Stopped for lunch with my family today on the way to Nevada and everything was great. Nothing tastes better than diner food in the mountains after being in the car for 1.5 hours. I ordered a French dip sandwich with grilled onions and Swiss cheese added. It came with crinkle cut fries (my fave!) and it was piled extra full of meat. Service was very homey and welcoming and while it's not at all fancy, it's everything it needs to be. read more

Cook's Station - French dip with grilled onions and Swiss. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Pioneer, California

Good solid food. I had the patty melt, wife had the BLT. Plenty of fresh ingredients, piled high. Both came with fries. Price point is low, good value. If you are a lighter eater, two can definitely split a meal. Coffee, $2.50. Hard to beat. Service is friendly. Place is quaint. If you are passing by and at all hungry, stop in. They also have beer/seltzers/sodas to go. read more

If you want breakfast, get there plenty before 11am or expect to be rushed to order. We came in at 10:50 and our order was taken 5 minutes later while trying to read 18 pages of breakfast items! I was kind of disappointed in my rushed choice. We've been here before so I know it's good. Waitress seemed grumpy today. Took pics of the whole menu to post here so I could pre-pick next time! lol read more

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I've enjoyed breakfast here a few times. Portion sizes are good, flavor as well. The breakfast menu is huge! Lots of choices for picky eaters, and a lot of variety in general. Cook's has become our new favorite place to have a nice meal. Well worth driving a little bit farther. read more

Exactly what you want in the mountains for breakfast! Corned beef hash, biscuits and gravy, and chocolate chip pancakes for the kids. Mimosas and bloody Mary's. Everyone here is very friendly. Should be on diners, drive-ins, and dives. If you're in the pioneer area it's a great breakfast stop! read more

Cooks is such a cool mountain restaurant high up off the 88. Today i stopped by for breakfast before going fishing for the day! Its a Mountain vibe spot that has a home-cooked menu! I had the veggie breakfast burrito and it was awesome! With a side of Bacon, of course! It was wrapped perfectly and i was able to take my leftovers for a snack later! Definitely recommend adding this to your stop. You can even get your burrito to go. Great service, perfect mountain atmosphere and yummy home style food! read more

Cook's Station - Veggie Breakfast Burrito with avocado! Yum - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Pioneer, California

This was a great spot to stop on our trip. Excellent food, great service, and an adorable doggie to great us! So much history there on the menu and walls. Will be back! read more

New owners, but food is still good. The young ladies that run it are really nice. Josie, the puppy, is the star of the place. Nice and very peaceful. The place is history. Reading the stories on the menu and wall is really nice. read more

This place is absolutely outstanding! My most favorite place when we are in the area. We get the biscuits & gravy combo, trio French toast & choco chip pancakes. Not to mention, their mimosas are a very generous pour! MUCH better than Gibson's! P.S. the fire place during the winter months is amazing. read more

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The fries were crispy, but overly salted. The sandwich was very tasty. Good mountain water! Had to move outside to get away from the screaming out of control children! read more

Cook's Station - Sign - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Pioneer, California

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Heading down the 88 on our way to this week's auto races in Merced. The Al Miller memorial. We honestly just needed a pit stop. Ahead on the left, it's Cook's Station. Smack dab in the middle of logging central. They have a restroom alright. It's for customers only and it's outside. They also have rustic picnic tables and a shaded seating area. The view is breath taking. The air is clean and clear. At this point we would've accepted mediocre food. Far from it. I had the basic quarter pound burger with all the fixins' called a Connie. A side of rings and a big iced tea. Exactly half of that accompanied us to the hotel. Huge! Not to mention it was one of the best burgers I've had in years. So good we stopped on the way back home. Unfortunately, the burgers start at noon. We returned at 10am. They must have received a ton of complaints because they've introduced a breakfast burger with egg, cheese and hash browns on a hamburger bun. They also make great French toast! The women are most pleasant and the inside is cozy and warm. Parking is extremely limited but they don't seem very busy. All in all, a great little find that we'll be revisiting, soon! 04/21 read more

Cook's Station - Scrambled egg, cheese, hash brown and a burger. Yum! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Pioneer, California

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I showed up at 11am exactly. They refused me breakfast. No wonder this station is for sale. The waitress was horrible.

Wow. I really wasn't expecting much from this place as I've passed it on my way to Tahoe and maybe only stopped in a few times for drinks to enjoy on the road. My Brother In Law recommended this place for a bite to eat. Why not? He likes to eat good food so we stopped in. There were only a few people in dining so we had our drink order taken right away. Waters already on the table before you could blink. Then I ordered, Breakfast avocado burrito with egg whites (waitress didn't even bar an eyelash when I started making changes to the original menu item), no cheese, no sour cream. This also came with fresh avocado, green peppers, onions and canned mushrooms. Fresh would have been good, but I can see how it makes more sense to use canned. There was salsa served on the side and honestly... this was a damn good burrito. My Hubby has the roast beef sandwich with everything but mayo. He said his fries were crisp and the sandwich was gone in a matter of minutes. There is a lot of history in this spot and I'm glad we dropped in. Never judge a book by its cover. read more

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Had a great breakfast this am. It was cold & snowing and a hot breakfast hit the spot. Super friendly & I had the sausage, onion, and pepper omelet. A great place to stop before heading up the mountain! read more

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Cheap food. Awesome atmosphere. If we are here, it means we went somewhere really fun and this is the capstone of our trip. Friendly service from locals. Totally recommend it. Great for kids too. My littles always get the bear pancakes because it looks like Mickey Mouse and comes with M&Ms and whipped cream. There is a story about a ghost that lives there too. Totally worth a trip to visit. read more

Avoid the Fish N Chips. I got two identical, frozen bricks of white fish. Bitting into that ice cold fish and crunching through the meat was really gross and startling How can this be served? Here? Seems so well established. I liked the vibes and country feel of the place. What really made me stop in were the motorcycles parked outside. There is a level of trust that bikers seem to flock to and so I usually can count on seeing that but I was deceived. After sending fish back I saw the popular plates were the burgers so I went with the blue cheese version. Mediocre at best. Patty thin, quality eh. These nice people put my tab on the house so I can't complain now unless I get sick from that fish later. It's too bad about the food. read more

I could kick myself for not stopping at Cook's Station sooner! We made it our lunch pitstop on the drive to Tahoe on Saturday. We enjoyed it so much that we stopped for breakfast on the drive home this morning. The vibe is perfect for anyone road-tripping: it's a historical building and that history is well preserved and celebrated. You might not be on horseback or in a wagon, but you're on the same pass as the pioneers and cowboys of yore, so stop and enjoy the creature comforts of Cook's Station just as they did! For lunch Saturday I had the French dip and husband had a burger. Clean plates all around! The roast beef was delicious. For breakfast today he had an omelette and I had a breakfast sandwich, a banana pancake, and a Reese's Pieces pancake. I'm pregnant and the combo of savory and sweet is the bee's knees for me right now. Plus the portions were very generous so I ended up taking a lot to go (I'll get two more meals out of it.) The menu selection is quite vast and in my opinion very affordable. One of the ladies who works at Cook's Station bakes sweet treats for the business. I bought a slice of triple berry pie and peanut butter cookies on Saturday. They were all delicious so today I left with a slice of apple pie and chocolate-oatmeal cookies. I'm looking forward to tucking into them very soon. My husband is now jokingly referring to Cook's Station as my favorite restaurant. But it really did check all the boxes for me: good food, attentive and kind service, unique atmosphere, and cleanliness. You've got to try it! read more

My friend and I wanted breakfast and I remembered the last time at Cooks was good. We went in at 11:03 and asked about breakfast. We stop serving breakfast at 11:00. Mind you no one was there. She told us no one serves breakfast accept Dennys. Well we ordered bacon, avo, Swiss sandwich. The Swiss is processed, and was not tasty. We went down the street to Gibsons to check out the new restaurant and it was quaint, cute and FRIENDLY. We won't be back to Cooks read more

Loved stopping by here on our way home from Tahoe. Amazing little homey spot to have a quick rest, take in some history and taste their amazing home cooked food. Very delicious and every time we head up there, we will definitely stop by each time. Wish I had a picture to post but you'll just have to take my word for it. Service was a mom and daughter who were very kind and welcoming to the area. read more

I have been coming here for 55 years. I'm a loyal customer. It's a hour drive to get here. Have been here twice in the last three months for breakfast. Never mentioned to me that they stop at 11am. Got here at one minute pass 11 yesterday and was told they stop serving breakfast at 11am. Would not serve me breakfast. The last two times here they never said that they stop at 11am. Nothing posted on the walls, or in the menu or on the doors at the entrance. Looked on line and saw on their menu that said breakfast served until 12 noon. Also at the bottom of the page a customer said they serve breakfast till noon at which time they switch to lunch. Won't ever be back !!! read more

The waitress was very rude!!! We have been here many many times over the years and will not return. We ordered 4 coffee's with water and she said" well your gonna be running me all morning with this order". Is this not your JOB? We also had our 3 teens with us and the comments kept flying about our order and what a pain it would be. We had NO special requests at all. SO if you want to order food and drinks from wait staff Cook Station they are not into that type of service. If you don't want to wait on people then a WAITress job may not be the job for you and based on your personality trust me IT'S NOT. The dog was cute but not a service animal and should not run loose in a clean restaurants. But not to worry yours is not clean. read more

Hospitality meets home cooking. It might not look like much but if I drive this way again I will make sure to stop here for the crowd that eats here and the waitresses warm smiles that are truly genuine. Food: Burgers, Breakfast, and Sandwiches. Fries lack seasoning but overall the BLT on Sourdough was great. Service: Prompt and friendly. They offered us a chair in the back to change my daughter since no facilities were available. Value: 2 meals with added Avo and two waters $22. NOTE:No changing tables and outside bathroom only. read more

Best. Burgers. Ever. Top notch service-cozy and warm atmosphere. Must be a popular local place as many were greeted by name walking thru doorTook a slice of blueberry pie home ($5) -absolutey delicious! Choose beverage of choice from refrigerated section at end of dining area (to your right as you enter). read more

Been going for years but about two weeks ago my wife, daughter and I drove from Arnold to Cooks just to eat. Man it was packed and there was one super waitress doing it all! Wish I got her name but she had long red/brown hair and she was kicking tail. Bussing, taking orders, cashiering and bar tending. She was the only one there and handling it like a pro. Our order was perfect and she even was smiling. Will keep going and hope we get her again, she made our day! Owners give this lady a raise you have a keeper! read more

My Aunt & I stopped on our way to Minden for breakfast. We are so glad we did! I love linguica & eggs .. was so yummy! The best thing about this place are the ladies that work their along with the Mrs. ..Owner.. so nice & welcoming. Cool history & has a great vibe.. read more

I couldn't stay away from this amazing restaurant, and four days after posting my first review, my "foodie" friend Adrienne and I paid a visit. After seeing the 1-pound "Noel Burger" on their "Lunch" menu... I HAD to pay another visit. As you walk in the door, you'll be greeted with a wood-burning stove, that provides heat for the restaurant, using locally-gathered pine and cedar logs. I love the "rustic" smell of the logs burning in the stove, and the cheery glow of the burning longs. In keeping with the Sierra Nevada mountains, the dining room is rustic, comfortable and very informal. Posted on the wall, next to the entrance of the kitchen, there's a photo of Cook's Station, dating back to the late 1800's. Beside food and drinks, the restaurant sells firewood, and many in-house made items, such as hats and scarves. Connie, the co-owner of the restaurant, is talented when it comes to sewing or crocheting. The menu is HUGE, and features a total of 18 pages of "comfort food" and diner cuisine. The "Lunch" section of the menu starts out with burgers, all 25 varieties! I was seriously tempted for the "Eric Burger," as it bears my name, but I just had to go with the "Noel Burger," as today, I had a "monster" appetite. The "25 Sandwiches" page - and more sandwiches - of the "Lunch" menu offers a wide array of both cold and hot sandwiches. True "comfort" food served in California's "Gold Country!" From the "25 Sandwiches" section of the "Lunch" menu, my "foodie" friend Adrienne ordered a "Patty Melt" sandwich, along with an order of crinkle-fries, which accompany every hot sandwich on the menu. The menu describes this awesome selection as "One third (pound) beef patty, grilled red onions, Swiss cheese, on grilled sourdough bread." Adrienne ordered a complimentary side of both "Ranch" and "Thousand Island" dressing to accompany her sandwich. My friend absolutely loved her sandwich! The one-third pound patty of ground beef was cooked perfectly to medium, and topped with both Cheddar and Swiss cheese, sliced red onion, and garnished with butter and a little garlic. I enjoyed a bite of her sandwich, and I can attest that this sandwich was simply delicious and amazing! From the "Lunch" Section of the menu - which is only offered from noon until closing time at 2:00, I ordered the "Noel Burger." Our hostess, Amber, reminded me the name of the burger was correctly pronounced as the "Knoll Burger," rather than then "no-ell." It's her choice, and it's Cook's Station! This burger is curly a "Monster Burger," as it includes one pound of ground beef, four slices of bacon, and six slices of cheese. The menu advertises this as the "Noel Burger," or "Monster Burger," as described on the menu, and any way you look at it, it's a GIANT BURGER! If you're hungry, and if you're in he mood for a burger, the "Noel Burger" should be your choice! The three 1/3 ground beef patties arrived cooked medium, which is the "default," but the meat could be cooked any way you choose to order. In addition to the ground beef, this burner sports four slices of bacon, with three slices of Cheddar cheese and three slices of Swiss cheese. Vegetables included several leaves or Romaine lettuce, thick sliced red onion, tomato slices and dill pickle hamburger chips. The toasted buns were lightly buttered. The burger didn't come with any mustard, mayonnaise or ketchup, but there were plenty of containers of condiments should you choose to apply them to your burger. This burger was simply delicious and didn't need any condiments to enhance the goodness of it. All one pound of it! Along with the burger, my lunch included a generous portion of crinkle-cut fries, which made for a perfect side dish to compliment this amazing burger. The fries were deep fried to a light golden brown on the outside, and tender, white and chewy on the inside. Simply perfect fries! This is a "behemoth" of a hamburger, along with the fries, but if you've got a serious appetite, and if you're in the mood for a seriously-delicious burger, the "Noel Burger" served at Cook's Station should be on your "burger list." As an aside, our charming hostess, Amber, not only served us, but she also cooked our lunch, and delivered it to our table in only about 20 minutes after we placed our order. Quite an accomplishment! Amber has talent as a chef and is truly a "people person." As I posted in my previous review, this is, in my humble opinion, "5 Star" dining any way you look at it. The food is amazing, the staff is super friendly and the atmosphere is rustic and cozy. What isn't there to love about Cook's Station? read more

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If you are driving up over Hwy 88 just outside of Pioneer, CA you will find the best roadside cafe to stop and grab some grub! Cook's Station had been around since the 1800s and this awesome little cafe serves some of the best food! Be it breakfast or lunch the ladies here always provide great service and awesome food. My family has been stopping in here all my life. We spent a lot of time camping down in PiPi Valley and would drive up the hill to get a great breakfast burrito or juicy burger when we were tired of making our own food. Now I make sure to stop in anytime we are passing through... usually on our way to Lake Tahoe. This time I got the Snookie Special, a BLT on sourdough with crinkle cut fries. Lots of bacon, fresh lettuce and tomato with perfectly toasted sourdough bread. I am a sucker for old school crinkle cut fries. In my opinion they are the best fry out there...maybe it has to do with memories of elementary school lunches?? I don't know but they are perfect. The menu here is huge and it's all homemade. This is a family operation and if you are looking for fast food...we'll keep driving and good luck. If it's busy it may take a couple minutes but just sit back enjoy the old original building, sip a cup of coffee and relax. Read the origins of the place on the front of the menu and you will hopefully start to appreciate the history around you!! Always a pleasure stopping by... read more

Beautiful location, huge menu with so many options, food is fresh, served hot, friendly staff, small grocery area and delicious biscuits and gravy. Breakfast and lunch served only. read more

Quint and cute place good food and service love the big pancakes always busy but still take care of you

No trip to Carson Pass is complete without stopping at Cooks Station. The menu is extensive and the food has always been great at reasonable prices. The restaurant has always been busy but there is a store here too! If you need anything while camping you can find it at Cooks Station. read more

Location description: Stopped in for lunch on our travels on 88, based on reviews and the history of this location. It was a stage stop with an attached brothel and was a stopping point for cattle drives. Interesting place as soon as we walked in. A restaurant/convenient stores/bar rolled into one. Loved that hey had a wood stove burning. The restroom is outside. The menu has a neat history including info about the ghosts that frequent the Station! Food: I ordered the Elvis special-fried banana and PB sandwich with fries. Husband ordered John burger, double burger with double bacon with double cheese and fries. He said the burger was juicy with good flavor, however it was very large and somewhat unwieldy. Fries were crinkle and super tasty. Ranch is a little on the think side, not my favorite kind of ranch, but yummy mixed with ketchup. Burger came with ketchup, as an FYI (husband doesn't like ketchup on burgers, would've asked for none had he known it came with). The Elvis special was yummy. I've never had a friend PB & banana, I think I would like it better non-fried, but it was delicious in a different, new way. I'm glad I tried it. Service: The waitress was super attentive and very friendly. Kept my coffee and water filled. This is obviously a haunt for locals. Folks would periodically come in and she knew them all by name, a definite bonus. read more

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Yummy. This place has great food and awesome service. Go to Cooks and have a burger. Epic.

This place is is bizarre man. I've been twice and had the weirdest experience. Both times the place was completely empty and the two employees were behind the bar doing nothing. They first acted like me just being there was inconveniencing them. Then, after scanning through the massive menu, mostly breakfast items, they said they weren't serving breakfast anymore. It was 11am. I don't know how they stay in business when they close at 2pm and they won't make you something like an egg past 11am when the entire place is empty, they aren't making food for anyone else, and most of the menu is breakfast items. It was a head scratcher. read more

Looking for a bite on our way across 88 to Nevada. Decided to try this little hole-in-the-wall and boy was it worth it! Definitely not a place you can rush at. Everything is made fresh by the owners and their kids. The wait for a freshly cooked Hawaiian Burger was totally worth getting a hot burger with melty cheese, crispy bacon, toasted bun, and fresh lettuce. The fries were hot and crispy too! Hubby tried the double burger. It was massive! I wish this place was by our house in Utah because we'd eat their all the time! We overhead Jack, the owner, say he's got 183 menu items and over 70 beers. read more

Cook's Station - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Pioneer, California

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Great place to go for breakfast feels like home great biscuits and gravy just like grandma used to make

Hugh menu. Friendly service. Shady spot since 1863 in the tall pines. No draft beer but a large cooler selection. Indoor and outdoor tables. read more

Indoor dining only with most of the customers wearing masks- not all. NONE of the employees had masks on. Saw one bottle of hand sanitizer. Fries were very bad- not tasty. Burger was also bad as well as burnt (ew) and just messy and thrown toghether. Don't recommend this place, it's not following COVID guidelines at all- and the food is not even good. Hard pass on this place. read more

Great food, good service, fantastic value, NO MASKS! It was January 17, 2021. How does an entire restaurant staff go without masks, inside and out. I wish I could just write a good review for this place. They were nice. But if you're traveling and considering a stop, you should know the COVID protocols. read more

If you hate delicious food, large portions, extremely affordable food, and great service then don't come here. If you're not a crazy person and LOVE all the things I mentioned, come here NOW! Such a cool and wonderful place to eat. Definitely a place you come to more than once!! Like twice in one day! read more

My fave spot to stop after leaving Kirkwood! Food is always delish, service is awesome, and prices are fantastic. Also, easy to access from both driving directions. read more