Lake Tahoe Dining Guide

I scoured the internet and spent hours on Yelp! looking for the best places to eat during our Fall getaway to South Lake Tahoe.  We ate at a fancy restaurant perfect for a romantic date night out, a couple great breakfast spots, casual dining that was inexpensive and treats we found along the way!  Those that know me, know that most of the time I eat clean and healthy.  James…..ehhhh not so much.  So with this food post, you can see restaurants where even the pickiest (and healthiest) of eaters can eat with everyone else.

Lunch on the way up to Lake Tahoe was…..McDonald’s.  James didn’t think I would eat McDonald’s, so I proved him wrong.

I got the Grilled Artisan Chicken Sandwich, with just the plain grilled chicken breast on a dry roll.  And then I proceeded to just eat the grilled chicken breast and toss out the bread.  With a Diet Coke.  It was hot and seasoned nicely (for a fast food chicken breast).

James got the #2: two cheeseburgers, a medium fry and a Coke.  His favorite.

We straight up hit that drive thru and jumped right back on Highway 99, eating our food as James drove.  We were Tahoe bound baby!

McDonald’s, one on every corner in America.

DINNER – DAY #1

For our first night in South Lake Tahoe, we decided we wanted to have a fancy dinner.  Reviews on Yelp! highly praised Evan’s American Gourmet Cafe.  The restaurant is in a cute little cottage, off the main drag, surrounded by majestic evergreen trees.  Reservations are required, but we did not have any problem getting a reservation last minute.  The restaurant only seats a little over a dozen tables, so it makes sense why reservations are required.

To start off the meal, we were given chicken pate and bread crisps.  James, ever the brave one for trying new foods, tried the pate.  Me, knowing what it was, opted out.  James wasn’t a fan.

But the warm, fresh, soft sourdough bread they brought out next definitely had my name all over it.  I have such a weakness for warm sourdough bread.  I enjoyed a few slices of bread with the bottle of Wente Cabernet Sauvignon that James and I shared.  The prices for a bottle of wine were very reasonable.

For dinner, I chose the Venison Loin Chops with Asparagus (I had them leave off the heavy sauce, oil and mushroom risotto from my dish).  I am a huge fan of venison and these chops were lean and not gamey at all.  It just wasn’t that much meat.  The asparagus was yummy.  This girl loves her some veggies 🙂

James got the Salmon Mignon special, which was bacon wrapped, lobster stuffed salmon filet topped with crispy fried onions.  Yeah wrap your head around that.  James’ dinner also came with a side of roasted sweet potato and vegetable hash and asparagus in a beurre blanc sauce.  James liked the hash, but said the salmon was “a little fishy.”  That didn’t stop him from eating the whole thing though.

James wanted dessert, and since Creme Brûlée is his favorite dessert, he had to order the Boysenberry Chocolate Creme Brûlée.  It was the classic creme brûlée, but on a graham cracker crust that was brushed with chocolate, and had a boysenberry sauce on the side.  James liked the creme brûlée, but still prefers just the classic plain variety.

Overall…the restaurant is great for a date night, with a quiet and cozy atmosphere.  The food was okay, but I was totally not impressed with the service.  The service was EXTREMELY slow and I just expected so much more for the cost of the meal.  Our bill was $145 for two dinner entrees, one dessert and one $30 bottle of wine.

Evan’s, 536 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe, Phone: 530-542-1990.  Hours: Tuesday through Sunday at 5:30PM.  Reservations required.

Another great fine dining restaurant is the Edgewood Restaurant.  James and I ate there our last trip and it was phenomenal and the views of Lake Tahoe were amazing.

BREAKFAST – DAY #2

We had breakfast the next morning at Heidi’s Pancake House.  Amazing food and quick service.  If you get Beth as your waitress, you are lucky!  We got there right after they opened at 7AM and our breakfast came out fast and hot, and oh so yummy!  Heidi’s is like your traditional mom and pop diner and we loved it.

We started off with endless refills of black coffee.

I ordered the “Create your own Omelet” which was an egg white omelette with ham and mushrooms inside, with a side of fruit.  Prepared without butter and oil and I was impressed that they actually prepared my omelet without butter or oil.  The omelet felt light and healthy, which was definitely a good way to start off the day!

James got the French Toast Sandwich (which is not actually a sandwich).  The french toast was made out of two thick-cut slices of some type of  sourdough-Texas Toast, with one egg (your choice of preparation) and two slices of bacon served on the side. And then topped with the warm maple syrup they bring to the table.  To quote James, “It was f—ing awesome.”

And then we decided to order these huge glasses of Diet Coke.  Apparently we were both wanting a lot of caffeine that morning.

Heidi’s Pancake House, 3485 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, Phone: 530-544-8113.  Hours: 7am-2PM daily.

LUNCH – DAY #2

We were at the 23rd Annual Oktoberfest celebration at Camp Richardson during lunch time, so we decided to eat at the festival.  There were sausages and brats, stew, roasted corn, pretzels, a 2-pound turkey leg and apple strudel for dessert.  Plus TONS of beer options of course!  James had the Deschutes Hopzeit beer, which was the darkest beer they served.

James opted for the kids plate for lunch which was a hot dog, bag of chips and soda.  I was still full from breakfast, so I got two soft pretzels with salt and then made James eat one too.  Because they were so good!

Oktoberfest – Camp Richardson, 1900 Jameson Beach Road, South Lake Tahoe.  October 7th-8th, 2017.

SNACK TIME – DAY #2

SNACK TIME!!!  While we were out shopping later that afternoon, we came across the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.  How can I pass up chocolate??  We got some chocolate covered Red Vines to bring home for Ethan.

I wanted the milk chocolate covered graham cracker.  It was yummy!  For something so simple, James and I were surprised at how much we liked it.  I definitely want to re-create this when I get home!

We also got the milk chocolate, caramel covered marshmallows on a stick.  Three marshmallows coated in gooey caramel and dipped in milk chocolate.  I totally loved this!  It got me thinking of making homemade marshmallows and then dipping them in chocolate.  Another recipe to create!!

And don’t forget their crazy over-the-top candy apples!  This is definitely a must go-to stop when in Lake Tahoe!

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, 1001 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA, Phone: 530-723-9745.  Hours: vary depending on the day and the season.  Check website for more details.

DINNER – DAY #2

Dinner was at Artemis Lakefront Cafe, which was conveniently located within walking distance of our hotel.  Artemis serves Greek and Mediterranean food.  This was a great casual restaurant with reasonably priced food.  What really sold me on this place was the Spicy Vegan Lentil Soup.

The soup was green lentils, vegetables and spinach spiced with coriander, cumin and shatta.  I could have eaten two bowls of that soup, it was so good!

I got the Caesar salad as my entree, without cheese and dressing, and added tomatoes and grilled chicken.  Very good.  But if you know me, then you know my love for chicken salad hahaha.

James got the Lamb Gyro, which was a pita filled with lamb gyro meat, lettuce and house made tzaziki sauce.  James’ dinner came with a side of seasoned french fries, which James said were amazingly addictive, and Artemis sauce for dipping.

Very good food and I definitely recommend!

Artemis Lakefront Cafe, 900 Ski Run Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA, Phone: 530-542-3332.  Hours: 8AM-10PM daily.

Another great casual lunch or dinner spot is Azul Latin Kitchen.  A family friendly eatery serving California-style Mexican food. James and I ate dinner there last year and really liked it.  Plus on certain nights they have live music out on their patio and they specialize in craft cocktails and margaritas.

Azul Latin Kitchen, 1001 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA, Phone: 530-541-2985.  Hours: vary depending on the day and season.  Check website for more details.

BREAKFAST – DAY #3

Before leaving to go home Monday morning, we got breakfast at the Red Hut Cafe.  The Red Hut Cafe is one block away from the Tahoe Beach and Ski Club and opens at 6AM, which was great for us, because I was up early and ready to go!

Endless cups of black coffee, of course!

I got an egg white omelet with ham, mushrooms and jalepenos.  The omelets there come with hash browns, but I didn’t want them, so I got tomato slices instead.

And a side of pancakes!  These were super yummy, but I was trying to be good, so I ate just a few bites.  And yes….I am weird and eat my pancakes without butter or syrup.

James got two eggs (over easy), one large chicken apple sausage, hash browns and toast.

Breakfast was good, but James and I both decided we liked Heidi’s better.  Red Hut Cafe reminded us of Denny’s.

Red Hut Cafe, 2723 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA, Phone: 530-541-9024.  Hours: 6AM-2PM daily.

Whew!!  That was a lot of food!  Normally I will bring food with me to eat whenever I travel, but since we were in Lake Tahoe as guests of the Tahoe Beach and Ski Resort, I figured I should go full on food blogger and eat as much food as I could for you.  So, I am heading to the gym now, in case you need me.  But before you go, leave me a comment and tell me about your favorite meals to eat out when you are traveling!  Or do you bring your own food?  Did you like this post?

XOXO,

Kelly

Want to go to Tahoe and enjoy some great food?  Book your next stay at the Tahoe Beach and Ski Club or Red Wolf Lodge, and enter promo code MXHR3 when you book your stay by 12/31/17 to save 10%!  Special promo code just for my readers 🙂

And I have linked this recipe up at the following link parties: Pin Junkie Pin Party, Meal Plan Monday, Sugar and Spice, Pretty Pintastic Party.

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