The Pub at Donner Lake — Restaurant in Truckee

Upon stumbling upon the Donner pub in Truckee, our weary party of six found solace in its welcoming doors. Quickly seated amidst the charming ambiance of what appeared to be a newly renovated establishment, our hopes were high for a much-needed respite from our arduous journey.

The menu boasted a diverse selection of food and drinks, sparking excitement among our famished group. However, our enthusiasm quickly waned as the dishes arrived, revealing the true nature of our predicament.

The fish, was less than fresh... A brave soul amongst us dared to sample a single bite, only to be met with unpleasant experience, that it remained untouched thereafter.

The chicken, served in hues of gray and pink, bore an uncanny resemblance to the unfortunate souls lost along our tumultuous path. It was a haunting reminder of our mortality, served upon our plates.

As for the Caesar salad, its "homemade dressing" boasted the inclusion of whole grain mustard, a curious addition indeed. A departure from traditional Caesar flavor if that is something you expect when taking your first bite.

The brisket sandwich, intended to offer succor to our weary bodies, proved to be dry and tough, more suitable for travelling through the pass on a snowy day.

Yet amidst our culinary tribulations, there was a glimmer of hope in the form of the French fries. Curled chips of potato, they were a delightful surprise, offering a brief respite from our disappointment.

In a commendable display of hospitality, the staff noticed our uneaten fish and promptly removed it from our bill, a gesture that did not go unnoticed by our grateful party. Despite our culinary misfortunes, we departed the Donner pub with gratitude for the kindness of its staff...

Maybe the food is good here. I don’t know because I never got mine. I walked up to the entrance and there was a big sign that said “wait here to be seated”. I stood there for a few minutes until it became clear no one was coming outside, so I went inside and waited at another sign that said wait to be seated. A guy (who turned out to be the owner) was standing right there having a conversation with the nearest table. He looked at me and then went back to having his conversation. After a few minutes he turned to me and asked if I’d like to sit. I said yes, it’s just me. He said “you could sit at the bar, you’ll get served faster”. The place is tiny, with maybe 8 tables total, so I thought that was kind of a weird comment. I said sure and took a seat at the bar.

There were 2 bartenders and it took at least 5 minutes for either of them to acknowledge my existence despite my attempts to make eye contact. One of them finally did and took my order (a beer and burger). He poured me a beer and didn’t offer water. He then apparently finished his shift and left. I waited for my food for at least half an hour before trying to decide if I should ask someone to check on my food, since no one ever even looked at me after I ordered. Then I looked into the kitchen and saw one of the cooks on his phone and decided to just leave. I left cash for the beer, which was $9, and...

This place was a real treat. It is a popular spot amongst the locals, so it can get a little busy and a little loud but that is the worst thing I can say about this place. The servers were friendly and attentive. The prices were reasonable, especially considering the HUGE portion sizes. My partner and I each got a sandwich from the menu and decided against getting any appetizers, which thank goodness we did! Those two sandwiches could have fed 3 or 4 people! I got the steak dip which was umami heaven and my partner got the pomegranate chicken sandwich which was flavorful, juicy, and a little bit different (in the best possible way).

We ended up coming back the next day and getting just a couple appetizers for lunch. These were also huge and delicious. The pretzel bites were piping hot, soft and pillowy things of beauty, especially dipped in the beer cheese sauce. And the prawns were massive, perfectly cooked and crunchy.

Their beer and cocktail selection won't blow your mind, but they got a bit of everything and you are...