The spot for breakfast and lunch in Truckee, Squeeze In is renowned for its huge omelets � all 62 varieties. Featuring almost every ingredient conceivable (including shrimp, avocado, and pesto), as well as standbys like bacon, onions, and cheese, many of the omelets are named after local regulars who invented them. Toast and potatoes are served with each eggy behemoth as well as the restaurants homemade salsa and sauces. Lunchtime sees soups, salads, and sandwiches, and dinner is available too, but folks agree that morning is the time to go. This restaurant has also been featured on the Food Network's show, "Throwdown with Bobby Flay."
Recommended for Lunch because: Squeeze In was featured on the Food Network's show, "Throwdown with Bobby Flay"
Christina's expert tip: Get to the Squeeze In early on the weekends, there is usually a line out the door.
The Driftwood Cafe near the Heavenly ski area has a huge menu full of breakfast and lunch items. This cute little diner serves items such as Huevos Rancheros, Eggs Benedict, Breakfast Burritos and Sandwiches and their Outrageous Omeletts with three eggs. The Herb Cheese Omelette has zucchini and green onions topped with herb cheese sauce and the Black Bean Chicken Chili Omelette has cheddar cheese, green onions and sour cream. The Driftwood also serves buttermilk pancakes, French Toast and an assortment of waffles. For lunch the Driftwood serves various sandwiches, salads, soup, chili and specialties such as Fish Tacos, Escargot and Grilled Bass. Their burgers, like The Gobbler, are served with organic meats.
Recommended for Lunch because: Driftwood's lunch menu has a ton of sandwiches and burgers to choose from.
Christina's expert tip: The Driftwood serves locally roasted coffee.
Part of charming Sunnyside Lodge, this lakeside restaurant delivers wonderful views and straightforward, filling lunchtime eats. You'll find burgers, fish, and chicken sandwiches, as well as pasta dishes, salads, and soups. The lodge's dock staff can assist you if you arrive by water, but show up on the early side if you want to secure a seat on the deck. The wood-paneled, rustic dining room provides atmosphere to spare if it's chilly outside. Dinner sees an emphasis on well-prepared American favorites, including seafood and steaks. Sunnyside also offers Lakeside Libations like specialty cocktails, local and draft beers and a large wine selection.
Recommended for Lunch because: Try the fish tacos at Sunnyside for both lunch and Happy Hour.
Christina's expert tip: The view from the deck is awesome!
Jake's On The Lake is a mainstay on the West Shore. Serving both locals and visitors since 1978, Jake's features a casual yet delicious menu that reflects its waterfront atmosphere. The menu features seafood appetizers such as Dungeness Crab Cakes ($18) and entrees such as Seared Diver Scallops ($32). Turf-inspired dishes are also available such as short ribs and filet mignon tacos. Salads, soups (such as their decadent clam chowder), and several desserts are on hand to round out your meal. A kids' menu ensures that families leave happy. If you're making an afternoon of it, the full bar has its own menu, along with specialty cocktails, wines, and draft and bottled beers.
Recommended for Lunch because: Jake's seafood is some of the best in the Lake Tahoe area.
Christina's expert tip: Jake's has one of the best views on the lake.
Run by a couple from New Jersey, this small place next to the river serves 100 percent natural, hand-tossed New York style thin crust pizza as take-n'-bake, by the slice or by the pie. The Californian with artichokes and garlic and the Carnivore with a load of pepperoni, sausage, Canadian bacon and salami are some local favorites. The sauce is nice and spicy and everything can be washed down with a draft beer or soda. Front Street is located close to the Truckee River and you can eat your pie overlooking the river or walk it down to Commons Beach and eat overlooking the lake.
Recommended for Lunch because: Front Street also serves burritos and tacos with slow roasted pork in pineapple juices.
Christina's expert tip: Sit on the porch with your pizza and enjoy the Truckee River.
This simple, family-run restaurant has been in the area for over 20 years and is the go-to place for quick, but healthy and tasty rotisserie meats with a Latin flair. T's serves chicken, pork and beef tri-tip rotisserie plates served with various salsas, sauces and tortillas. They also have the classic tacos and burritos as well as pulled pork with a mess of sauces to add to your sandwich. To wash it all down, the ice tea and lemonade is perfect. Be prepared to stand in line to order and eat either in the basic seating area or take your food outside or even on the road.
Recommended for Lunch because: T's is a great place to stop if you are heading back up to the slopes for the afternoon.
Christina's expert tip: T's Mesquite is a cash-only establishment.
Rated one of the best burger places in Lake Tahoe Area and featured on the Food Networks "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives", Burger Me is located in the old town section of Truckee. Their burgers are made with all natural ingredients. No growth hormones or chemicals in these beauties! The burgers and drinks are served in corn-based packaging and everything is recyclable. The refurbished building with retro styling is great to hang out in, but you can also get your burger to go and eat outside in the fresh mountain air. Burger Me offers natural burgers like lamb, bison, bacon and grass fed beef.
Recommended for Lunch because: While waiting for your burger, pour yourself a large glass of their homemade lemonade.
Christina's expert tip: The best sweet potato fries in the area.
The Blue Angel Caf� in South Lake Tahoe offers unique and interesting meat and vegetarian dishes as well as desserts, wine beer and a generous happy hour. This cozy, little restaurant has a view of the lake, a place for eating outside, a nice garden and access to all the South Lake Tahoe fun. Their food includes items like Clam Chowder, Chili Dusted Sweet Potato Fries, Pulled Pork, burgers and vegetarian dishes like the Napolean with eggplant, zucchini, tomato sauce, pesto and polenta. They have a daily happy hour with menu items and drinks for $3 and a nice couch in front of the fireplace to sit and chat with locals and other Tahoe visitors. The Blue Angel also offers catering and special wedding menus.
Recommended for Lunch because: The Blue Angel also has a bring your own fresh caught fish menu for that Truckee River trout.
Christina's expert tip: The happy hour is from 4-6 p.m. every day.
The Keys Cafe is located on the South Shore, just off the main road. This small, yellow house serves up breakfast, lunch, beer wine and their famous smoothies. The atmosphere is fun and funky with local art on the walls and fresh, local eggs served in their omlettes, breakfast sandwiches and breakfast burritos. Their smoothies include the typical fruit smoothies like the Go Mango with mango, raspberry, banana and orange juice and the Castaway with Coconut, mango and pineapple juice as well as granola smoothies that are great for breakfast. The Keys Cafe also has Chai Tea smoothes, Espresso smoothies and Super Smoothies like the 911 with Emergen-C, banana, mango and orange juice. Their lunches consist of turkey, ham and swiss, roast beef, Reuben and cheese sandwiches. They also serve a sweet potato sandwich with baked sweet potato, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, marinated onions, organic mixed greens, balsamic vinaigrette dressing, on a ciabatta roll.
Recommended for Lunch because: Try the Sweet Potato lunch sandwich with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, marinated onions and organic mixed greens.
Christina's expert tip: Try their Acai Bowl (served all day) with Acai berries, blueberries, banana, strawberry, and soy milk blended into a yummy frozen delight, topped with granola and bananas.
Morgan's Lobster Shack in Truckee, California serves fresh seafood and fish (including some very large lobsters) for both lunch and dinner. The small cafe only fits about 15 people, but there is a deck out back for summer dining. Menu items include Steamed Lobster from Maine with fries, coleslaw and drawn butter, a Lobster Grilled Cheese sandwich ($12) made with local Truckee Sourdough bread and the Classic Lobster Roll ($18) with chunks of lobster and mayo which can also be served "California style" with sriracha and avocado, the Oyster Po Boy ($14) with lightly spiced herb aioli, the Fried Ipswich Roll ($17), a Salmon Club ($15) and the Mt. Whitney Plate (named after the tallest mountain in the Lower 48) which includes battered and fried fish, scallops, shrimp, french fries, and coleslaw. Side dishes include a Lobster Stew and a New England Clam "Chowda" for $6, the Spinach & Kale salad with lemon-garlic dressing for $8, Beer-Battered Onion Rings for $6, Smoked Shrimp for $9 and Fresh Seafood Cakes made from the market fresh fish. Desserts like a Chocolate Lava Cake and the Whoopie Pie in assorted flavors are also available.
Recommended for Lunch because: The lunch specials at Morgan's feature fresh caught fish and shellfish.
Christina's expert tip: Customers can pick their own fresh fish or shellfish and have it made to their specifications with seasonings like Asian, Chili-Lime, Blackened and Greek.