01
Best roadside breakfast
Restaurant 36
Hydesville – Highway 36 • Laid-Back Country Diner • Best Hearty Breakfast Stop
A classic highway diner where generous breakfasts and friendly service fuel early-morning starts.
Just east of Hydesville on Highway 36, Restaurant 36 is the kind of place loggers, commuters, and families all share a booth. Expect strong coffee, big portions of eggs, biscuits and gravy, and daily specials that feel straight from a farmhouse kitchen. It is an easy go-to when you want something unfussy and filling before a day of driving or working.
02
Best casual hangout
Tornado Dave's Bar & Grill
Near Hydesville – Highway 36 Toward Fortuna • Lively Small-Town Bar And Grill • Go-To Spot For Burgers And Beers
A relaxed bar and grill with hefty burgers, cold pints, and a locals-first vibe.
Tornado Dave's feels like the community's living room, with regulars at the bar and families grabbing a relaxed dinner in the dining area. The menu leans into burgers, sandwiches, wings, and other pub comfort food, with portions that match the logging-truck appetite of the area. It is especially good later in the day when you want to unwind without driving all the way to Eureka.
03
Best craft beer stop
Eel River Brewing Company
Fortuna – South Fortuna Boulevard • Craft Brewery And American Pub • Top Destination For Local Beer And Pub Fare
A bustling brewery restaurant pouring organic Humboldt-made beers alongside classic pub plates.
Down the hill in Fortuna, Eel River Brewing is where many Hydesville locals take visiting friends. There is usually a lineup of house-made ales and lagers, plus burgers, fish and chips, and salads that go beyond basic bar food. The big patio and easy freeway access make it an ideal meet-up spot when people are coming from different corners of the county.
04
Best for Mexican comfort food
El Paisano Mexican Taqueria
Fortuna – Main Street Corridor • Casual Mexican Taqueria • Favorite Spot For Tacos And Combo Plates
A no-frills taqueria known for flavorful plates, generous portions, and quick service.
El Paisano is the kind of place where you order at the counter, grab a booth, and soon find a plate piled high with rice, beans, and whatever style of taco or burrito you were craving. The salsas have real kick, and the menu works just as well for a fast lunch as it does for an easy family dinner. It is close enough to Hydesville that picking up a big to-go order for a crew at home is simple.
05
Best burger on the go
Smokin' Barrels Burgers
Fortuna – Rotating Food Truck Spots • Gourmet Burger Food Truck • Top Choice For A Quick, Indulgent Bite
A popular burger truck turning out smoky, stacked burgers with creative toppings.
Smokin' Barrels is a local favorite when you want something satisfying without a sit-down meal. The menu usually features a handful of specialty burgers, plus crisp fries and sometimes a rotating special, making it easy to find something new alongside your standby order. Check where the truck is parked in Fortuna that day, grab your food, and you can be back in Hydesville before it cools off.