A visit to Joshua Tree is likely to be an active adventure. Hiking the trails, driving the winding roads of the State Park, and taking in the spectacular vistas, is sure to leave you a bit parched, with your tummy growling with self-righteous “feed me now!” hunger.
Don’t get hangry. Get fed.
Lucky for you there are a number of excellent places that you can eat, drink and be made more the merrier for it in Joshua Tree and the surrounding areas. I had the good fortune to try out the three establishments below when I was on a recent press trip with Visit San Bernadino and can happily vouch for all of them. In addition to having great food, and great atmosphere, all of the below eateries were able to handle my gluten free/allergy-free food requests, with grace and care.
Here are my recommendations for breakfast, lunch and dinner the next time you are in the desert.
The Frontier Cafe for Breakfast
The Frontier Cafe is a mellow, kick back and read the paper kind of place. This location is so very allergy friendly, that I had a gluten free breakfast sandwich, and it wasn’t even specially ordered off the regular menu. I loved the casual atmosphere with comfy sofas and a game area as well as tables.
This appears to be a local hangout and I saw families as well as people doing a bit of work in this “home away from home” feeling location. There were message boards with local events and activities and some items for sale including a hand drawn local flora and fauna coloring book (I bought). This is an excellent place to stop for afternoon coffees as well as for breakfast. Buy the (also gluten free) macaroons, and take one to go. Some of the best I’ve had.
Crossroads Cafe for Lunch
This cafe looks and feels like it belongs in a movie set. Or maybe a Netflix original series about desert artists. Sheathed in corrugated metal and with a windowful of novel-worthy characters, it might intimidate some, but don’t let it. The food here is not pretentious, just simple delicious. They had no problem accepting our allergic eaters challenge (no gluten, soy or chili) and the burgers were pretty much perfectly formed, grilled and dressed. We tried not to eat all the fries, and failed.
There are bulletin boards outside the cafe, that are worth a quick perusal. You never know what your might find. There are also a bunch of souvenir shops,climbing supplies and kitschy photo backgrounds to explore within close walking distance and the cafe is ideally located for a quick trip over to the State Park offices, where you can speak with a ranger to help plan your day and pick up some maps and supplies.
Side Note: Make sure to go to the bathroom to wash your hands at the Crossroads Cafe before you leave. They had an old-fashioned powdered soap dispenser. O can’t recall the last time I saw one! I kind of wished my kids were there so I could launch into a whole tale of how that used to be a thing, back in the day. It definitely made me nostalgic for long ago road trips – reminding me of the rest stops we’d pit stop and eat at.
Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace for Dinner
This is the most popular place to go after a long day of hiking and exploring. Or a long day of driving, ditch-digging, photo-shooting… you name it. Pappy and Harriet’s is a popular and famous destination.
A sign in the entry advises you to go away if you are in a rush. That’s some sound advice. Waits for a table can be long on a busy night. There are two seatings an evening. But belly your way up to the bar and order a cocktail and settle in while you wait for your table, or after you’ve finished.
The atmosphere and people watching here are excellent. I’d best describe it as Austin hipster meets desert mystic. There were patrons of every age here – it’s not an adults only venue. I observed kids in highchairs seated just a few yards from wizened cowboys, tossing back a beer. That made me happy. I love places that feel open to all, and I like to take my kids to places like this. None of us have ever particularly loved being relegated to a fast food joint with a play space. Just make sure your kids can handle a loud, dim, busy restaurant before you drag them along (mine can, and would happily settle in and order steak).
Otherwise leave the kids behind and go out and have a blast yourselves here.
This low lit bar and restaurant has live music, and the talent bar for that live music is set pretty high. We were there on a weeknight, on open mic night and the place was packed and the performances top notch bookable. Open mic, indeed!?
If you think I am exaggerating about the talent level, you should know that Paul McCartney recently popped in and played here, this past October. Yes. That Paul McCartney.
Food is good. I had a delicious perfectly done steak that was wonderfully smoky, thanks to the Mesquite grill and no added chemical seasonings. If you eat meat, get steak.
Some music, a margarita and a perfect steak? Stick a fork in me. My day in the desert was done.
More Things to See and Do in San Bernadino County:
- Experiencing Fall at Oak Glen Village
- A Taste of Colonial Life at Riley’s Stone Soup Farm
- Spending The Night at an Oasis in Joshua Tree
- Where to Express Your Artistic Self in Joshua Tree
- Taking a Walk in the National Park at Joshua Tree NSP
- Where to Eat Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in Joshua Tree
- Where to Watch the Sun Set & Moonrise in Joshua Tree
- Horseback Riding Along the Pacific Crest Trail
- The Alpine Zoo of San Bernadino
- Shopping at Lake Arrowhead Village
- A Visit to Santa’s Village at Skypark
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