon. My go-to is a half dozen eggs and bacon when I get home, but when I’m weak and need a hot meal with zero effort, In-N-Out Burger is my jam!
On so many of our cross-country trips the highlight was eating road food—small local places. The best apple pie I have ever had was in Buffalo Wyoming at the Main Street Diner. It looked like it was going to be too sweet, I almost didn't order it, but it was astonishing. Perfect in every way. I recall that they also served burgers from local rancher's cows, so ethical meat! We ate those too. This was more than 20 years ago, pre-internets. We took a lot of chances and were rarely disappointed.
Good food and the absence of worry every time I see a cop are two things really helping me get over my need for speed. Lawd, it was easier to quit drinking than to slow down!
I feel your guilt. We drove 14 hours with an elk and moose in an enclosed trailer. Had to rush home because it was hot weather so drove at night.(actually great grandson did the driving since we are too old for night driving)Every meal was grab and go at Canada’s infamous Tim Horton’s . Greasy, nasty but you have a drive thru and keep going.
I don't think you have anything to feel guilty about when it's the only choice you have! And frankly even if it's not the only choice you have - definitely not here to dictate other people's choices!
One limiting factor occurs to me, that’s the state of attire I’m in on the way back from a good hunt. This is usually discouraging of a situation-down meal. But back when I was hawking rabbits across the river in Port Allen, there was (is) a local brewery on the way back that became a regular pit stop. The tasting room there is open to the air and sort of industrial in style, so I didn’t feel as offensive in my wet briar pants and soaked t-shirt. Also, they have a water cooler and cups at the door, so it serves as a hydration station (prior to more substantial hydration available inside).
BK runs the gamut on burger moisture. There is the Whopper, which is arguably the messiest and wettest(?) burger I have ever had.
Then there is the bacon double cheeseburger, with no ketchup. Its meat, cheese and bread, and its the perfect blend of dry and juicy. It's almost a perfect burger
Usually hit up in n out after grizzly island but when I was there for dog training this summer I found Taqueria Durango and yeah, much better. This new Quesabirria trend isn't the worst thing...
Ha! I worked at Burger King for years as a kid, so my cravings rarely bring me there. I am jealous of the taco trucks and stands you guys have over there in California. The food truck scene here is inconsistent, overpriced, and bad for you (poutine, burgers, fried food... for only $18.99!) and there are rarely any other half decent options for a quick meal other than breakfast at a diner. The one thing I've found to work, though you generally only find them in city centres, is a shawarma. Delicious, quick, easily eaten on the go, often run by entrepreneurs, and kinda healthier than chain-based fast foods.
There aren't nearly enough Mexicans here. I really wish there were... it would make it a lot cheaper for me to eat good Mexican food than flying to Mexico, Texas, or California every time I get a hankering!
Another good choice if you're hunting the Suisun Marsh is the Filipino place tucked in behind the strip of fast food restaurants at Grizzly Island Road, though the line can be pretty long sometimes.
I am guilty of post-hunt stops at the Golden Arches, but I prefer the small town pierogi restaurants found occasionally in rural Saskatchewan. Sadly no taco trucks, but an interesting conversation on the provenance of the borsht.
California is blessed with LOTS of taco trucks, but Google reveals they can be found in the most unlikely places (though in those places, the clientele can be primarily Mexican immigrants, so they might be unnoticed by established populations there).
I could totally get into a pierogi restaurant! And borscht sounds great after a hunt long hunt in the cold.
The more often I’m fortunate to go hunting the more I have to find ways to not stray too far off my plan.
I totally didn’t see in in that photo until I read the caption.
Roberta's has the most amazing nacho fries. And on the other end of the valley, Farwood is worth a detour for a truly decent burger in this part of California.
Well, just added that to my checklist of places to check out!
So many good local choices! Just have to make the time to stop and eat.
Are we talking Betty's or Torta Azteca in Live Oak? Or both? Or neither?
Damn. Now I am hungry. Off to an early lunch it is.
I'm talking the guy outside the grocery store on the east side of 99, and the guy just across the street from him, also outside (though last time I stopped there, he had a building where you could go in an pay).
If you haven't already done so, be sure to stop by Louie Cairos for a steak and some good wine. They do both well! Or if you are prone to liking rich Italian dining, they have other stuff that doesn't work for me, but makes my mouth water nonetheless. It is real treat to find a place like that in what I call "Tumbleweed Towns". Although stay tuned for Williams and the whole I-5 corridor north of Sacramento - the subdivisions and prices are both creeping northward from Sacramento as Yuba City fills up.
BTW - have you guys stopped to eat at Casa Lupe in Gridley? I parked my trailer at the Butte County Fairgrounds for a couple of hunting seasons and developed a nice triangle from my trailer to Casa Lupes followed by a nightcap...or two at Stan's RV Park & Lounge (a penultimate dive bar behind Safeway, which scratches itches left from youth). Prior to the pandemic Casa Lupe served a decent Mexican meals at a reasonable price. Loved to wrap up a day of duck or pheasant hunting with Chile Verde or Carnitas followed by liquor in a small canning jar. Then stagger off to the trailer to sleep it off. ;)
I've eaten at Casa Lupe but never been dazzled by it - I've heard the taqueria in the adjacent store is better. Also, we're suckers for the dueling pollo asado guys in Live Oak.
LOL - on a recent 6-day road trip from San Diego to far north east Oregon (ironically on my way to deer camp) my co-driver and I chose a taco truck on the Grapevine Highway, over Subway and Jack in the Box because I do not want to eat industrialized fast food. The asada was amazing and a much better choice than the national chain eateries. We then proceeded to find either a taco truck or taqueria daily for the remainder of the trip. No regrets, only happy tummies and some fun photos.
Check out "The Foraging Angler" column in "The California Fly Fisher" Great recommendations of small local restaurants to stop at when hunting and fishing in California.
Will do, thank you!
We did this on our trip in 2021 from SC to Arkansas for a snow goose trip. I declared no fast food for the whole trip and we were rewarded with delicious local meals across out route. I will admit to a single Chick Fil A stop on our final leg of the trip. After 5 days it was time to get home!
Love it! Sometimes you have to make exceptions, and I'm sure I will too. But it's really awesome when you kick a bad habit and find the alternative is a reward, not a sacrifice.
I shoot Grizzly often, and my favorite spot in Fairfield is Joe’s Buffet (closed on sundays). Meat sandos and homemade mashed potatoes so good you’ll drink the remnants of your au jus.
That sounds so perfect after a hunt!
Babs in the Suisun Marina is also a perfect greasy spoon. My go-to is a half dozen eggs and bacon when I get home, but when I’m weak and need a hot meal with zero effort, In-N-Out Burger is my jam!
On so many of our cross-country trips the highlight was eating road food—small local places. The best apple pie I have ever had was in Buffalo Wyoming at the Main Street Diner. It looked like it was going to be too sweet, I almost didn't order it, but it was astonishing. Perfect in every way. I recall that they also served burgers from local rancher's cows, so ethical meat! We ate those too. This was more than 20 years ago, pre-internets. We took a lot of chances and were rarely disappointed.
Good food and the absence of worry every time I see a cop are two things really helping me get over my need for speed. Lawd, it was easier to quit drinking than to slow down!
I feel your guilt. We drove 14 hours with an elk and moose in an enclosed trailer. Had to rush home because it was hot weather so drove at night.(actually great grandson did the driving since we are too old for night driving)Every meal was grab and go at Canada’s infamous Tim Horton’s . Greasy, nasty but you have a drive thru and keep going.
I don't think you have anything to feel guilty about when it's the only choice you have! And frankly even if it's not the only choice you have - definitely not here to dictate other people's choices!
One limiting factor occurs to me, that’s the state of attire I’m in on the way back from a good hunt. This is usually discouraging of a situation-down meal. But back when I was hawking rabbits across the river in Port Allen, there was (is) a local brewery on the way back that became a regular pit stop. The tasting room there is open to the air and sort of industrial in style, so I didn’t feel as offensive in my wet briar pants and soaked t-shirt. Also, they have a water cooler and cups at the door, so it serves as a hydration station (prior to more substantial hydration available inside).
I once went into BK forgetting I still had camo paint on my face. No one batted an eyelash.
Would be the same anywhere in Louisiana I’ll bet
BK runs the gamut on burger moisture. There is the Whopper, which is arguably the messiest and wettest(?) burger I have ever had.
Then there is the bacon double cheeseburger, with no ketchup. Its meat, cheese and bread, and its the perfect blend of dry and juicy. It's almost a perfect burger
But their fries are terrible and inconsistent
Truth!
Usually hit up in n out after grizzly island but when I was there for dog training this summer I found Taqueria Durango and yeah, much better. This new Quesabirria trend isn't the worst thing...
Good quesabirria is amazing, but not yet ubiquitous. Like carnitas tacos - divine ar some trucks, an embarrassment at others.
luckily haven't had any bad ones yet but I'll keep trying!
Ha! I worked at Burger King for years as a kid, so my cravings rarely bring me there. I am jealous of the taco trucks and stands you guys have over there in California. The food truck scene here is inconsistent, overpriced, and bad for you (poutine, burgers, fried food... for only $18.99!) and there are rarely any other half decent options for a quick meal other than breakfast at a diner. The one thing I've found to work, though you generally only find them in city centres, is a shawarma. Delicious, quick, easily eaten on the go, often run by entrepreneurs, and kinda healthier than chain-based fast foods.
That said, if there are Mexicans in any numbers where you live, there will be some form of Mexican restaurant.
There aren't nearly enough Mexicans here. I really wish there were... it would make it a lot cheaper for me to eat good Mexican food than flying to Mexico, Texas, or California every time I get a hankering!
Another great option! I think my goal isn't ultral-healthy; it's avoiding ultra-processed. That's good enough for me!
Another good choice if you're hunting the Suisun Marsh is the Filipino place tucked in behind the strip of fast food restaurants at Grizzly Island Road, though the line can be pretty long sometimes.
Good to know! I almost always stop in there for gas or ice anyway.
I am guilty of post-hunt stops at the Golden Arches, but I prefer the small town pierogi restaurants found occasionally in rural Saskatchewan. Sadly no taco trucks, but an interesting conversation on the provenance of the borsht.
California is blessed with LOTS of taco trucks, but Google reveals they can be found in the most unlikely places (though in those places, the clientele can be primarily Mexican immigrants, so they might be unnoticed by established populations there).
I could totally get into a pierogi restaurant! And borscht sounds great after a hunt long hunt in the cold.