Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [452]
White Wolf Lodge
White Wolf, Calif. 120. ☎ 209/372-8416. Reservations required for dinner. Breakfast $3.85–$6.95; dinner $7–$17. DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 7:30–9:30am and 5–8:30pm. AMERICAN.
The changing menu at this casual restaurant with a mountain-lodge atmosphere offers a variety of American standards, served in generous portions. Breakfast choices include eggs, pancakes, omelets, and biscuits and gravy. Dinner always includes beef, chicken, fish, pasta, and vegetarian dishes. Take-out lunches are available from noon to 2pm.
NEAR THE PARK
In addition to the following restaurants, you'll find a branch of the reliable Pizza Factory chain in Mariposa at Calif. 140 and 5th Street (☎ 209/966-3112). It offers delivery to downtown Mariposa.
Cafe at the Bug
At the Yosemite Bug, 6979 Calif. 140, Midpines. ☎ 209/966-6666. Fax 209/966-9667. www.yosemitebug.com. Breakfast and lunch items $4–$6, dinner main courses $7–$13. DISC, MC, V. Daily 7am–9pm. AMERICAN.
Ask the locals for their favorite secret place to get a great meal at a very reasonable price, and if they'll tell you, it will likely be this bustling eatery. It's a noisy, busy, somewhat self-service restaurant at the Yosemite Bug, a hostel, lodge, and campground 10 miles from Mariposa on the way to Yosemite National Park. The casual restaurant consists of several rooms with knotty-pine walls, hardwood floors, wooden chairs, Formica tables, and an open-beamed ceiling that features suspended skis and a kayak. There's a wood stove, some games, and couches where lodgers lounge. You order at a counter, and the staff delivers your food to your table.
The food is great: innovative American dishes with Mediterranean and California influences. Although the dinner menu changes nightly, popular entrees include top sirloin and chicken breast with orange salsa. You also might have a trout filet with lime butter, or stuffed portobello mushrooms. (There is at least one vegetarian and one vegan option at every meal.) Breakfasts range from bacon and eggs to buckwheat pancakes to granola. A variety of sandwiches prepared as sack lunches are available from 7am to 3pm for those heading out into the park.
Castillo's Mexican Food
4995 5th St., Mariposa. ☎ 209/742-4413. Reservations recommended in summer. Main courses $5.95–$11 lunch; $7.95–$15 dinner. AE, DISC, MC, V. Mon–Thurs 11am–9pm; Fri–Sat 11am–9:30pm. Closes 1 hr. earlier in winter. MEXICAN.
Established in 1955, this cheerful, cozy cantina serves generous portions of well-prepared Mexican favorites. Entrees come with salad, rice, and beans, and can also be ordered a la carte. A house specialty, the tostada compuesta, fills a hungry belly with your choice of meat plus beans, lettuce, and cheese, stuffed into a bowl-shaped crisp flour tortilla and topped with avocado dip and sour cream. A variety of Mexican combo plates are available. You can also choose several steak specialties or seafood dishes, such as jumbo shrimp fajitas, served in a sizzling skillet with onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes. For those who like their hot food with extra fire, there's camarones a la diabla— shrimp sautéed in butter, garlic, and crushed red chile peppers. The outdoor seating in a garden area is delightful.
Charles Street Dinner House
5043 Calif. 140, Mariposa. ☎ 209/966-2366. Reservations recommended. Main courses $12–$41. AE, DISC, MC, V. Tues–Sun 5–9pm; Sun brunch 9am–2pm. AMERICAN.
Locally famous for its charbroiled steaks (marinated and herb-crusted filet mignon and New York steak, 10 oz. each), the Charles Street Dinner House has been the locals' choice for fresh seafood and a variety of other specialties for more than 25 years. We especially recommend broiled New Zealand rack of lamb with mint glaze, and broiled Peking breast of duck, served with orange sauce. Or try the scallone— abalone and scallops sautéed with lemon butter and toasted almonds. The restaurant is in