01
Best overall pick
Lena's Cantina
Along Highway 70 Near Beckwourth • Casual Mexican-American Roadhouse • Hearty Comfort-Food Destination
A roadside cantina known for generous plates, cold beer, and a friendly local crowd.
Lena's Cantina is where many locals point you first when you ask for a solid meal near Beckwourth. Expect big combination plates, plenty of chips and salsa, and a laid-back bar where ranch hands, road-trippers, and regulars all mix. It is an easygoing choice when you want something filling without driving too far from town.
02
Top pizza-night pick
Pizza Factory
Downtown Portola • Family-Friendly Pizza And Pasta Spot • Best For Casual Groups And Kids
Lively small-town pizzeria turning out thick-crust pies, wings, and sandwiches after a day outdoors.
In nearby Portola, the local Pizza Factory is a dependable stop for hot pies and easygoing service. The menu covers all the basics—pepperoni-heavy pizzas, baked pastas, and subs—so it works well for mixed groups and families. Arcade games and TVs give it a classic small-town pizza-parlor feel that hits the spot after time on the trails or river.
03
Coziest sit-down meal
Blackbird Inn and Ricochet Cafe
Clio, Near Graeagle • Country Inn Café With Seasonal Fare • Relaxed Date-Night Choice
A charming inn café serving thoughtfully prepared dishes in a tucked-away mountain setting.
Set among the trees in Clio, the Blackbird Inn and Ricochet Cafe feels a world away from the highway. The dining room leans cozy and intimate, with plates that go beyond standard diner fare—think fresh salads, well-cooked mains, and a better-than-expected wine or beer selection. It is a good pick when you want to slow down and make an evening of it.
04
Classic roadside stop
Chilcoot Frosty
Chilcoot On Highway 70 • Old-School Burger And Ice Cream Stand • Best For Quick Bites On The Road
A no-frills walk-up stand for burgers, fries, and soft-serve between Beckwourth and Reno.
Chilcoot Frosty is the kind of place where you order at the window, grab a picnic table, and watch the traffic roll by. The menu sticks to drive-in staples—burgers, fries, shakes, and soft-serve cones that hit the nostalgia button. It is ideal for a fast, satisfying bite during a Sierra Valley cruise or before heading over the state line.
05
Best hangout with food trucks
The Brewing Lair
Forest Hillside Above Blairsden-Graeagle • Outdoor Craft Brewery With Rotating Food Options • Laid-Back Social Spot
A forested brewery hangout where you sip local beer, grab bites from visiting food vendors, and linger by the pines.
Perched in the woods above Blairsden-Graeagle, The Brewing Lair is more of a destination than a quick stop. People come for small-batch beers, disc golf, lawn games, and a mellow outdoor scene, and on many days a food truck or pop-up handles the tacos, snacks, or barbecue. It is a great choice when you want to combine a relaxed meal with a very local Sierra vibe.