Log Cabin Ice Cream & Coffee — Restaurant in Incline Village-Crystal Bay

My hubby & I are here in Tahoe for our 3rd honeymoon after we originally honemooned at Olympic Village Inn @ Squaw Valley 30 years ago - we're re-visiting all our fave spots and discovering new ones, too -- this was a newbie for us/ I honestly don't know how we missed it during all our trips up here over the years? I have nothing but great things to say about this homey, log cabin-style restaurant! I admit I was a little leary when the sign out front read "voted best breakfast". We had recently been to a place in TX which had a "best pizza in town" sign out front and it was hands down the worst I'd ever had! Eek! Yet, here in this quaint spot, I literally cried happy tears when the sweet waitress brought out the gluten-free pancake I ordered (shaped w/ a leafy-edge even, as pictured here!) and I took my first bite! :) I have never cried over food, yet everything we ate here was amazing -- real, fresh food - and I was so happy to have a GF pancake option! (I'm GF by choice for the sake of my thyroid, possibly dealing w/ Hashimoto's, just got tested, but have been GF by choice for 5 years!). I have NEVER found a place which offers GF pancakes, so I was already a little impressed, but expecting something pretty tasteless, but boy was I in for a treat! The GF pancake was topped with REAL whipped butter and pure maple syrup on the side. They also had GF french toast on the menu, another new option I've never found in a restaurant. If I could have handled it, along with the GF smoked salmon benedict (also delish!) and GF pancake, I would have ordered it, too - almost did, just because the GF pancake was so good - ha! :) My hubby, who is not GF, took a bite of the pancake and was pleasantly surprised as well! He ordered a chai latte and said it was the BEST of the best! He also thoroughly enjoyed his biscuits and gravy, again saying they were amazing! The service was super! The place was charming, decorated with homemade table runners on all the walls -- FYI -- you can purchase these, too. It's a real cabin-home converted quite nicely to a restaurant, cafe-style. I think the owners live in the back of it as when we went upstairs to wait (in the comfy "bedroom lounge" lined w/ leather couches all around), there was a sign saying "private residence" on the door at the top of the stairs. The only thing I could say which is questionable about the place is I don't know if there is a bathroom on the bottom floor and I don't know if there is handicap access to upstairs, where there is a bathroom? This is not an issue for me personally, but if I was dealing with any physical mobility challenge, I would ask about it before coming. My husband and I were so impressed we spoke w/ the owner/wife -- so charming and kind -- before leaving. She said her hubby had been at it 35 years, she for 34 (she met him there!) & all the recipes are his own. We said, well, they got it down! They're getting ready to take a break for winter (this is Fall 2018), so get over there quick if you are looking for the BEST BREAKFAST -- truly yummy -- in the north Tahoe area! This is a true gem we almost passed up, yet are so...

As a local, I have had enough mediocre experiences over the last 12 years at the log cabin to never (voluntarily) go there again. I recently was given a $25 gift certificate so I figured I'd go for a free breakfast. I tried to give my gift certificate to my neighbor and he didn't want it.

We went early and beat the rush. I don't understand why this place is so busy or highly rated. I don't know ANY locals who go there. The decor is cozy, but it is always loud and cramped. The bulk of the noise was coming from the (open) kitchen where the staff was talking unnecessarily loud. The menu has lot of variety and the portions are large, but the quality is on par with Denny's or a casino, but more expensive. The hollandaise sauce was thin, greasy and flavorless. The coffee was strong, but poor quality. It was only drinkable with lots of cream and sugar to mask the bitterness. Food came quick but coffee or water refills were not offered, and had to be requested. Their only redeeming quality was that the to go container was made from recycled paper, not Styrofoam. A good eco-gesture, but doesn't make up for their unpaved, muddy parking lot so close to the lake.

Unfortunately there simply aren't any options for a good breakfast in Kings Beach. Hopefully this will...

Ice cream and gelato spot with outdoor dining area. It’s located behind a building (you’ll notice the line up people along the ramp if you’re there after dinner). Street parking is available and there was a small lot with limited parking. Credit cards are accepted. There are two mixed-use bathrooms available (and they have a rosemary mint soap!).

There were only two employees working so the line did move a bit slowly, but to their credit, they were still friendly and were doing their best. We got a one scoop hot fudge sundae that came whipped cream, chopped peanuts, and a cherry. We opted for strawberry ice cream, which was icy. However, they gave us a generous portion of hot fudge, which made me happy. The outdoor area is cute and there are tables available for big groups. They also have smoothies, gelato, and milkshakes available. Overall, it’s a homey spot to...