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Old town Auburn, CA is a typical Sierra Nevada foothill "Gold-Rush-era" downtown, as it's located in a steep, narrow canyon, which makes for a very picturesque setting. Exploring, shopping or just simply enjoying life, old town Auburn will keep you going for a long time. Shopping is hungry work, but there are no worries, as Edelweiss Restaurant 2 is located inside Gold Rush Plaza, and offers fine dining every day of the week, in historic old town Auburn, CA. As with all of reviews that I publish, I have no affiliation with the restaurant reviewed, and there is no monetary gain on my part, as I am simply a person who likes to eat, and I love to write-up, and publish my dining experiences.
Photo: Edelweiss Restaurant 2 is located in historic old town Auburn, CA, in the "Gold Rush Plaza" building, which dates back to 1907. Today, it's a small indoor mall, and besides the restaurant, there are many small specialty shops that sell local hand-crafted merchandise and offer many hours of interesting browsing. This historic Placer County courthouse, built in 1898, sits on a hill behind the mall, which separates old town from downtown Auburn. The courthouse is still used occasionally as a courthouse, but it's mostly a museum.
Photo: The complete menu of Edelweiss Restaurant 2 is posted on a door at the entrance to the mall, with the door being very stationary, as it never moves. Next to the door there's a whiteboard that lists daily and weekly specials. It's old school and dynamic, and the specials frequently change. As of March 2016, much of old town Auburn has become "Auburn Entertainment Zone" and within the boundaries of the zone, you're allowed to enjoy your favorite adult beverage outside, under certain conditions. That's a great way to supplement outdoor dining on the sidewalk!
Photo: It's around 10:30 in the morning, Friday, March 20, 2026, and I've arrived at Edelweiss Restaurant 2, located in old town Auburn, to enjoy "Fish Sandwich and Fries," which is only served on Fridays. The ever-changing white board, located on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant, lists the day's specials, including today's fish sandwich.
Photo: The rustic dining room was very busy on this Friday morning, with most diners enjoying breakfast. Edelweiss Restaurant 2 is open from 07:00 to 14:00 every day, and both breakfast and lunch are served simultaneously. So if you're in the mood for a burger at 07:00 in the morning, go ahead and order it, as it works with the restaurant.
Photo: Jay, today's talented and friendly chef gives me a thumbs up as swing by the kitchen window to say "good morning." I've been enjoying the fine "Americana" the restaurant offers, and I'm on first-name basis with all of the staff. Most staff members have been with the restaurant for years, as there is very little turnover, unlike most restaurants.
Photo: Meet Anna, who brought my "Bloody Mary" cocktail to me with a smile. Today, Anna was helping Jessica run the dining room, and it seemed she was everywhere all of the time, but even though she was super busy, her duties never stopped her from being the friendly person that she is.
Photo: Since it was late morning on the first day of Spring, 2026, a "Bloody Mary" cocktail seemed like the perfect morning hors d' oeuvres, rather than my usual beer. On the way to Edelweiss Restaurant 2, I had stopped by the nearby California Club to enjoy a beer, and the amazingly friendly atmosphere the bar has to offer. This "Bloody Mary" was truly large, and held the usual mixture of two parts tomato juice to one part of vodka, and was garnished with lemon, celery, stuffed green olive, along with a slice of bacon. It was refreshing, delicious, and the perfect appetizer and the perfect way to get my late morning off to the right start. I rarely indulge in mixed drinks - I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a cocktail - but it was warm, beautiful spring day, and a "Bloody Mary" seemed to be the perfect drink. Yes... it made my morning!
Photo: Meet Jessica M., my friendly server, who actually is the owner of the restaurant, as she brought my "Fish Sandwich and Fries" to me with a smile. Despite the fact the restaurant was very busy, Jessica made time to engage in a bit of chit-chat with me, which is always great. She's a great hostess and a super nice person!
Photo: I'm a happy guy as I toast Jessica, Edelweiss Restaurant 2, and the first day of spring, 2026. Cheers!
Photo: The "Specials" section Edelweiss Restaurant 2's menu is dynamic, and always includes something new and exciting. Beginning this month, only on Fridays, a special of "Fish Sandwich and Fries" is served. Today, Friday, March 20, 2026 seemed like a perfect day to enjoy "Fish Sandwich and Chips." Since it was late morning, a "Bloody Mary" seemed in order for an appetizer. Thank goodness I was riding public transportation! The sandwich began with a large filet - around 6 ounces - of breaded cod, deep fried to golden brown perfection. The fish was placed on a large, fresh, sesame seed hamburger bun, and dressed with tartar sauce, and garnished with lettuce and tomato slices. An extra cup of tartar sauce was on the side, which added a nice touch. Fries... these aren't your mama's fries, as the helping of fries looked like a miniature Mt. Shasta! Lots of fries to enjoy! The fries were regular size fries, deep fried to a medium golden brown, crispy on the outside and tender white inside. These fries are truly "old school" diner fries, which worked perfectly with the fish sandwich and with my taste buds. One bite into the sandwich, I was rewarded with a fish sandwich serendipity. I tasted the perfectly deep fried fish, the crisp vegetables, the smooth, soothing tartar sauce, all enclosed within the fresh hamburger bun... the combination with out-of-this-world delicious! The sandwich featured the perfect balance of fish vs. veggies, and the tartar sauce held it all together. I might add the tartar sauce isn't the kind that comes out of a plastic jar... this tartar sauce was REAL! Like an amazing burger, the fish and bun were warm, and the lettuce and tomato were chilled, That's one of the trademarks of a top-shelf burger, and those credentials can be applied to this delicious fish sandwich. The fries were perfectly deep fried to a golden brown, delicious in every way, and reminded me of the kind of fries I enjoyed as a kid, in 1960's era diners. "Fish Sandwich and Fries" is truly a delicious addition to the "specials," and it gives Friday a whole new delicious meaning.
Photo: I cut the fish sandwich in half so I could see all of the layers of goodness, including the large, breaded fish patty. The cup of tartar sauce on the side was a nice touch, as I happen to LOVE tartar sauce, so I took the knife and added extra tartar sauce to the sandwich. The fish sandwich was delicious, and the "Bloody Mary" was a top shelf drink. Fridays mean "Fish Sandwich and Fries" and Edelweiss Restaurant 2, and will give you something to look forward to at the end of your work week. Delicious "Fish Sandwich and Fries," enjoyed every Friday at Edelweiss Restaurant 2, located in historic old town Auburn, CA. Let's go back three days to Tuesday, March 17, 2026, and enjoy a lunch of "Steve's Famous Corned Beef and Cabbage."
Photo: It's Tuesday, March 17, 2026, and today was the day for me to enjoy "Steve's Famous Corned Beef and Cabbage." What a treat! This add was posted on the restaurant's social media page. I'm "friends" with them, so I never miss out on their frequent specials. It's 11:00 in the morning the time that corned beef was ready to serve, and I'd came from around the block, after enjoying an amazing excursion at nearby The California Club.
Photo: The "Special Board" posted outside the restaurant facing Sacramento Street. Note that it lists "Corn Beef and Cabbage" which was a one-day special for St. Patrick's Day.
Photo: Owner Jessica takes a break and chats with her hubby, as Ashley puts the final touch on to-go orders. This was a rare break in the action, as the dining room is almost always very busy.
Photo: The dining room looks out to Sacramento Street, and you can people watch, and admire the action of old town Auburn as you enjoy your delicious meal. The dusty red building across the street is Auburn Alehouse, which produces some of best craft beer in Placer Country, along with delicious pub cuisine.
Photo: Chef Steve looks over the kitchen window, as Chef Jay works the stove. Chef Steve founded the restaurant back in 1986, and ran it until retiring last year. He sold the business to his daughter, Jessica, who now owns the business. Steve shows up to the restaurant a couple days a week to help out, and to give the kitchen staff a break, since the restaurant is open seven days a week. When you see him, be sure to say "hello" to Steve, as he's a cheerful and friendly guy.
Photo: Meet Ashley, today's amazingly friendly server, who brought my lunch to me with a smile. I've known her for something like three years, and she always treats me like a rock star, and a member of her family. Today she's green, and sports the "luck of the Irish."
Photo: I raise my glass of Heineken beer, and toast Jessica, Edelweiss Restaurant 2, and wish the "luck of the Irish" upon all that's good, on the St. Patrick's day, 2026. Owner Jessica stands in the background, taking phone orders and arranging to-go boxes.
Photo: To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, the restaurant prepared a once-in-a-year special lunch of "Steve's Famous Corned Beef and Cabbage," which is only served on this special day. Juicy corned beef, cabbage, baked potato, carrots, Irish potato bread, and a small cookie for dessert. A cup of spicy mustard was on the side for perfect dipping. I went with a Heineken beer on the side as my hors d'oeuvres... or was it my dessert? Steve, the founder of the restaurant, and is the father of owner Jessica, comes out of his well-deserved retirement a couple days a week to work in the kitchen, and perform his magic, along with chefs Jay and Roberto. Today marked another of his creative milestones: "Steve's Famous Corned Beef and Cabbage." This delicious lunch began with juicy, tender corned beef, slow-cooked to fork-tender perfection, thanks to the talent and guidance of Chef Steve, thinly sliced, and placed on a bed of tender, buttery cabbage to make for a dramatic presentation. The large helping of corned beef - at least a half pound - was slow cooked, flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth tender, which rendered the knife to simply a piece of window dressing. Tenderness is a great thing but flavor? ... it was all there as Steve's corned beef was flavorful and delicious. No wonder this fine dish is known to "foodies" as "Steve's Famous Corned Beef." Both the cabbage and the baby carrots were cooked in butter, and you could taste the goodness in it. The baked potato on the side was perfectly baked, tender, just the right texture, and split open to add butter. Perfect! The plate on the side included a thick slice of Irish potato bread, a couple pats of soft butter, a small sugar cookie. Today was my first time in my life to sample a slice of Irish potato bread, as it was quite thick in texture, sweet, chewy and simply delicious. The little crunchy things inside added interest, taste and a bit of a "crunch" every couple of bites. I began this amazing feast by cutting the fork-tender corned beef into manageable pieces, and dipping each piece into the cup of spicy mustard. Between the tender, juicy corned beef and the zesty, spicy mustard, this was a taste sensation, which made for some of the best corned beef dipping west of Dublin. I alternated between the corned beef, the buttery cabbage and carrots, along with a bite now and then from the baked potato. I noted the baked potato was so standalone delicious that I didn't even butter it, as I saved the butter for the slice of bread. Of course if I asked, Ashley would have been more than happy to bring me all of the butter I wanted. I did ask for a second cup of spicy mustard, as I'm a huge fan of dipping. What a delicious meal! This was a once-in-a-year treat, prepared by talented Chef Steve, along with chefs Roberto and Jay, and is truly a meal that you don't want to miss!
Photo: One bite of "Steve's Famous Corned Beef," fork-tender, slow-cooked, juicy and simply delicious! This was a St. Patrick's day treat, and truly made my day complete! Edelweiss Restaurant 2 serves amazing "Americana" diner cuisine, for breakfast and lunch, every day of the week. Cuisine is delicious, and owner Jessica and her staff are as friendly as it gets. Oh... did I mention that prime rib for breakfast happens on the first Saturday of every month? Dining in historic old town Auburn is always a great adventure, and Edelweiss Restaurant 2 has your breakfast and lunch dining covered, every day of the week. Edelweiss Restaurant 2, located in historic, old town Auburn, CA. Edelweiss Restaurant 2 Copyright(c) 2026 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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