Review of Sierra Trek Restaurant

Every year, for the past 57 years, during the second weekend of August, California Four Wheel Drive Association holds their annual Sierra Trek event, in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains northwest of Truckee, CA. The event features four days of awesome four wheeing, entertainment, rustic camping, live music, an amazing snack bar, a saloon... AND... the Sierra Trek Restaurant! Welcome to Sierra Trek, 2024!

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 bit past the dinner opening time of Sierra Trek Restaurant, Thursday, August 8, 2024, and it's time to enjoy some amazing cuisine, thanks to the Joaquin Jeepers, based out of Stockton, CA. The menu displays Mexican cuisine, which is a change from previous years. Cheers!

Photo: Opening up the evening dinner line and the wait was long, but worth it. I served 8 years in the U.S. Navy, so I know something about waiting in a chow line. However, the scenery at Meadow Lake is a lot more serene than what you get on a Navy destroyer...

Photo: This lineup of WW2-era military stoves serve the Sierra Trek Restaurant well every year and work wonders for cooking, baking, broiling and everything else.

Photo: Number 10 size commercial canned beans are heated in huge pots. Like everything in the kitchen, the stoves, griddles and pots are fired by propane. Mr. Chef was super friendly and opened up the pot for me to photo all of the action.

Photo: Meet Mario, the head chef, along with a sous chef. Mario was responsible for providing an amazing Thursday night dinner, with lots of Mexican influence.

Photo: After you receive your plate and cutlery package, the first stop in the line is the tortilla guy, who will hand you a couple of perfectly toasted flour tortillas.

Photo: Meet "Mr. Tortilla," who placed two toasted flour tortillas on my plate as the foundation for tonight's great dinner.

Oh... it's hard to hold out a plate with my left hand and take photos with my right hand. Oh my... I truly need a photography assistant!

Photo: Next in line was the cheerful lady to ladled a large helping of refried beans on to my plate. Oh my!

Photo: Next in line were chicken carnitas and beef taco filling, placed on each flour tortilla to make a tostada. Or was it a taco?

Photo: After you had your tortillas filled with meat, it was time to add the cheese, salsa, guacamole and veggies, all to your heart's content. All meals at Sierra Trek are served cafeteria style, which makes sense, as the staff is feeding hundreds of hungry four wheelers at every meal.

Photo: Shredded lettuce, Mexican cheese, sour cream, salsa pico de gallo, guacamole, and diced red onion made for perfect garnishes for tonight's delicious dinner.

Photo: My friends Robert and Robin enjoy their dinners. Unlike me, they both chose to enjoy dessert which was a luscious bar of lemon square.

Photo: I'm a truly happy guy, as I'm ready to enjoy my Thursday night dinner at Sierra Trek 2024.

Photo: Mexican style dinner tonight, with two flour tortillas, beef taco meat, chicken carnitas, and refried beans. Garnishes included shredded Mexican cheese, salsa pico de gallo, sour cream, diced red onion, shredded lettuce, diced tomato and TONS of delicious, fresh guacamole.

The flour tortillas were perfectly toasted, with just a few brown spots - delicious - the beef and shredded chicken was juicy and marinated to perfection, which made for an outstanding foundation for this Thursday dinner. The refried beans came from an industrial size can, but they were good, and the condiments enhanced the meal, and made this an amazing dinner.

Backtracking just a little, I actually arrived a couple days early before the event, so to simply get away from the honey-do's at home, get my favorite camping spot, and simply kick back and enjoy the beautiful scenery. So... Robert and I set up camp on Tuesday afternoon, and Tom joined us Friday evening. Click on the CAMP LINK to check out all of the pre-event food, our camp, and lots of other fun stuff related to Sierra Trek 2024.

We actually arrived on Tuesday, several days before the event, and did out own cookin' and enjoyed the beauty of the serene Tahoe National Forest. Click on THIS LINK to enjoy our camp activities, including food, camp life and the Sierra Trek 2024 event.

Photo: On this early Friday morning, August 09, 2024, bacon, eggs and pancakes highlight the breakfast menu, served by the Ladies Off Road group.

I noted today's breakfast seems to sported a "Pirates of the Caribbean" theme, and it carried on later today at dinner.

Note the sign has incorrect spelling, as the correct spelling is "Caribbean." What would Billy Ocean think after releasing is 1980's song "Caribbean Queen?" Alright, I'm not perfect and neither is my spelling.

At the CA4WDC Sierra Trek event, when you purchase a "meal ticket," you'll enjoy three breakfasts and dinner for the entire weekend event.

Photo: The talented pancake chef is busy placing pancakes on the grill, and making some of the fluffiest and best pancakes that you can ever imagine. This chef has true talent when it comes to pancakes.

Photo: It's time to get today's breakfast started with a generous spoonful of scrambled eggs.

Photo: After my eggs, I was treated to a generous helping of perfectly grilled bacon, along with a friendly smile.

Photo: The final entree on this delicious breakfast was a fluffy pancake, followed with butter and maple syrup. The friendly staff at Ladies Off Road treated me like family and served a delicious breakfast.

Photo: On this early Friday morning, I'm a happy guy, as I'm ready to enjoy a delicious breakfast at Sierra Trek 2024.

Photo: My delicious breakfast today of a pancake, butter, maple syrup, bacon along with scrambled eggs, and with a generous helping of Cholula Mexican Hot Sauce to get my Friday started the right way.

The pancake, crafted by the pancake lady and cooked on the griddle was simply amazing, as it was just the right size, fluffy, but with a slight "crisp" on the outside, which is a trademark of a truly great pancake. Like all good pancakes, my pancake included butter and maple syrup. The serving staff offered a second pancake, but my appetite was light on this early Friday morning.

Oh the bacon... it was cooked "just right," at least in my book, as it was slightly crispy, yet juicy and tender, just the way I like it. What is better than getting your morning started with a helping of delicious bacon?

The scrambled eggs were great, but simply not spectacular, and the Cholula Mexican Hot Sauce really helped them out to work for the perfect side - main? - entree on the menu.

As in past years, breakfast created by Ladies Off Road enjoyed at Sierra Trek never fails to disappoint a "foodie" such as I am.

Just in case you're interested to know, at the event, SNACK BAR serves amazing hot dogs, hamburgers and more for lunch, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I simply could not resist their hot dogs, hamburgers and some of the best fries you'll ever enjoy in the Tahoe National Forest.

Photo: It's Friday, August 09, 2024, and Sierra Treasure Hunters 4WD Club are hosting tonight's meal. The menu says it all... Ahoy Mates!

Photo: It's chicken time late in the afternoon, as the chefs are grilling chicken for tonight's dinner. CA4WDC maintains a propane-fired grill trailer for events, with the capacity to feed an Army battalion.

Photo: The sous chef rubs and coats slabs of ribs in tangy barbecue sauce before the chef places them on the grill.

Photo: Slabs or ribs are cooking on the grill. Each portion of ribs was three bones per diner, when combined with the chicken, was more than enough protein. You'll never go hungry at Sierra Trek!

Photo: The evening line for dinner can be quite long, so Tom took a little trip over to Summit City Saloon and brought back a couple glasses on "comfort," on the rocks. Click on the hyperlink to enjoy all the goodness - and booze - the saloon has to offer.

Photo: Ahoy Mate! As we were waiting in the chow line, to pirates from the Sierra Treasure Hunters 4WD Club entertained us, and kept us laughing. These gentlemen were truly keeping with the "Pirates of the Caribbean" theme of the evening.

Photo: Tom gets his meal ticket punched as Robert looks on. Beginning at last year's event, you get a meal card, which lists all the meals, and as you enter the kitchen area, a friendly staff member will punch the appropriate meal. It's a great format and it works well.

Photo: First stop of dinner was the salad bar, which offered both shredded and fancy lettuce, along with diced tomato, beans, olives, diced onion, shredded cheese, croutons and much more...

Photo: You simply can't pass on the salad bar, as it offers nearly everything you'd fine at a Las Vegas casino buffet. All ingredients were fresh, expertly prepared, and chilled, thanks to the bed of ice.

Photo: The first stop was pork ribs, where each diner received three bones. The ribs were rubbed, marinated and grilled to perfection with barbecue sauce, and were finger lickin' good.

Photo: After the ribs, it was time to enjoy two grilled chicken breasts. After the chicken, it was time for the baked beans. Like the refried beans from the night before, the baked beans arrived in huge commercial size cans, and were heated in the large pots located behind the kitchen.

If you've ever served in the military, the kitchen at Sierra Trek will remind you of a battalion size operation, but the major difference is the food is truly gourmet.

Photo: Last stop in the line was the gal serving Hawaiian rolls, and her companion serving packages of butter.

Photo: Your author, Tom and Robert are seated at one of the many tables located near the kitchen, and are ready to enjoy the fine cuisine that Sierra Trek offers. The white poodle is Robert's companion, "Boo Boo," and he made for an excellent four-wheeling dog.

Photo: Such an amazing dinner of grilled ribs, chicken, baked beans, Hawaiian dinner roll, along with a delicious helping of fresh veggies, topped with cheese, croutons and much more, from the amazing salad bar.

Sierra Treasure Hunters fed us well, and as long as this talented team is running the restaurant, you'll never leave hungry.

The showcase of the meal was the grilled pork ribs and chicken - who could ask for more? - with both the chicken and ribs seasoned, marinated and mixed with barbecue sauce - I think Sweet Baby Ray's - added at the end to add tangy flavor, but only allowed to caramelize and not burn. The chefs have talent! Both ribs and chicken were simply delicious, as all the meat was tender, juicy and perfectly grilled to perfection, which made for an absolutely delicious main dish for the Friday night dinner.

The plate included lots of meat fit for a carnivore, as beside the slab of ribs there were two tender, seasoned perfectly grilled chicken breasts, coated with barbecue sauce and grilled to perfection.

The meal started out at the salad bar, which allowed you to "build your own salad" and make your salad, "your way." In my case, tonight I went the easy route, as I chose to begin my salad with a bed of fancy lettuce, along with shredded carrot, diced cucumber, diced olives, topped with crusty croutons and mixed shredded cheese. My choice of dressing was Ranch - my de facto standard - but 1000 Island and Italian was offered as well. The salad was simply amazing, as it was fresh, chilled and it made for an outstanding beginning to this delicious dinner.

I absolutely adored the baked beans, but I confess that I missed the coleslaw which always a staple on the Friday evening dinner menu from past years.

Sierra Treasure Hunters 4WD Club know how to prepare great mountain cuisine, and to operate the Sierra Trek Restaurant with clockwork precision, and with super friendly staff. Tonight's meal was simply delicious, as the meat was perfectly grilled, the salad was fresh and chilled, and the beans and the roll were just right. My only regret was that I too full to enjoy a brownie for dessert.

Thanks to the culinary expertise of the Sierra Treasure Hunters 4WD Club, Friday evening dinner is always a special treat at Sierra Trek!

Photo: Today's breakfast menu for Saturday morning, August 10, 2024, thanks to the Railtown 4x4 Club, located in Tracy, CA.

Photo: After getting my meal ticket punched and getting a plate, it was time for a biscuit covered by gravy. I could have added a second biscuit and more gravy, but after pigging out last night, I simply wasn't very hungry.

Photo: Scrambled eggs are the de facto standard for breakfast at Sierra Trek, and I was rewarded with a generous helping.

Photo: Four pork sausages were included with my meal. I'm certain I could have asked my friendly server for a couple more, had my appetite permitted.

Photo: Robert and Tom enjoy their breakfasts, as "Boo Boo" looks on, and wishes for a plate.

Photo: My breakfast of a biscuit covered with gravy, four sausage links, scrambled eggs, and a serving of fruit, including melon and grapes. Delicious! I could have opted for a second biscuit and more gravy, muffins, cereal and much more, but I wasn't really hungry on this Saturday morning, after enjoying the feast last night.

My breakfast began with a freshly baked biscuit - baked in the WW2 vintage ovens - crusty on the outside, fluffy tender on the inside, covered with sausage gravy. Next in line was a generous helping of scrambled eggs, just like yesterday, and a breakfast staple at the Sierra Trek event. Ah... FOUR pork sausages... now that's generous! I rounded off my breakfast by adding a couple scoops of fruit, which as diced melon and grapes. The fruit adds both a sweet and healthy touch to this great breakfast.

Thanks to the Railtown 4x4 Club, the breakfast was delicious, and jump-started my Saturday to be another fun day at Sierra Trek 2024!

Photo: It's early Saturday evening, August 10, 2024, and it's dinner time at Sierra Trek 2024. Like every meal, the menu is posted where you get your ticket punched. All meals are served cafeteria style, just like a military chow line.

Photo: An hour or so before dinner time, the staff was busy preparing the salad bar. After chopping and presenting the choices, everything was kept cool on ice. At Sierra Trek, the staff are all four wheelers and volunteers, and in every occasion, they perform a friendly and efficient job.

Photo: Cooking corn, in gigantic kettles, just like you'd see on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.

Photo: The chef works his magic, as tri tip roasts cook on the grill. The staff at CA4WDC maintain this propane-fired grill trailer, which is used for Sierra Trek and other events.

Photo: When the tri tip roasts were finished on the grill, the staff cut each roast into slices, ready to serve for tonight's dinner.

Photo: It's 5 o'clock in the afternoon, Saturday, August 10, 2024, and the outdoor dining area, next to the kitchen is a busy place. Outdoor dining is great at Meadow Lake, CA.

Photo: Like the night before, the first stop is the serve-yourself salad bar, that offers choices that would rival or surpass many restaurants.

Photo: The salad bar is serve yourself, and offers something for every taste.

Photo: First step is a generous helping of grilled tri tip, served to you with a friendly smile. Most diners held their salad with one hand, and the plate in the other hand, but since I was taking photos, I needed my right hand to work the camera. I put my salad on my plate and asked the staff to pile everything up - it all works out great - and they cheerfully agreed.

Photo: After receiving three generous slices of grilled tri tip beef, it was time to receive a helping of corn.

Photo: Next in line was mashed potatoes, with broccoli if so desired. Even though I love broccoli, I passed on it, as I didn't really have room on my plate - or my stomach - for a side of broccoli.

Photo: The mashed potatoes are "loaded," so you'll enjoy sour cream, bacon slices and diced green onion. It's up to you what you want, and the friendly staff will load your mashed potatoes to your heart's content. In my case, I said "yes" to everything.

Last stop was a Hawaiian roll and butter to round out your meal. I passed by the cheesecake dessert - which was part of the meal - as I simply didn't have room for dessert.

Photo: I'm a happy four wheeler, and I show my plate of amazing food that I'm going to enjoy for dinner tonight.

Photo: Saturday evening dinner featuring grilled beef tri tip, loaded mashed potatoes, whole kernel corn, and a helping of salad, thanks to the well-equipped salad bar. This dinner was simply amazing! The Just For Fun group provided tonight's fantastic dinner.

The main course was the seasoned, marinated and perfectly grilled trip tip beef, sliced thin, against the grain, and melt-in-your-mouth juicy and tender. Sierra Trek Restaurant doesn't skimp on anything, including tri tip, so nobody goes hungry during Saturday night dinner. Tri tip is a de facto standard for Saturday night dinner, and tonight's dinner lived up to all expectations of the mountain cuisine enjoyed at the Sierra Trek event.

You like mashed potatoes? ... you like them loaded with goodies? I enjoyed a generous helping of buttery, creamy mashed potatoes, loaded with pieces of bacon, sour cream and chopped green onion. What could be better?

The sweet corn was great, and made for an great side, but it was simply heated from a can. Kind of the same for the Hawaiian rolls, as they were fresh, but obviously commercially made, as it would have been difficult to bake rolls at Meadow Lake. Butter on the roll, along with the corn did the trick.

Like last night's dinner, I absolutely loved the salad bar, as it was a serve yourself affair, and you get to build your salad the way you like it. Salad was served in a little tray think, which most people kept in one hand, while managing their food plate in the other hand, but since I had to have my right hand free for photos, I put the tray on my plate and asked the staff to simply pile things on top. No worries as it all worked out well.

My choice of salad was similar to last night's: Plain lettuce - tonight - diced red onion, shredded carrot, shredded cheese, diced black olives and topped with crusty croutons. Ranch dressing was my dressing of choice tonight, but 1000 Island and Italian were available, for those with diverse tastes. Everything was fresh, chilled on ice and simply delicious. The salad bar rivaled many restaurants, and was better than many salad bars I've enjoyed in Reno casinos.

Multiple flavors of cheesecake was on the menu, but I simply couldn't find the room, as the tri tip, mashed potatoes, corn and salad did the job for me.

Grilled tri tip, loaded mashed potatoes, corn, along with an amazing salad bar buffet, all served by friendly people. Saturday night dinner simply doesn't get any better!

Every meal served at the Sierra Trek Restaurant during the Sierra Trek 2024 event was simply delicious, the staff were helpful and friendly, the price was right, and you didn't have to prepare your meal, or clean up, so that left you more time to enjoy four wheeling, camping and the amazing scenery the Tahoe National Forest has to offer.

When you're attending the largest four wheel drive event of the year in Northern California, Sierra Trek Restaurant is a must-do for anybody who enjoys delicious foot and fine dining at CA4WDC's annual Sierra Trek!

Sierra Trek Restaurant
CA4WDC Sierra Trek Event
Meadow Lake, CA
https://cal4wheel.com