Trek into Truckee
In
this Package:
Highway 89 from Portola proved to be an easy two-lane mountain road to drive on. It turned into California 267 after crossing Interstate Highway 80 and dumped us right into historic downtown Truckee.
We were happy to find curbside parking in front of O.B.'s Pub and Restaurant, a century-old brick building. True to form on this day, the back of the menu told a short history of Truckee and the building that is home to O.B.'s.
At the turn of the century it was McDougald's Fountain Bar. In the 1920s, the population of downtown Truckee grew, and so did the number of watering holes. "In it's heyday, Truckee boasted 21 bars and saloons, including the Eagle Saloon," which is now O.B.'s. It's also been a bakery and a grocery store among other businesses.
In 1970, Al and Zina O'Brien opened it as O.B.'s Board. Dick Howell and Mike Linnett, the current owners, took over O.B.'s in 1980.
After another short history nesson, we ordered a half-dozen chicken potstickers and browsed the menu for dinner.
Ray chose the half slab of honey-glazed, center-cut pork back ribs, which were served with roasted red potatoes. Mangin chose the house specialty, which is a slow-roasted prime rib. I chose a 3/4 pound sirloin steak, marinated in Jack Daniels whiskey with garlic, black pepper, soy and brown sugar. It was char-grilled and served with caramelized whiskey onions.
We recapped our favorite stories from the day and savored the flavors of the food in front of us. The restaruant was dark, well-worn and filled with artifacts and momentos from local ranches. I asked the busboy about what some of the momentos, he simply replied, "I don't know -- the only thing I know is that all of those things were around before computers."
Feeling a bit historical ourselves, we headed back to Reno.
Posted
Dec. 11, 1998
Copyright 1998 Nevada Outpost