2020 Best EATS!

What a whacky year. Hopefully COVID-19 didn’t touch you, your family or friends in 2020 — and won’t in 2021. The pandemic certainly caused all kinds of changes to everyone’s “normal,” and when you live on the road as we do, “normal” is already mostly off-kilter from everyone else’s “normal.”

We visited many of the same places as last year, but because we had to order to-go rather than eat-in we ordered some different things and tried some different restaurants. Hard to eat our favorite Ham and Eggs O’Brian breakfast from Brownie’s Cafe in Yuma when you have to eat it from Styrofoam teetering on your lap in the crowded front seat of a Jeep, right?

Sadly, we lost a few favorite places. T+D’s Restaurant in Baker, Nevada, closed when the owners decided it was time to retire. Katy’s Korner in Cloverdale, Oregon, has been replaced by Antonette’s Kitchen South. We’ll miss both! And the Bulldog Diner in Rufus, Oregon, was closed when we stopped — whether it’s permanent or not, it did lead to our finding a new place down the road.

It’s sad for the restauranteurs, who have had a very difficult year, but the upside for us was discovering new eateries. In some cases, we tried the usual spots and weren’t as impressed, so ventured out. We were thrilled to have the Pie Hut in Sandpoint, Idaho, recommended to us — it comes into the Best list with THREE entries! You’ll see a few other new names in this year’s list… I’ll let you find them 🙂

So whet your appetite, forget about your woes, and join us as we present the 2020 Bob and Ellen’s BEST EATS Awards!

BEST BREAKFAST

1. Ham and Eggs O’Brian at Brownie’s Cafe in Yuma, AZ
2. Sirloin Steak and Eggs at Bob’s Texas TBone Restaurant in Rufus, OR

Bob’s Texas TBone Restaurant, Rufus, Oregon

3. Steak and Eggs at Shari’s in Meridian, ID

Shari’s Restaurant, Meridian, Idaho

BEST BREAKFAST BURRITO
Goldsboro’s Bakery, Yuma, AZ

BEST CORNED BEEF HASH
Brownie’s Cafe, Yuma, AZ

BEST SOUPS

Chicken Tortilla Soup at Jimmie K’s Diner in Yuma, AZ

Taco Soup at Minnie’s Montana Cafe in Thompson Falls, MT

Stuffed Green Pepper Soup at Pie Hut in Sandpoint, ID

Pie Hut, Sandpoint, Idaho

BEST DRINK [Nope, no alcohol here!]

Strawberry Lemonade at The Smokehouse in LaGrande, OR

Smokehouse Restaurant, LaGrande, Oregon

BEST APPETIZERS

Steamer Clams at Hook, Line & Sinker in Garibaldi, OR

Hook, Line & Sinker, Garibaldi, Oregon

Fried Ravioli at Nicco’s in Pahrump, NV

Cheesey Garlic Bread at Bit of Italy in Nampa, ID

Bit of Italy, Nampa, Idaho

BEST SALADS

Best Side Salad

1. Bit of Italy, Nampa, ID

Bit of Italy, Nampa, Idaho

Best Spinach Salad

1. Shari’s Restaurant, Nampa, ID

Shari’s Restaurant, Nampa, Idaho

BEST PIZZA

1. Ronnie’s in Yuma, AZ
2. Moose’s Tavern in Kalispell, MT

Moose’s Tavern, Kalispell, Montana

BEST SANDWICHES

Best Burger
International Cafe, Austin, NV

Best Reuben

1. Buffalo Cafe in Whitefish, MT

Buffalo Cafe, Whitefish, Montana

2. Chalkboard Cafe in Wallace, ID

Chalkboard Cafe, Wallace, Idaho

Best Panini
Heather’s Special at Pie Hut in Sandpoint, ID

Pie Hut, Sandpoint, Idaho

BEST SEAFOOD

Halibut and Chips at Sea Baron Food Trailer in Garibaldi, OR

Sea Baron, Garibaldi, Oregon

BBQ Grilled Oysters on the Half Shell at River View Dining in South Bend, WA

River View, South Bend, Washington

BEST DINNERS

Best Fajitas
Jalapenos in Nampa, ID

Jalapenos, Nampa, Idaho

Best Comfort Food (Tie)

1. Scalloped Potatoes and Ham at Minnie’s Montana in Thompson Falls, MT (Bob)

Minnie’s Montana Scalloped Potatoes

1. Chicken Pot Pie at Montana Minnie’s in Thompson Falls, MT (Ellen)

Minnie’s Montana Chicken Pot Pie

BEST ITALIAN DINNERS

Best Spaghetti
Bit of Italy, Nampa, ID

Spaghetti at Bit of Italy, Nampa, Idaho

Best Lasagna
Nicco’s in Pahrump, NV

Best Pasta
Maryland Blue Crab Ravioli with Housemade Pesto at Bit of Italy, Nampa, ID

Maryland Blue Crab Ravioli with House Made Pesto at Bit of Italy, Nampa, Idaho

BEST DESSERTS

Best Tiramisu
Bit of Italy, Nampa, ID

Tiramisu at Bit of Italy, Nampa, Idaho

Best Fruit Pie
Marionberry Pie at Alice’s Country House Restaurant, Tillamook

Alice’s Country Restaurant, Tillamook, Oregon

Best Cream Pie

1. [Tie] Chocolate Cream Pie at Pie Hut in Sandpoint, ID

Chocolate Cream Pie at Pie Hut in Sandpoint, Idaho

and at The Smokehouse in LaGrande, OR

2. Peanut Butter Pie at Hook, Line & Sinker in Garibaldi, OR

Best Chocolate Cake
Chocolate-Blueberry Cake at Alice’s Country House Restaurant, Tillamook, OR

Chocolate Blueberry Cake at Alice’s Country Restaurant in Tillamook, Oregon

Best Hot Fudge Sundae
Hought’s 24 Flavors, LaGrande, OR

Hought’s 24 Flavors, LaGrande, Oregon

NOT THE BEST BUT WORTH MENTIONING
Alligator Bites at Icons Grill in Yuma, AZ: You don’t get many changes to eat alligator, especially out west. This was tasty and worth trying, but other than that it wasn’t anything special.

Icons, Yuma, Arizona

Yep. It’s a much shorter list this year, with our very best meals coming out of our own kitchen, thanks to Chef Bob 😉

Pan-Seared Netarts Bay Oysters (from JAndy Oysters) with Cheesy Broccoli and Corn on the Cob

Ham and Eggs with Potatoes and Toast

Garden Salad with Shrimp and Mussels

What about you? What kinds of great (or not so great) experiences have you had with road food this past year?