Adventure Bites - Summer Edition

After any amount of time in the woods, on the water, or in the mountains,  it seems like we always re-enter society craving one thing: food. Maybe a shower or soft bed too, but for many, hunger is the first thing to be satisfied.

This post is all about those favorite tried and true post-adventure  chow spots. It's summer, so I’ve compiled a list organized around our favorite areas to play outside. Because everyone has different tastes, I’ve provided categories for different genres: Burgers and Burritos, for those of us who want nothing more than a delicious pile of calories, Finer Fare, for those who prefer something more refined, and Regional Specialties, for those who want to taste the local favorites. Dig in!

Mt. Baker

Finer Fare – North Fork Brewery: Beer and Pizza never gets old. North Fork Brewery takes it to the next level with gourmet pizza topping combos and other specialties on the menu, like Spicy Ale Steamer Clams and a variety of calzones and grinders to please everybody. Not to mention a rotating taps of freshly brewed British Ales and Belgian Sours and Lagers. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Burgers or Burritos – Chair 9: A classic bar and grill with burgers, beer, and pizza. TV screens playing sport ball included.

Regional Specialty – Wake n’ Bakery: Breakfast pastries and coffee galore! This spot is proud to be baking fresh, delicious, and wholesome pastries every day. They also do simple breakfast plates if you’re looking for more protein. Get sconed.

North Cascades - West

Burgers or Burritos - Mondo Restaurant: Teriyaki and Burgers: a classic Washington combo. Mondo’s has something for everybody, including breakfast and barbeque! Homemade pies to finish off the meal.

Burgers or Burritos - La Hacienda: Extensive Mexican menu with a number of seafood dishes as well. I’ve been told the margaritas are pretty good too.

Burgers or Burritos - Burger Barn: Squire Creek Walls left you with an empty stomach? Burger barn is right around the corner! Slab Daddy would be proud.

North Cascades - East

Burgers or Burritos - Old Schoolhouse Brewery: Pub food done well! Many of their meals are spins on old classics, such as the Greek Lamb Burger. Paired with a lovely riverside deck and a fresh brew, it’s a great place to recharge. 

Regional Specialties  - Mazama Store: By far a well-known favorite. The Mazama Store is a food lover’s oasis nestled at the eastern base of the North Cascades. If you’ve never been, be prepared for beautiful bakery items including several different bread choices, danish, Kouign-Amann, and a smattering of others. They do sandwiches and soups, and if you’re lucky to be there on a Wednesday during the summer, the pizza oven will be turning out hot pies. A must-visit if you’re in the area.

Hwy 2 - West

Burgers or Burritos - Zeke’s Drive In: Burgers, sandwiches, shakes, and convenience.  

Regional Specialties - Sultan Bakery : A great stop for a quick pastry or donut or for a sit-down meal if you have more time. Classic American food is the theme. The cinnamon rolls are HUGE.

Hwy 2 - East 

Burgers or Burritos - Leavenworth Sausage Garten: Who said sausages were burgers or burritos…I did! Ending a trip with a brat and a beer is awesome. Included with your sausage: 20 mustard options!

Finer Fare - The Watershed: If you want to avoid mediocre food with tourist pricing, the Watershed is exactly the place to go. The Watershed locally sources as many products as possible, and uses the ingredients to make beautiful starters, salads, hand-tossed pizzas, and ‘pie-folds’. Bonus: they serve brunch on the weekends!

Regional Special - Good Mood Food: A personal favorite. Good Mood Food serves delicious and healthy breakfast and lunch food packed with nutrition. They make great gyro/falafel wraps, quinoa salads, fresh juices, and wonderful homemade quick breads and scones.

I-90 - East

Burgers or Burritos - Tacos Chalito: Awesome Mexican food!  Simple and delicious. 

Finer Fare - Yellow Church Café: A beautiful old church turned into a gourmet local standby. Standard breakfast and lunch options done well, upscale dinner options including seared tuna and steak options.  Yum!

Regional Special - Thorp Fruit and Antique Mall: Although mostly centered around local and seasonal fruit, Thorp is a great place to stop if you just want something fresh. Awesome eastern Washington fruit!

I-90 - West/Central

Finer Fare - DruBru/The Commonwealth: New age American food with a great brewery right next door! Pulled pork sliders and other fancy sandwiches, homemade baked goods, and fresh NW salads.

Burgers or Burritos - Scott’s Dairy Freeze: Burgers and ice cream! Amazing fries. *PRO TIP* - If you have a hard time deciding between icey/fruity and creamy/cold, or if you just want something different, I highly recommend doing the following: Get an icey of your favorite flavor, then get a small soft serve.  Invert soft serve into icey. I call it an iceberg, inspired by a trip to Quebec.

Teanaway

Finer Fare - Basecamp Books and Bites: Hip spot for a good meal.  Gussied-up comfort food for dinner (truffle-mashed potatoes included), well done standards for lunch and breakfast.  Not to mention the full bar with artisan cocktails, all attached to an adorable little bookstore.

Burgers or Burritos - The Brick: A classic stop on the way out of the Teanaway.  Burgers and bar food with a side of Northern Exposure.

Regional Specialties - Cle Elum Bakery: A great little spot with delicious treats. Donuts, pastries, cookies, and fresh baked breads.  Fresh sandwiches made to order.

Regional Specialities – Mule & Elk Brewing: A new brewery with tasty microbrews and local ciders on tap, in a beautiful space (bonus: they have Mountaineers Books to help you plan your next adventure). They also have food to snack on - get the pepperoni pizza. Fun fact: Mule & Elk is Cle Elum spelled backward (but, with a K!). 

Olympics

Burgers or Burritos - Kelsey’s All Natural: Classic American food, done really well. The recommendation came with high praise from a picky eater.

Finer Fare - Port Gamble General Store or Butcher and Baker Provisions: Talk about a meal with a view! VERY beautiful food and bakery items, set in the quaint corner of Port Gamble. Will be opening September 2018 under new ownership, but I have high hopes!

Regional Specialties - Next Door Gastropub: Tasty salads, sandwiches, burgers, and fancier entrees such as crab cakes and green curry seafood. They source local ingredients and have a wide variety of bottled beers, craft cocktails, and wines.