Archive for the ‘Local Businesses’ Category
By Tim Hauserman
Amtrak’s California Zephyr train on its way to Reno from the Truckee train station
For many of us, Truckee’s trains are the frequent background sounds of life in town. They are a chance to simplify our lives as we watch the cars rhythmically clatter down the tracks. Or they are the thrill of the roaring locomotive drowning out the raucous sounds of Truckee Thursday. But Truckee’s rail line is more then just a blast from the past, or a brief interlude in our day, it is one of the things that makes Truckee the place that it is. Truckee is a railroad town, with well over a dozen trains a day rolling through. And trains are also an important part of how Truckee became more then just a blip on the radar.
Truckee Railroad Museum in a vintage train car at the Truckee Train Station
The Transcontinental Railroad made its way through Truckee in 1867 on it’s way to its’ eventual completion in Utah in 1869. Building the first railroad all the way across the country was an impressive feat at the time, especially the section just to the west of Truckee over Donner Summit. There Chinese laborers took two years to build the routes longest tunnel through solid granite.
Vintage safe inside the Truckee Train Station
Truckee’s position as the last stop before the climb over the Sierra crest was key to it’s development as a town. Once the line was complete, the railroads quickly went to work transporting logs to feed the immense silver mines of Virginia City. By 1900, the railroad dipped its toes into tourism, with a new railroad station that is still standing, and a narrow gauge railroad to Tahoe City. Visitors would transfer to the Lake Tahoe Railroad in Truckee, and take the 13 mile line to the shores of Lake Tahoe and the swank Tahoe Tavern. Both the railroad to Tahoe City and the hotel are gone, but for awhile, tourists prime mode of transit to Tahoe was via train. Now, there are just two Amtrak trains a day through Truckee, the rest are freight trains providing the materials needed to keep America moving.
The Truckee Train Station also is home to the Truckee Visitors Center, Chamber of Commerce and a variety of local craftsmen
For more information on the impact of trains on Truckee and the development of the Sierra, visit the Truckee Railroad Museum in the caboose next to the Amtrak Station in downtown Truckee. The newly opened Donner Memorial Visitor Center also has an exhibit on the Chinese workers who built the railroad.
Train tracks in downtown Truckee going west
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
http://www.lynnrichardson.net
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By Michelle Portesi
Donner Lake Kitchen
Whether I’ve lived in a small town or a large city, I’ve always been enamored of the idea of just being able to walk someplace for breakfast. Fortunately for me, that desire is fulfilled, as a block down the street is the re-established Donner Lake Kitchen.
I’ve eaten at the original version of the restaurant, continued to dine at the new reincarnation when it became the Old Hwy 40 Kitchen and Grill, and back again to the Original Donner Lake Kitchen owned by Kelley and Bill Money. I won’t re-create the wheel here by writing about how all of this came about, as The Sierra Sun has already published an excellent article on the whole journey. To read more about it, go here:
http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/13650422-113/kitchen-donner-lake-kelley
Grab a seat by a sunny window
What I will say, is that the food has always been excellent, the portions HUGE, and the prices reasonable…for a resort town anyway. While the fare at The Old Hwy. 40 version was tasty, their menu was fairly limited. I suspect as a result, the restaurant suffered from not being able to attract that much needed local population when the tourists had all gone home.
That’s not the case with the Donner Lake Kitchen. The menu is expansive, they serve breakfast all day, and as far as owner Kelley is concerned, should you want something special that isn’t on the menu, if they have the items on hand to make it – within reason, a little deviation from the norm is just fine by her. From what I’ve seen, the locals have welcomed them back with open arms, and they seem to attract a fairly steady stream of patrons.
Cinnamon Rolls! Ooey, Gooey, Chewy Goodness!
I’ve had both breakfast and lunch here, met with friends for a lively meal, or just relished a quiet breakfast alone at the counter, newspaper or magazine in one hand, coffee in the other. The atmosphere is Funky Tahoe Casual, the service friendly and the food, always fresh and good.
The Donner Lake Kitchen is located at 13710 Donner Pass Road – behind Sticks Market.
Hours: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
530-587-3119
Follow them on Facebook: Donner-Lake-Kitchen
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
www.lynnrichardson.net
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By Michelle Portesi
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You know how it goes when you live here. You work your tail off in the high seasons so you can get through the slow ones. During the seasonal crazy that is Summer and Winter, some days all you can do is crawl wearily home and collapse.
Now that it’s spring, we can slow down a bit, catch our breath and venture out to take advantage of the local dining discounts that abound this time of year. And if there is anything this area excels in, it’s a wealth of great places to eat!
During the spring, local restaurants offer coupons, two for ones and deep discounts to try and entice both the locals and off season visitors alike to favor their establishments while they wait for the next round of seasonal crowds. It’s a given that most specials will end Memorial Day Weekend, while some will continue on for a few weeks after the holiday before the summer crowds descend. Be sure to check who will be doing what and when. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
Jason’s Beachside Grille. Photo from their website.
Step 1: Pick up The Tahoe Weekly or the local papers and clip their coupons. Here are just a few of the specials I noticed:
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Jason’s Beachside Grille, Kings Beach. 20% off entire food bill, Sunday through Thursday until May 21.
West Shore Cafe, Homewood – 1/2 price dinner entrees Monday through Thursday – May 11- June 11. Go to WestShoreCafe.com for details.
Pianeta, Truckee – Featuring a ‘Paesano Speciale’ $25, which includes a glass of wine, soup or salad and choice of fresh pasta dishes – Sunday through Thursday. Inquire with your server. (Michelle’s Note: Do this one! They hardly EVER run off season specials and the food is great! …and this coming from an Italian!)
Christy Hill, Tahoe City – Local’s Lakefront Menu – 3 course meal, $24, Sunday through Thursday (excludes holiday periods)
Old Range Steakhouse, Tahoe Vista- 3 course dinner, $29 for most selections: shrimp cocktail, salad, entree
The Soule Domain, Crystal Bay – 2 for 1 entrees, excludes Saturday’s and has a 2 course minimum. Make Reservations and bring coupon.
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In addition, there are many places that offer Happy Hour specials such as Hacienda Del Lago in Tahoe City and Las Panchitas in Kings Beach.
Step 2: Don’t see your favorite place on the list? Go to their website or give them a call. There are just too many restaurants to list all the possibilities!
A quick perusal of a couple of my favorite haunts websites like Sunnyside Resort and The River Ranch revealed specials there as well, so let your cell phone do the calling to ask about their seasonal offerings and events.
The River Ranch. Photo from their website
River Ranch, Tahoe City (Hwy 89 and Alpine Meadows Rd). – 1/2 price specials on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Friday Night Prime Rib through June 11th and Thursday 1/2 price wine list night. Wednesday features an all night happy hour. www.riverranchlodge.com/dining
Sunnyside Resort, Tahoe City (The west shore) – Burger and a beer, $10 every Tuesday night. The big bang for the off-season buck at Sunnyside are specials on room and dinner packages. If you’ve never visited our fair corner of the world, this is a great place to hang your hat while you check out the area. http://www.sunnysidetahoe.com/lodge-packages
Summer at Sunnyside Deck Opening
Once you’ve fallen in love with the Sierra’s, call Lynn Richardson to find you the perfect Lake Tahoe or Truckee home – Where you’ll always have plenty of dining establishments to choose from!
Let’s Eat! 
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
www.lynnrichardson.net
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
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