Close your eyes and imagine this: You're sitting inside a cabin-like space surrounded by plenty of TVs and some nice welcoming decor. At your wooden table is a large plate of gourmet salad and a gigantic glass of lemonade. You dig into your scrumptious meal and wonder, "Does this amazing restaurant actually exist?"
If I told you that everything I just described could be found in one place high atop the Sierras, would you believe me? Before you answer, open your eyes and keep reading!
So a few weeks ago, my friends and I spent a couple days exploring the depths and peaks of the Sierra Nevada. During our first night, we wanted to grab a really decent sit-down meal that was more than just fast food or diner food. Thanks to Yelp we came across the EATery, a new casual "eatery" in the lively town of Mammoth Lakes.
The really interesting thing we quickly learned about EATery was that it operated inside a beer garden by the name of Mammoth Brewing Co. Basically, EATery provided dining options for people who wanted more than just alcohol. In terms of the menu, there really weren't that many options. EATery kept it real small by only offering probably ~20 different dishes. Fortunately, some choices were vegetarian so that's a plus for all y'all healthy nuts. Prices for this place were also fairly affordable. One could argue that $14 for a salad or even $2 to add an egg to your order might sound expensive. But after you've had a chance to try their food I guarantee that you'd change your mind.
I ended up staying clean and got the Polenta and Burrata Salad with an egg and a glass of their lemonade. Here's what I thought of the whole EGGperience:
-- LARGE PORTIONS, GOURMET FOOD --
SO GOOD! Coming in, I had decent expectations about the quality of the food at EATery. I mean, reviews looked great and all but I didn't expect it to be as worthwhile as it turned out to be.
Polenta and Burrata Salad (10/10): I usually avoid ordering salads at restaurants from fear that they'll end up being overpriced and lackluster, but not this time. I was definitely glad to have ordered the Polenta and Burrata Salad because DAMN...hella delicious. The cheese added a nice touch, the crispy polenta provided some warmth to the salad, the greens were very fresh, and I loved the giant pieces of mushroom! Plus it all came together with a tangy truffle sauce that wasn't overwhelming at all! My favorite part had to be that $2 egg. It was MASSIVE, cooked perfectly, and drizzling with yolk.
Lemonade (10/10): If you decide to come here you HAVE to get their lemonade. For $3, I got a HUGE glass filled with sweet and sour goodness. Not gonna lie, it was enough for two people.
-- DAZZLING ATMOSPHERE --
As I've described above, EATery had an atmosphere you'd come to expect in a log cabin. It's very open, there's wood everywhere, and setting just felt so welcoming. I definitely loved that there were TVs everywhere playing sports! Great place for a casual meal.
-- DARN GOOD SERVICE --
One of the best parts about EATery wasn't the food, but actually the service. Specifically, I LOVED our cashier. He was very friendly and courteous, spending almost 5-10 minutes talking to us about where we should go around the area. I would probably come back just for him!
EATery was located at the heart of Mammoth Lakes, right along Main Street. Getting here was really easy for us since it's a straight, 4 mile drive from U.S. Highway 395. Furthermore, parking was a breeze since the lot's pretty big! If you have trouble finding this place, just remember that it's right inside the brewery!
Overall, I would definitely recommend The EATery to anyone who is traveling to or around the Sierra Nevada region. The food here is amazing, prices are good, service is perfect, and the atmosphere is exactly what you'd want. Plus, I'm sure the drinks here are great too. I give it an "Omg, I'd travel 2 hours for this" rating.
Eat well and prosper, read more