Red Hut Cafe: Waffles to waffle cones at the lake
The Red Hut Café has been a breakfast-and-lunch institution at South Tahoe since 1959, known for its comfort food and old-fashioned, friendly approach. The funny thing is that it’s more popular now than it ever was in the “old days,” even as it’s refused to change—or perhaps because it hasn’t changed. People like continuity, and whether it’s regular Tahoe visitors or longtime locals, you can always count on the same strawberry waffle at Red Hut.
The newest and largest of the three Red Huts is in a handsome new building at the busy intersection of Highway 50 and Ski Run Boulevard. Besides the circa 1959 photos and memorabilia on the walls, there’s an old jukebox at the entrance, old ski-lift chairs suspended from the ceiling, a counter with 10 stools, and sweetest of all, an old-fashioned Soda Fountain & Ice Cream Shop that stays open until 10 p.m. Care for a chocolate malt? You’ll be served the malt plus the metal cup with the extra malt, just like in the old days. Or how about a Dreyer’s Ice Cream root beer float or waffle cone?
Speaking of waffles, that’s the signature item on the Red Hut breakfast menu—and the waffles can be as sweet as the soda fountain specialties next door. The same waffles have been served at Red Huts for decades—including banana, coconut, pecan and walnut, with each smothered in whipped cream. Fresh berry waffles are available seasonally, too, including strawberry, blueberry, blackberry and raspberry waffles.
Breakfast items also include pancakes (plain and strawberry), egg dishes (including 10 kinds of omelets), French toast and oatmeal. There’s also a lunch menu, with eight kinds of burgers (including veggie) and five sandwich choices.
Red Hut’s two older locations, which share the same menu, remain popular. Both are in cozy, one-room cabin-like buildings, with tables crowded together and counter stools letting you meet your dining neighbors if you so choose. Like the new, more spacious Red Hut, old Tahoe photos lend a nostalgic touch to the other Red Huts, as do the aproned waitresses when they call you “Hon.” Another shared trait among all three is that the line goes out the door at busy times—especially on summer weekends after 10 a.m. Reservations are not taken at any location.
The 1959 original is closest to the Highway 50/89 “Y” and just a mile west of the Ski Run location at 2749 Lake Tahoe Blvd. (Highway 50) in South Lake Tahoe (530-541-9024). The third Red Hut, which opened in 1990, is closest to the casinos at 227 Kingsbury Grade in Stateline, Nevada (775-588-7488). There’s a pine-shaded porch with benches outside the front door if you have to wait.
HelloSanFrancisco Tip: If you’re real hungry, order an omelet instead of a waffle. You’ll pay about the same price (most are $8), but omelets come with a half-plateful of hash browns plus toast or a bagel.
Posted by Bob Cooper
