Chuck Wagon Report

Most of the time when we are offroading we are preparing meals in camp overlooking some scenic wonder or on our way to one.  However sometimes you need a break from cooking or the weather has turned bad, like cold, windy and rain.   Maybe your vehicle developed a problem and you have been fighting it all day.   

I admit there are some fast food chains I like, so they are listed in the smaller towns

• Del Taco – I am a long time fan thier burritos and their French Frys are awesome
• Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop – Classic Cheesesteak with mild or hot peppers
• Chipotle – I am a fan of burritos and in many places they are the best in town
• Popeyes – I always order the spicy chicken with Red Beans and Rice
• El Pollo Loco – I really like their chicken and their Mac N Cheese is world class
• Schlotzsky’s – Great sandwiches – I like their Turkey Original
• Torchy’s Tacos – Up and coming chain not to be missed
• Five Guys – Is my current go to fast food place for burgers

(On Triple D) refers to Food Channel’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives series.

• Arizona
  • Flagstaff * I-40
    • Brandy’s Restaurant & Bakery – On Triple D
    • Salsa Brava – On Triple D
  • Page * US-89
    • Big John’s Texas BBQ
    • Fiesta Mexicana
  • Phoenix * I-10
    • Capriotti’s
    • McAlister’s Deli
    • Schlotzsky’s
    • Torchy’s Tacos
  • Tucson * I-10
    • Capriotti’s
    • Schlotzsky’s
•  California
  • Baker * I-15
    • Country Store – Like soft drinks? this place has over 400 kinds
    • The Mad Greek – I always schedule trips in the area to hit Baker at meal time. – On Triple D
  • Barstow * I-15, I-40, CA-58
    • Del Taco – I am a long time fan and their French Frys are awesome 
    • El Pollo Loco – I really like their chicken and their Mac N Cheese is world class
    • In-N-Out Burger – not top of my list, but many folks would shoot me if I didn’t show it
    • Fosters Freeze – for ice cream
    • Original Tommy’s – LA institution and famous for their chiliburger.
  • Bishop  * US-395
    • Aaron Schat’s Roadhouse – untested but hearing good things
    • El Pollo Loco
    • Erick Schat’s Bakery – Gold star Sheepherder bread and try to get out without some of their other baked goods
    • Jack’s Restaurant – great place and is also highly rated on the web
  • Chiriaco Summit * I-10
    
    • Fosters Freeze – Spent a hot day in Joshua Tree, this will cool you down
  • Lone Pine * US-395
    • Mt Whitney Restaurant – good food if you have bit more time than hitting the McD down the street
  • Rosamond
    • Fosters Freeze – ice cream
  • Walker * US-395
    • Walker Burger – great burgers, frys and shakes.  Nice outdoor seating
  • Weed * I-5
    • Pizza Factory
  •  Yermo * I-15
    • Del Taco – started here, but longer has a location here
    • Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner – more for the atmosphere than the food

• Colorado
  • Denver * I-70, I-25
    • Capriotti’s
    • Schlotzsky’s
    • Torchy’s Tacos
  • Colorado Springs * I-25
    • Capriotti’s
    • Schlotzsky’s
    • Torchy’s Tacos
  • Grand Junction * I-70
    • Ale House
    • McAlister’s Deli
  • Lake City
    • Packer Saloon & Cannibal Grill
  • Silverton
    •  
• Idaho
  • Almo * ID-77
    
    • Tracy General Store – Great ice cream.  Think they serve food also.  Oldest store in Idaho
  •  Arco * US-93, US-20
    • Pickle’s Place – popular out of the way place
  • Eden * ID-25
    • The Snug Bar & Grill – 
  •  Shoshone * US-93
    • The Snack Bar – They have food, but I haven’t gotten past the milkshakes.  Awesome!
  • Twin Falls * I-84, US-93
    • Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop
    • Chipotle
    • Costco – Passing through – gas and food court
    • McAlister’s Deli – for a great sandwich or baked potato
    • Reed’s Ice Cream and Dairy – extra rich ice cream
• Nevada
  • Elko * I-80
    • The Star Hotel – Widely known for its Basque Dining, bring a big appetite. 
  • Ely * US-50
    • Hometown Pizza
    • Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant
  • Las Vegas * I-15  (town has too many choices)
    • Del Taco
    • Popeyes
    • El Pollo Loco
    • Schlotzsky’s – wish I had one closer
    • Whataburger – In Texas they are more popular than In N Out
    • New York, New York – Greenberg’s Deli, lower level near north door entrance.  NY style Corned Beef, you know what I am talkin about.
• New Mexico
  • Albuquerque * I-40, I-25
    • McAlister’s Deli
    • Schlotzsky’s
  • Aztec * US-550
    • A&W – Great old style car hop design building
  • Farmington * US-64, NM-516
    • Chipotle
    • Fiesta Mexicana
    • Popeyes
    • Schlotzsky’s
    • Whataburger – The Texas favorite
  • Hobbs
    • Schlotzsky’s
  • Ruidoso
    • Schlotzsky’s
  • Santa Fe
    • Schlotzsky’s
•  Texas
  • Amarillo
    • McAlister’s Deli
    • Schlotzsky’s
    • Torchy’s Tacos
  • Austin (lots of great places, just a few listed)
    • Tarka Indian Kitchen
    • P. Terry’s Burger Stand
    • Torchy’s Tacos
    • Schlotzsky’s
    • Peace Deli
    • Terry Black’s BBQ
    • Rudy’s BBQ
    • Home Slice Pizza
    • Amy’s Ice Cream
  • Driftwood
    • The Salt Lick BBQ – Huge original location
  • El Paso
    • McAlister’s Deli
    • Schlotzsky’s
  • Lubbock
    • McAlister’s Deli
    • Schlotzsky’s
    • Torchy’s Tacos
  • Odessa/Midland
    • Schlotzsky’s
    • Torchy’s Taco
• Utah
  • Beaver * I-15
    • The Creamery – they had me at ice cream, but with cheeses and great food – winner 
  • Bluff * US-191
    • Comb Ridge Eat & Drink – 
    • Twin Rocks Café – Need a break from searching for cliff dwellings – kick back with some great food here.
  • Boulder * UT-12
    • Burr Trail Grill – a perfect stop at the west end of the Burr Trail
  •  Escalante * UT-12
    • Escalante Outfitters – great place for a meal after long hikes in nearby slot canyons.   The hang out for hikers, campers, climbers, jeepers, canyoneerers, travelers, and photographers.
    • Kiva Koffeehouse – Awesome views, a great place to take a break.  14 miles east of Escalante
  • Green River * I-70
    • Maverik – breakfast burrito 
    • Ray’s Tavern – Great food I usually get the cheeseburger.  Where river runners, off-roaders and melon farmers come to eat and swap stories
    • Vetere Melons – in the melon season, grab some, they will be great at your campsite.  Green River is known far and wide for melons 
    • Tamarisk Restaurant – higher end fare
  • Hanksville * UT-24
    • Duke’s Slickrock Grill – been coming here for years
    • Stan’s Burger Shak – untested but hearing good things
  • Hurricane * UT-9
    • Alfredo’s A Mexican Food – Doesn’t look like much, but love the food.
    • Del Taco
    • Mekong Kitchen Thai restaurant – Unexpected to find good Thai food
  • Kanab * US-89
    • Escobar’s Mexican Restaurant – My gold standard for Chili Verde, so I always get a Chili Verde Burrito.  Everyone at the table with me is happy, so other items must be good.
    • Houston’s Trail’s End Restaurant – hearty plates of American fare, great Chicken Fried Steak
    • The Dining Room at Parry Lodge – Home style American breakfast buffet and upscale dinner
  • Mexican Hat * US-163
    • San Juan Inn – Very good Navajo Tacos
  • Moab * US-191
    • Fiesta Mexicana – For years has been our go to place for Mexican
    • Love Muffin Cafe – great place to get your morning started
    • Maverik – darn good breakfast burrito
    • Milt’s Stop & Eat – Great burgers and shakes – crazy busy most of the time
    • Moab Brewery – Upscale
    • Moab Diner – I always stop in, great menu.  The wife loves their liver and onions.
    • Moab Food Truck Park – Lots of choices, have only tried the gyro place
    • Tey’s Home made Mexican Food – Food truck across from City Market – AdventureTaco & wife give it two thumbs up – so I will try it next time I am in Moab
  • Panguitch * US-89
    • Cowboy’s Smokehouse – untested but hearing great things
  • St George
    • Capriotti’s
    • Chipotle
    • Del Taco
    • Five Guys
    • Popeyes
    • Tacos Plaza – AdventureTaco rates this place highly, so it is on my list.
  • Torrey * UT-24
    • Rock Reef Cafe