Priest Station Cafe & Store: Stop by on the way to Yosemite

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Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Topic Author's Original Post - Sep 16, 2009 - 02:36pm PT
The Priest Station Cafe & Store is now open!


Priest Station was established by the descendants of the current owners, the Anker Family, in 1853 (The owners are the sister and brother of Conrad Anker).

It is open 11am-8pm and has a grill menu featuring lunch, dinner and homemade desserts. They also have some snacks and drinks if you just want to make a quick stop.

The location is on the top of the hill where Highway 120 meets the Priest Grade. This is about 5 minutes west of Groveland and a little over an hour to El Cap Meadow in Yosemite.

Address
16756 Old Priest Grade
Big Oak Flat, CA, 95305
209-962-1888

You can become a Facebook fan here: http://tinyurl.com/r2mzaw

The Menu

Here are some old photos of this historic property and a menu.



Mungeclimber

Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
Sep 16, 2009 - 02:46pm PT
kewl, i thought that place was getting busy with something with the full patio.

good to know
Jerry Dodrill

climber
Sebastopol, CA
Sep 16, 2009 - 02:46pm PT
Awesome! I'll check it out.

Will Father Conrad be there to bless our trips to Yosemite?
msiddens

Trad climber
Mountain View, CA
Sep 16, 2009 - 02:49pm PT
cool, saw the activity there on my way home Monday. Next time I will swing in.
Fletcher

Trad climber
Shivasana
Sep 16, 2009 - 02:50pm PT
Awesome... used to go that way all the time when I was a Bay Area pod person. Hope to stop by someday.

Eric
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Sep 16, 2009 - 03:01pm PT
Noted the activity, will check it out!
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 16, 2009 - 03:12pm PT
I got to be the first facebook fan... yes! Highlight of my day so far.

Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Sep 16, 2009 - 03:13pm PT
At the brink of the abyss!
Well above where the brake pads smell bad?
Can you ride in those big water tubes down to the power generator? :-)
BrianH

Trad climber
santa fe
Sep 16, 2009 - 03:15pm PT
Maybe a silly question, and I'm just trying to save time instead of looking it up ...

but is that on the way from San Francisco? Will I pass it while driving to Yosemite? (It's been 8 years since last I made that drive).
Mikemcee

Trad climber
Mill Valley, CA
Sep 16, 2009 - 03:32pm PT
Yeah Brian...unless you think turning into the parking lot is out of your way.
Lynne Leichtfuss

Social climber
valley center, ca
Sep 16, 2009 - 03:35pm PT
So coming up the 5 from San Diego pro is not gonna have me make a connection with this great place. All the more reason I am growing more jealous of yo No Cal'ers. :DD
maestro8

Trad climber
Sunnyvale, CA
Sep 16, 2009 - 04:18pm PT
SWEEEEEEEET POTATO FRIES!
nutjob

climber
Berkeley, CA
Sep 16, 2009 - 04:35pm PT
I think that place has some desserts with my name on it.
freeheelgirl

Trad climber
san francisco
Sep 16, 2009 - 06:13pm PT
Do you think that for those of us driving up late night from the Bay (ie: stuck in traffic getting out of here) that we can call in an order and they can leave it out front for us :) 8p closing is too early!
Russ Walling

Gym climber
Poofter's Froth, Wyoming
Sep 16, 2009 - 10:38pm PT
BVB: "I'd hit that"
Peter Haan

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Sep 16, 2009 - 10:44pm PT
Great. I was wondering when it would be open. Conrad has posted about the project in recent months. I will go, always!!

Peter Haan
Conrad

climber
Sep 16, 2009 - 10:54pm PT
Thanks chris and all of you for the positive comments and good wishes. In the second to last image the young girl with the braids in my grandmother (now deceased) and the last image is my aunt Anne, my dad Wally (holding a stick of wood) looking up to his grandfather Dan Corcoran.

Much as I wish I was there I'm in Montana with Jenni and the boys. I do get by twice a year and to get after the Capitan.

If you forget your super topo guide book Steve and Denise have them in stock. Hopefully we'll have tape and chalk in the near future.
Risk

Mountain climber
Olympia, WA
Sep 17, 2009 - 02:25am PT
With Priest Station now re-opening, Mountain Sage as a regional hang, and the Iron Door, I'm getting the feeling that the Hwy 120 corridor/Groveland area is entering a Renaissance period of sorts. Unlike Timid, I used to sometimes stop at the top of the grade to let my vanagon rest a while. Now I'll know to simply plan on a full pit stop at the cafe.
Daphne

Trad climber
Mill Valley, CA
Sep 21, 2009 - 06:02pm PT
Jaybro, Em and I stopped by here this morning on our way out of the Valley. It was around 9am-ish as we pulled in.

We were greeted warmly even though they don't officially open until 11am. Jay and Em loved the freshly made muffins and we all loved the coffee.

Being winsome helped us to score some of the best scrambled eggs ever, and we sat outside and enjoyed our coffee enjoying the deck which offers a spectacular view. They don't really offer breakfast but our charm and saying we were climbers means something here. Em bought Conrad's book- I read the intro and can't wait to read it. sorry, thread drift although climbing related...

Anyway- stop by, they've done great with the place!
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Sep 21, 2009 - 07:59pm PT
What Daphne said. That's the place to stop.
Wit and a casual, thorough, attention to detail run strongly in that family.

You won't be sorry!
pyro

Big Wall climber
Calabasas
Sep 21, 2009 - 08:15pm PT
thank-you Chris M.
rockermike

Mountain climber
Sep 21, 2009 - 08:53pm PT
there is another nice place, on right just as you enter Groveland, "Mountain Sage", coffee, a little climbing and camping stuff, free internet, photography etc. Eclectic place. Overall nice people and cool vibe(except for the man-hating comments posted in the restroom about the toilet seat). ha
Sascha

climber
Sebastopol, CA
Sep 21, 2009 - 10:42pm PT
Brian: on your way from SFO, you'll be headed on 120 East (via San Mateo Bridge & 580). A few miles after you cross the bridge along the Don Pedro reservoir, and just past the sign to Mariposa, turn right onto Old Priest Grade. (With your rental car whining in low gear, you imagine what it would be like to ride your bicycle up that hill right now. And you're glad you're driving.) At the top of the hill is where it is. I look forward to checking it out.
cleo

Social climber
Berkeley, CA
Sep 21, 2009 - 11:55pm PT
Yes, I love Mountain Sage too... GREAT on a rainy day, I could chill in there for hours with the doggies.

Can't wait to try the new Priest Station out - Max was talkin' it up when he was here :).
PSDenise

Social climber
Big Oak Flat, CA
Sep 28, 2009 - 12:16am PT
Hi ... Thanks Chris for posting pictures and our menu! This weekend we got quite a few visitors coming in saying they heard about us on SuperTopo. We have a few SuperTopo books, and I'm happy to say (Chris you will be happy to hear this) that lots of people are checking them out, and some even buy. So we plan to stock more of them. We get lots of retirees visiting our place and I think those climbing shots on the cover make our ambiance just that much cooler and sexier!

I just need to make one correction to your nice notice Chris: my brother Steven and I are not the owners! Conrad, my sister Kim and my parents Wally and Helga are the owners. Steven and I are the sweat equity component of this family venture, working at the restaurant on a daily basis. Our Mom Helga does the baking.

We are holding an event on Saturday October 10th and (I think) Conrad, Max, Sam and Isaac will be there. It's our "official" opening event and the theme is Oktoberfest, as a nod to our German heritage. We hope to have our beer and wine license by then, so stop by that weekend to enjoy a cool one on the deck.
sully

Trad climber
CA
Sep 28, 2009 - 12:48am PT
So when do you guys open on Sundays? I left Yos. after the Facelift this morning to find not only Old Priest Grade closed, but your fine establishment. I'll try again in a few months.
em knot

Trad climber
isle of wyde
Oct 4, 2009 - 01:51pm PT
Here's more info, from the flyer I picked up at the Cafe last Saturday evening

OKTOBERFEST at Priest Station
10-10-09 Reserve your table now!
Complete German Meal, $15 perperson

Come celebrate the re-opening of historic Priest Station with the Anker family. We will serve an assortment of sausages, potato salad, red cabbage, & peasant bread plus the soft drink of your choice for $15 per person, $7.50 for children under 12. Beer & wine available for sale separately

Call 962-1888 to reserve your table today!

Priest State Cafe, 17656 Old Priest Grade, Big Oak Flat, CA 95305
Seatings at 11:30, 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30
Three generations of Ankers, including Conrad Anker, in attendance

ps Also at the Cafe I picked up a copy of Jennifer Lowe-Anker's book, "Forget Me Not--A Memoir". Excellent read, with many insights and a view into a beautiful heart.


haishan

Trad climber
CA
Oct 8, 2009 - 02:14am PT
Cool... we stopped by for lunch last weekend, not knowing, and I thought the nice gentleman serving us looked a lot like Conrad Anker. You brothers have a fine resemblance. :)
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Oct 8, 2009 - 03:34am PT
hey there chris... say, nice to know.... i can't go.. but i can pass the word to others.... ;)
nutjob

Trad climber
Berkeley, CA
Oct 8, 2009 - 02:18pm PT
The sweet potato fries are good, as is the BLAT sandwich (Bacon Lettuce Avocado Tomato). Nice folks working there.

Would be cool if they opened up the old well outside for chimney climbing practice!
Ronbo

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
Oct 8, 2009 - 03:13pm PT
I'll take the Bratwurst and a 30 oz. lager!
rockermike

Trad climber
Berkeley
Oct 8, 2009 - 03:26pm PT
I stopped by last trip to Tuolumne. No veggie food (other than coffee and muffins - which I had already had my fill of) that I could find so I left.
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Oct 8, 2009 - 04:46pm PT
Great!!!

Another good place on the way home is sorely needed.

I was just thinking about a BLAT last night. My life won't be complete until I stop for one.
Bwiti

climber
Big Oak Flat CA
Oct 10, 2009 - 10:11am PT
Steve, Conrad's brother here.

Thanks for the kind comments, we appreciate and need your business! If you are coming in late (or early) give a call and may be able to cook you up a meal. Or stop in if the gate is open and ask nicely. Denise, mom or me are usually in baking, mopping or loafing. In a wee bit we will have the cabins good to go and we have been known to let friendly folks pitch a tent. There is a bit of vegetarian food, veggie burgers (delicious with bacon,) salads, grilled cheese and a veggie sandwich - not all on the menu. We try to accommodate all tastes as we have all types of people stopping. Only food can unite SF liberals, rednecks, Hindus, Muslims, and Boy Scouts visiting from around the world. Never dull and people can in fact get along.

Free beer today (Oct 10) served by Conrad on our grand Oktoberfest opening.

Priest is a special spot and it is an honor to continue the work of our ancestors started 160 years ago.

Peace, Steve
Dick Erb

climber
June Lake, CA
Oct 10, 2009 - 10:42am PT
Now I know why Conrad is such a great climber. He descended from the future, not the past like the rest of us; as Chris pointed out in his original post.
Peter Haan

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Oct 10, 2009 - 02:00pm PT
Had lunch there the day before the Stonemasters event. It was really fun to sit outside in that location, decent little menu, nice facility, unique. Will now always go there when I can.
Zander13

Mountain climber
Sausalito, CA, USA
Oct 14, 2009 - 10:23pm PT
I stopped their twice last weekend on my way through. I cant recommend the sweet potato fries and kind staff enough. In fact on my way through on Saturday Conrad Anker happened to be there and he joined me as I had my (complimentary!) beer, just because I told his sister in law that I had heard about it on Super-topo and was a climber.

Great folks, great food, and stunning location. Will always stop there from now on.

Many thanks to Anker family for re-opening,

Zander
Jerry Dodrill

climber
Sebastopol, CA
Oct 19, 2009 - 03:27am PT
Finally stopped by the cafe tonight. Steve and Denise were great. Sat on the deck and watched a beautiful sunset unfold as we ate burgers, sweet potato fries, and sipped a Heineken. Looking down the grade I realized we were sitting at the brink. Life is slower up on that hill. Once you drive down, you're headed back into the rat race of life. You gotta eat, and might as well keep the money in the family. So a new tradition is born. With the Mobile to the East and PSC to the West, 120 has good eats end to end. I'll try to stop in on each trip and support this endeavor.
Bad Climber

climber
Oct 19, 2009 - 09:30am PT
Fantastic.

Has anyone else seen cars at the bottom of Priest with flames pouring out of the wheel wells? Jeez!

Best of luck with that great, historical business.

BAd
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
Oct 19, 2009 - 12:44pm PT
I haven't seen flames, but I always wonder about the crosses.

like how many vehicles actually toss it into that canyon for whatever reasons?
Mountain Sage

Trad climber
Groveland
Oct 20, 2009 - 10:41am PT
I absolutly love the re-done Priest Station cafe. Hillary and I order out there all the time, when we have some time we like to sit on the deck and watch people. The food is great and the service is great. What a great place to stop before going down the long stretch of emptiness called the highway. Since I am a little biased about our town Groveland, I always tell people to stop in Groveland. There isnt really much else in a long way. Being the owner of Mountain Sage Coffee, I encourage people to hang out in Groveland. It is a great place to exchange beta, meet your partners, and who knows who you might meet in town. Dont forget the new Hostel. Oh yeah sorry about the man hating posters in the bathroom. It was my idea but not my intention to man hate...Just to spark a little responsibility in those who werent fortunate to be raised by our mothers sisters...etc. I was just tired of cleaning the bathroom, but thats my job:) Anyways it will be clean when you get here, and I will help you find your favorite new climbing area. Cheers Chris thanks for all the hard work!Colton Klein
Jingy

Social climber
Flatland, Ca
Oct 20, 2009 - 11:00am PT
I think I'll stop by and drop Chris Macs name just to see what type of service I get!!!

Thanks Chris
Lambone

Ice climber
Ashland, Or
Oct 20, 2009 - 12:17pm PT
will do, thanks Chris
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Nov 9, 2009 - 01:38pm PT
John Holland?

Stopped there the other week, the sweet potato fries rock! Btw. and I don't even like sweet potatoes....
rodermck

Social climber
san jose ca.
Feb 3, 2010 - 09:36pm PT
was by there thanksgiving weekend on the way to the mc devitts in el portel which i had more information then about there great menue then it was getting late wanted to get to el portel before it got to late but the yummy menue i would of had a hard time not stopping
HighTraverse

Trad climber
Bay Area
Feb 4, 2010 - 02:58pm PT
and they're open till 8PM every night.
Excellent home cooked food with lots of specials.
Stay away from Mom's pastries unless you're on a weight gain program.
They stock most of the SuperTopo guides in case you left yours at home.
squishy

Mountain climber
sacramento
Feb 4, 2010 - 03:16pm PT
We stopped in on Sunday night, good book selection too. I love California history books, and it was nice to have the supertopos nearby during dinner climbing discussions. Really nice service and great food, coming from the valley we were turned away at two other food stops which were closing early on Sunday night, but not and the Priest Station...I will be returning...
Brother John

Big Wall climber
In a cave right next to the tool shack
Feb 4, 2010 - 03:32pm PT
FREAKIN Killer meatloaf dinner and at a great location.
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Topic Author's Reply - Feb 4, 2010 - 03:35pm PT
Man, i forgot to add my trip report from last fall:

I stopped by for dinner and the place is awesome. Great views, great outdoor seating. The food is top notch. Great ingredients and I think 3 different styles of french fries. My memory is now fading but I think mine were the seasoned sweet potato fries that kicked ass. The sandwhich I had was a Turkey Cran that was five out of five stars. They definitely take the quality of the ingredients seriously as you can see on the menu. They could probably get away with just having good food in that location but thank goodness they go for the top notch. It was great to meet the whole Anker family and hear about the history there. It was cool to hear about how that spot is there because (before cars) the horses needed a spot to stop and drink. And I always thought my '97 subaru was hurting at the top of that grade... those poor horses.

Anyway, its the best spot I know of to stop for dinner on the way back from the Valley.
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 17, 2010 - 03:19am PT
ive got an ammo can. happy to donate. but those aluminum cylinders are way cooler
oldtopangalizard

Social climber
ca
Mar 17, 2010 - 10:24am PT
Good point to stop between the North Bay and Yosemite. I've never had a great meal at the Iron Door, but it has quenched my thirst.
I'll stop at Priest Grade in May.
Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
Apr 11, 2010 - 07:26pm PT
stopped by there yesterday,
it was worth while, satisfying fare...
...open 11am to 8pm so maybe if you're racing out on a short day you'd hit it...

sarabina

Social climber
the other Disney in...CA
May 16, 2010 - 11:02pm PT
Stopped in last week for a cup of coffee on my way from home over to Angels Camp for a cup of coffee. I had a dollar in cash and my debit card. $2 for coffee and a $5 min. for debit card purchases. Asked where I lived (the valley) and told me to catch him on the way back. (not many people do THAT anymore) Stopped back thru on my way home a few days later, settled up for the coffee, got another and a breakfast sandwich. Super awesome and not a bad view!
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
May 17, 2010 - 12:45am PT
Just had a salmonburger & sweet potato fies there and met the Tatooed One, good times!
HighTraverse

Trad climber
Bay Area
May 17, 2010 - 12:39pm PT
sully
you're sure it was the rock star?
'is brother Steve looks very much like and works there.

What have I been missing? Where's Mountain Sage?

Not that I plan to switch from Priest Station.
They're the BEST! Sometimes Mom is there. She bakes most of the goodies and is a real sweetheart.
A very lovely family.
Tattooed 1

Trad climber
Sebastopol, Ca
May 17, 2010 - 01:28pm PT
Hey Jaybro. Nice to meet you last night. Great sweet potato fries eh? Denise brought us out some strawberry short cakes her mom had just made, on the house. I love that place.
Tim
Lissiehoya

climber
Saint Louis, MO
May 17, 2010 - 01:39pm PT
Ack, maestro8, I was gonna say that. You beat me to it.

But: mmmmm... sweet potato fries...
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
May 31, 2010 - 11:13pm PT
Visited for a burger on the way to the Sacherer Memorial. Good food, great location, fine ambience, great service.

Though Steven may be getting tired of people mentioning that Conrad looks like him. :-)
HighTraverse

Trad climber
Bay Area
Jun 1, 2010 - 11:36am PT
Bump
I'm getting hungry
Where's Mountain Sage?
LarryS

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Jun 1, 2010 - 10:10pm PT
"Priest Station was established by the descendants of the current owners, the Anker Family, in 1853"

This sounds like a WONDERFUL restaurant, with interesting and creative owners. But how, may I ask, could the descendants of the current owners have established the place in 1853? Apparently they not only have great taste in restaurants, but are time travelers to boot! Rock ON!!!
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Jun 1, 2010 - 11:58pm PT
As Napoleon or someone supposedly said, "I'm not a descendant. I'm an ancestor."
Sascha

climber
Sebastopol, CA
Jul 1, 2010 - 10:21pm PT
Finally had a chance to stop by -- for breakfast on the way home. Good eggs, outstanding hash browns, very reasonable prices, great service, comfy seating with spectacular view, climbing literature on the bookshelf, friendly vibes all the way around. It definitely put a big smile on our faces!
Peter Haan

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
May 11, 2011 - 10:49pm PT
Bumping for Conrad's family place. Great deck, interesting menu, wonderful staff, crazy-ass location perched up there on top of Old Priest Grade. Please patronize these characters--- they are awesome!

Note their great hours: Monday-Thursday: 11 am to 8pm
Friday-Saturday-Sunday: 7 am to 8pm
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
May 11, 2011 - 11:23pm PT
But if you sit out on the patio, it's one of the more exposed places to dine I've been to. Quite the view.
Jay Wood

Trad climber
Land of God-less fools
May 11, 2011 - 11:30pm PT
+1

They've upgraded their cook, & menu.

Better coffee, fries, good salads, designer meat.

Lookin' good.
Bwiti

climber
Big Oak Flat CA
Jun 8, 2011 - 07:41pm PT
For any and all who might be by for a late night visit, we are now open until 11 pm Fri - Sun.

Best,
The folks at Priest.
msiddens

Trad climber
Mountain View
Jun 8, 2011 - 08:02pm PT
open late, cool! Almost sounds like you are catering to climbers;-)
climbingcook

Trad climber
sf
Jun 8, 2011 - 09:23pm PT
Sweet!
Conrad

climber
Jun 24, 2011 - 01:51pm PT

Thanks for the positive feedback and support for Priest Station. The restaurant continues to chug along. My bother and sister run the place and my mom does the baking and accounting.

This image is from the grand opening in 2009. My father Wally (in the tie dye overalls) passed away on April 22 2010. This was his life goal - get the restaurant up and going.

The business phone # is 209 962 1888. Call ahead orders would be great. If you called at the 108 junction (last spot before cellie goes spotty) Steve would have your order ready.

Log book is a leather deal-io on the counter.

How many of you would go for rice and lentils as a meal?

klk

Trad climber
cali
Jun 24, 2011 - 02:03pm PT
sorry to hear about yr dad.

the place turned out really nice. a california version of the sort of small places you find all over the alps. good, basic fresh food.

and i eat a lot of rice & lentils at home, so tend to go for other stuff when i eat out. it's actually sort of nice to find some fried food and red meat at a restaurant that doesn't make me feel queasy afterward, so i don't see myself giving up on the homemade potato chips anytime soon.
Tattooed 1

Trad climber
Sebastopol, Ca
Jun 24, 2011 - 04:06pm PT
Never look at the menu anymore. Bacon cheese burger with sweet potato fries and coffee every other Sunday on the way home from The Valley. Denise and Dan are great. It's a regular part of the trip now.
Tim
Loose Rocks

Trad climber
Santa Rosa, CA
Jun 24, 2011 - 04:31pm PT
Ummmm bacon. Good stuff.
nutjob

Gym climber
Berkeley, CA
Jun 24, 2011 - 04:32pm PT
Any breakfast specials tomorrow morning? I'll be leaving Berkeley around 5-6am en route to valley....
HighTraverse

Trad climber
Bay Area
Jun 24, 2011 - 06:44pm PT
Hey Jay
They've upgraded their cook, & menu.
They were already the best place between San Francisco and the Mobile in Lee Vining!
Must be awesome now.
They've also got rooms to rent at a decent price. Not that any Real Climber would admit to staying there for a night, but you can recommend them to your Granny.

WHOOOOO!!
11 PM!
The ONLY place besides Fast Fart Boogers between SF and Mammoth.
cmclean

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Sep 8, 2011 - 08:02pm PT
Just stopped here for the first time a couple weeks ago on our way out of the valley. This place is fantastic! Tasty burgers, great views, and a nice ambience. Denise is super nice too. Definitely my new favorite spot to go post-climbing.
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Sep 8, 2011 - 10:48pm PT
Do they serve Anker Steam Beer?
Conrad

climber
Dec 2, 2011 - 07:29pm PT
Hi Climbers,

Priest is open for the winter hours - lunch Monday to Thursday and all three meals on the weekend. All sorts of good food for those not afraid of calories with my siblings and mom at the helm. Mention the taco and your soda or coffee is on us.

Call ahead at 209 962 1888 and have your food ready.


Thanks - and pardon the shameless plug.


HighTraverse

Trad climber
Bay Area
Dec 2, 2011 - 08:52pm PT
I stopped in a few weeks ago. As always great hospitality, fine food and a grand view. Conrad's family are the SHIZZZZ
Maysho

climber
Soda Springs, CA
Dec 3, 2011 - 09:57am PT
Hey Conrad hope all is great with you and yours!

I love that place! A great burger and sweet potato fries has become a key part of a bizarre routine I will do for the third time this February. I race in the Glacier Point Skate Race, a 35k awesome mini-marathon, from Badger Pass to the Point and back, few of the Tahoe crew make it down, so I usually win place or show...Then I bid a hurried good-bye and thank you to the race organizer, Dave Bengston and the next leg of my race begins as I must get to San Rafael by 4:00pm to meet 14 high school students load them up in 2 vans, and drive to Humboldt County for the beginning of my 6 day Adventures in Restoration Course - Salmon Habitat Restoration in the Mattole Watershed, kayaking the Eel river, climbing at Carruthers Cove, hiking Fern Canyon...

The key practice that I know makes it all possible, is that I call from Groveland, place my order with Conrad nice brother, my recovery protein blast tasty burger is waiting when I pull in, I rush out, take a few big bites in the lot, and pull it out again on the flats after descending the Priest Grade. I make it to San Rafael on time, don't make a big deal about having just skied a big race that morning to the parents who are putting their kids in my care for the week.

The good food at the right time at Priest Station keeps me going all evening, plus the teenage chatter, hip-hop tunes, and a bit of coffee, and we pull into our first nights lodging in Garberville by 9:00pm. Whew!

Peter
Conrad

climber
Dec 3, 2011 - 12:15pm PT
Thanks Peter. Sounds like a wild adventure. If you ever need a space to pitch your tents let us know.

I think most of us know the climb - the climber is a mystery. I was noodling around in the photo archives and found the image from 2005. We met in the C4 parking lot and he was a super awesome fellow. I don't remember who he is!

ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Trad climber
San Francisco, Ca
Dec 3, 2011 - 02:09pm PT
Life has changed me into HWY 41 entrance guy for now, but I always swing in for a jalapeno burger when logistics take me out towards Priest Grade. Great place.
splitclimber

climber
Sonoma County
Dec 12, 2011 - 12:39pm PT
supertopians got free drinks yesterday. Great jambalaya too.
oldtopangalizard

Social climber
ca
Dec 12, 2011 - 08:46pm PT
Forgot to chime in on this last August. Killer burger on the way back from the Meadows after 4 days. Needed a lift for the foggy eyed drive home and had an endless glass of Pepsi. Good folks, must stop.
Powder

Trad climber
SF Bay Area
Dec 12, 2011 - 09:15pm PT
Stopped by for lunch AND dinner on Sat.

Good food & very friendly staff! I had the Bratwurst (umm the red cabbage :9 ) and my friend had the shroom burger (it's HUGE) with sweet potato fries - lots of food...


Dinner: both had jambalaya - one ordered the three-course (so we could share :) and one ordered entrée. I'm usually a gumbo person but boy.. that jambalaya was delicious! ...didn't think I'd finish it because it was a lot; I ended up cleaning the bowl! Loved the salad - those sweet and very juicy slices of pear was the key... Simple and yet unforgettable. Also they gave us a bigger slice of the pumpkin pie so we could share - so nice!!! Thank you. ~_~ And did I mention the freshly squeezed lemonade? :9~~~
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 5, 2012 - 12:12pm PT
Just got the latest menu from Steven Anker. Now get some on your way to Yosemite!


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