Good Eats on I-80

A winter adventure up the interstate for skiing or snowboarding (or west-bound for a “snowless escape”) doesn’t mean you have to compromise when it comes to a road stop for lunch or dinner. Just like the old Route 66, you can “get your kicks” and enjoy fresh, local and well-prepared food along I-80 between Davis and Truckee, all at a reasonable price.

There are hidden gems off the interstate, for a sit-down dinner or a quick “to go” meal—in Loomis, Newcastle, Auburn and elsewhere. Tired of the traffic? Stop for dinner, recount your day and let the traffic clear. Here are some options:

BISTRO 103 103 Sacramento St., Auburn 530-888-1033 Bistro103.menu

MONKEY CAT 805 Lincoln Way, Auburn 530-888-8492 MonkeyCat.com

NEWCASTLE PRODUCE
Located a minute from I-80 at the Newcastle exit, the deli offers “to go” sandwiches, as well as homemade, ready-to-eat meals, including soups, casseroles, salads and wraps. 9230 Cypress St., Newcastle 916-663-2016 NewcastleProduce.com

LBB GASTROPUB & SMOKEHOUSE
Just off I-80 in Loomis, the new gastropub serves delicious food, and pours its own Loomis Basin Brew- ing Co. beer, as well as wine. Menu items include a pub house sandwich (smoked tri-tip,pulled pork or chicken breast glazed in Alohawk ale sauce), smoked ribs, and smokehouse Caesar (lettuces and smoked bacon). 3640 Taylor Road, Suite C, Loomis 916-824-1527 LoomisBasinBrewing.com

THE ORGANIC COUP, DAVIS
America’s first USDA certified organic fast food restaurant, serving its signature crispy chicken sandwich; chicken wraps; chicken bowls; organic sodas—and organic popcorn. 130 G St., Suite C, Davis, 530-746-2407 TheOrganicCoup.com

RAINBOW TAVERN & LODGE Just off of I-80, the historic Rainbow Lodge in Soda Springs has reopened under new management. The restaurant and tavern is open Friday-Sunday. It is available for rental as a private lodge. Near Royal Gorge, North America’s largest XC ski resort, Sugar Bowl and Boreal. TheRainbowLodge.com