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Hangry Howie's is small, family owned and operated restaurant that serves delicious breakfast and lunch, Wednesday through Sunday from 07:00 in the morning until 05:00 in the after noon. It's a charming, rustic operation co-located under the same roof as the Alta General Store, located in the rural Placer County mountain town of Alta, 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: It's a little past 3 O'clock in the afternoon, Saturday, April 04, 2026, and I've pulled up to Hangry Howie's to enjoy a burger, with their signature cheese skirt. Hangry Howie's is located in the small town of Alta, CA off Interstate 80, around the halfway point between Sacramento and Reno. It's a great place to enjoy take a break from the Interstate, and enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch in their rustic dining room, or on their comfortable, shaded front porch, that offers a gorgeous view of the beautiful mountain scenery. I brought my appetite with me, as I'd spent all day enjoying Union Pacific mainline railroad action, which can be seen from the patio. It's the Roseville Subdivision which heads over famed Donner Pass, and you'll be treated to quite a few trains each day. Here's a link to photos I took of railroad action today...
Photo: An old school blackboard is located near the entrance with the daily specials and newly added items. "Chicken Fried Steak" has recently been added to the menu, as Chef Howie loves a challenge and is always tinkering with the menu.
Photo: Hangry Howies main dining room is very simple, rustic and comfortable. The restaurant is owned and operated by Howard and Angela Sellers, who are transplants from nearby Reno, along with their charming daughter Jessica. You place your order from the counter from the small, printed menu. You can take a menu home with you for future reference should you want to call ahead and order to-go. After you place your order, you can sit anywhere you want to, and your order will be brought to you by one of the friendly staff. Hangry Howie's is a "sit down" restaurant, so you pay for your order when you're finished. Don't forget to reward the friendly and efficient staff with a generous tip!
Photo: The small town of Alta is located at the 3800 foot-level in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and winter sees moderate snow and chilly temperatures, so the stove comes in very handy. On this beautiful 70-degree spring afternoon, the stove wasn't needed!
Photo: One page of the lunch menu offers the restaurant's selection of burgers. Note the wide selection of sides that come with your burger, with only "Onion Rings" and "Tator Tots" priced a little extra.
Photo: Meet Jessica, who gives me a friendly smile as she brings lunch to another party, dining outside on the front porch.
Photo: Angela chats with Chef Howie in the kitchen, as the talented chef creates my amazing burger.
Photo: The front porch is rustic, charming and offers a view of the beautiful mountain scenery. If you look in the background, you can see the railroad tracks and the railroad crossing, which makes Hangry Howie's a great place for train watching while you enjoy a delicious meal.
Photo: Meet Chef Howie, who brought my delicious burger and tots to me with a smile. This gentleman has true talent in his kitchen!
Photo: I'm a happy guy, as I toast Chef Howie along with Hangry Howie's as I raise my glass of ice water. Howie's is "dry," as there are no alcoholic beverages sold, but if you have a thirst, you can always visit the general store next door and enjoy your libation on the patio.
Photo: From the "Lunch Menu," I went with a "Firehouse Burger," and my choice of side were "Tator Tots" for an extra dollar. Unlike many restaurants, Hangry Howie's gives you a choice of seven sides with your burger, along with two others, such as "Tator Tots" for a nominal extra charge. That's going the extra mile of goodness! Notice the beautiful cheese skirt, which is the signature of the restaurant and really showcases the delicious burger. Howie's menu describes this delicious burger as "Angus patty, pepper jack cheese, signature cheese skirt, sauteed jalapeņos and onions with all the fixings." I describe the "Firehouse Burger" as one of the best burgers I've ever eaten in rural Placer County! The burger began with a large - most likely around 6 ounces - patty of Angus beef, grilled to perfection. The beef was slightly seasoned, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth tender, and grilled medium. When I ordered my burger, I forgot to specify how I preferred my meat to be cooked, and medium worked out in my favor. I assume if you wanted your meat cooked differently you'd simply have to mention when you placed your order, as Chef Howie is eager to please. The burger was highlighted by the signature cheese skirt, which, along with the branding on the top bun, is the trademark of Hangry Howie's. It's not just for show, as the crispy melted cheese made for great eating! Like all burgers on the menu, my "Firehouse Burger" included "House Burger Sauce," shredded lettuce, tomato, onion and sliced dill pickles. The meat, cheese skirt and "fixings" were sandwiched between large, fresh bun, and branded with Chef Howie's "HH." The branding made for a nice touch. In case you're wondering, this is a large burger, and with the side, it made for a hearty lunch. I'm toying with the idea of adding an optional second meat patty for my next visit. I adore fries, but today I splurged and ordered a side of "Tator Tots" for an extra dollar, which didn't break the bank. The tots were simply amazing, as they were crispy golden brown on the outside, with a white, tender inside, which made for the perfect "Tator Tots" and the perfect side to my burger. I cut the burger in half with the knife so I could see all of the layers of goodness, and to make the eating endeavor a little easier. This is a large - not gigantic - "old school" burger, the kind of burger that I remember enjoying during my 1960's high school "dragging the main" adventures, which happened nearly every Friday evening back in the day. Thank goodness Chef Howie brought plenty of napkins, as they were needed for this juicy burger! It was love at first bite! The burger was simply amazing in every way. All of the ingredients worked together to make a delicious burger. The crispy, delicious tots made a delicious side to the burger, and was worth the extra dollar. Despite the name "Firehouse Burger," I didn't find the burger spicy hot at all, but keep in mind that I prefer food on the hot side. If your taste buds run on the mild side, you may want to ask the chef to limit the jalapeņos, or leave them out entirely. For my taste, the burger was simply perfect! Chef Howie has talent when it comes to creating a delicious burger, and he knows his way around the kitchen. The burger and fries were simply delicious, and will put a smile on the face of anyone who appreciates a quality burger.
Photo: The top bun of my burger was marked with Hungry Howie's signature "HH" brand, which added a touch of class to this delicious burger.
Photo: I cut my "Firehouse Burger" in half so I could see all the layers of goodness. Look at those perfect "Tator Tots!" The "comfort food" is simply delicious, the dining is both charming and rustic, and the Howard, Angela and Jessica will treat you like royalty. Calling all burger lovers... Hangry Howie's has makes your burger, and Chef Howie will make you a burger that will keep you coming back for more. It's a burger destination, between Sacramento and Reno, for all "foodies," and those who appreciate a truly delicious burger. When you're traveling Interstate 80 between Sacramento and Reno, do yourself a favor and stop by Hungry Howie's to enjoy one of their delicious burgers, sandwiches, or anything else on their menu. Hangry Howies, co-located beside the Alta General Store in Alta, CA. Hangry Howie's Copyright(c) 2026 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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