The Beth Lists
  • Homepage
  • Little Bear's Adventures
  • Diverse Dining List
  • 90 Notable Nights
  • Happy List
  • Quilt Adventure Blog
  • Not So Happy List
  • The Texas Twenty List
  • Mom's Picnic List
  • 18+ Dance Adventures
  • 55 Strangers
  • The Barbie Bucket List
  • 60 Celebrations
  • 57 Celebrations of the Fifties!



Diverse Dining List

Dining on Nevada's Highway 50

11/16/2013

0 Comments

 

The Lincoln Highway - November 2013
​

Recently my husband and I drove the nearly 300-mile stretch of the Lincoln Highway, known as the Loneliest Road in America. ​
Picture
There aren't many dining options on the loneliest road...but I guess that made it a dining adventure.

​Stop 1 - International Café and Bar in Austin, Nevada
​
Being big fans the Austin in Texas, we liked the name of this tiny town that suddenly appeared.  We also liked the idea of a 140 year old (once) hotel, out in the middle of nowhere, serving international food.  ​
Picture
There was a lot of stuff attracting our attention as we pulled up. I particularly liked the welcoming sign announcing Ice and Free Restrooms and a very intriguing sign on the side saying, Serbian Christmas Jan. 7!

Quiet
​

The sign said OPEN, but it was awfully empty when we entered the diner portion of the building.  ​
Picture
The portrait of W.C. Fields glaring down over the counter seemed to match the look of 60ish woman who entered from the kitchen in a Hawaiian shirt and ponytail. "Hi, do we just sit anywhere?" I asked apologetically, feeling as if we'd rudely interrupted her quiet.  She nodded and left the room.

Cozy Wood
​

There were many tables to choose from.  Most were round with Lazy Susans in the center. ​
Picture
My photo looks like some kind of comfy pancake house with all the light wood, but there was really nothing cozy about the place.  We sat and waited and I was scared to look at Don or I might burst out laughing.  We know each other's thoughts too well.

The Menu
​
​
 Another woman entered. Her moccasins actually stomped the floor as she headed to our table.  She hadn't bothered to pull her pink shirt down over her stomach, or to hide her bra or the tattoos on her bosom.  ​
Picture
However, our 40-ish, frowning server, may have been covering something on her neck, since the white hand towel was meticulously wrapped (not slung) around her neck. She slapped 2 sticky menus on the table and I almost jumped. She said nothing, so I greeted first.  "Hi, how are you doing?"  She answered with. "Do you want something to drink?"  She left to get our coffee and Don and I shared nervous grins before searching the menu.  There was nothing at all international on the menu! But the menu did mention something about the friendly staff at International Café. Hmm?

Ordering and Eating
​
When she came with the coffee, Don and I knew better than to stall with ordering.  I did make the mistake of changing my order from fried egg to scrambled after she had gone to the trouble of writing it on her pad.  She said nothing, but I felt a flood of childlike guilt when she shifted her weight and sighed and closed her eyes very slowly.  ​
Picture
After a short wait, our plates arrived without a word.  The food was steaming hot, but I had no appetite. Don's biscuits and gravy tasted a bit spongy and my hash browns were greasy, I think...but maybe they were good.  I'll never know.  Our silent pink waitress had me so intimidated I couldn't taste my food.  

​The Bar
​
After a while I went in search of the free restroom and discovered the old bar.  The morning sun lit up the ornate wood columns and mirror, as well as lots of clutter including a wheelbarrow filled with logs...?  ​
Picture
Maybe this bar is the reason Pinky and her possible mother were so grumpy.  Maybe they had worked into the wee hours and it was all they could do to serve 2 travelers on a Friday morning.

Heading Off


​I had so many questions I wanted to ask Pinky, but before we headed to pay at the counter a middle aged couple entered with cheery smiles.  I was amused to see they were treated no differently. ​
Picture
I exchanged a few pleasant words with them to practice my social skills before attempting a conversation with Pinky. I was just so curious about the kind of reaction I might get if I asked her about the cafe's history.  Or maybe I could be a little braver and find out if she grew up in Austin. Or I could just go all out and torture myself by asking her to pose for a blog photo. But more customers arrived and she was not approachable. I left disappointed that I hadn't had my chat. So disappointed that I actually called a day later. "Do you all serve International food?" I asked innocently. The confused woman's voice answered.  "No?" As if no one had ever asked. With a few more questions she did explain that her husband was Serbian and they served Serbian food for a Christmas celebration once a year.  I doubt we'll ever return for the Serbian Christmas, but I bet the ladies in their bright shirts might be a little more lively during the evening.

​Stop 2- Ely's Hotel Nevada Café!
​
​
A few hours later at the end of the lonely stretch, we stopped for lunch in Ely. I was pretty excited to be in Ely, because Ely happens to my middle name...an old family name. 
Picture
And I was quite thrilled to dine at the Hotel Nevada.  This 84 year old casino may not be the oldest building in Nevada, but it was once the tallest!  AND, it has a very cool neon sign with the macho miner.

Inviting!
​
 Not only did the neon miner welcome us in, but the donkey mural was very encouraging with the words, Western Hospitality. 
Picture
That's something we were craving by lunchtime!

Nice Floor
​
As soon as we entered there were things to see...
Picture
...starting with the floor!

​Casino Atmosphere
​
I'm not a big fan of casinos usually.
Picture
But give me a retro one, with neon, buffalo heads and a cowboy! I was impressed!

Animals and Ranch Stuff
​
Every nook and cranny was crammed with blinking casino lights or stuffed critters or ranching gear!   
Picture
I love the wall behind this wild cat.  In the 1960's, ranchers from the area brought their branding gear right into the casino and branded their mark right onto the wood wall.
​

The Cafe
​
I was kind of disappointed that the dining room had been updated with a somewhat corny race car and motorcycle theme. But at least our server arrived with a smile and she took our order and answered an important question of mine.  ​
Picture
Yes, the locals of Ely pronounce the name as if you're describing something "eel-like". I hated the teasing I got as a child, but defended the name in recent years when people argued about the pronunciation.

Yum
​
It's fun to eat when you're hungry and I was starved since I hardly ate my breakfast.  My simple BLT came with a pickle and super-crunchy AND creamy coleslaw which was delicious!  ​
Picture
Don had a bowl of cream of broccoli soup. (I liked my pick better) We even got a free bumper sticker which did not ride home on our bumper.  But the food and atmosphere hit the spot. Clean, fast, yummy and our bill came to less than $10.00! 

Yea for Dining Adventures along Nevada's Highway 50!

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
       The Dining Blog

    This is a blog about Dining Adventures. Sometimes, I talk about food.  Below, you can read how this started.


    On
    July 4th 2011, I set a goal to try 50 culturally diverse restaurants in one year!  (I knew that was possible, living in the Houston area) I spent the year pulling in friends and family to  join me, on some unusual dining adventures.  I met some curious people, tried some scary foods and explored places and cultures I never would have otherwise.  Even though I met my goal, I learned too much to end my adventures in dining.  I have continued  blogging about memorable dining adventures of all kinds, near and far... and all the discoveries and funny things I've learned  along the way!
    ​

    Locations and types of dining adventures,  are listed further down.

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    November 2024
    October 2024
    August 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    December 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    January 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011

    Categories

    All
    000 The Beginning!
    00 BBQ
    00 Cookbook Adventures
    00 Drive Ins
    00 Drive Ins Diners Cafes
    00 Houston Area
    00 Saloons & Taverns
    00 Themed Restaurant
    00 Tiki Time
    0 Alabama
    0 Arizona
    0 Arkansas
    0 California
    0 Colorado
    0 Florida
    0 Georgia
    0 Idaho
    0 Illinois
    0 Iowa
    0 Louisiana
    0 Michigan
    0 Mississippi
    0 Missouri
    0 Montana
    0 Nevada
    0 New Mexico
    0 New York
    0 North Carolina
    0 Oklahoma
    0 Oregon
    0 South Carolina
    0 South Dakota
    0 Tennessee
    0 Texas
    0 Utah
    0 Vermont
    0 Virginia
    0 Washington
    0 Washington D.C.
    0 Wyoming
    1 In Belize
    1 In Canada
    1 In Chile
    1 In Curacao
    1 In France
    1 In Guatemala
    1 In Italy
    1 In Mexico
    1 In Roatan
    1 In Thailand
    Afghani
    Argentine
    Basque
    Belgian
    Belizean
    Bengali
    Bermudian
    Bosnian
    Brazilian
    Cafes
    Canadian
    Chile
    Chinese
    Columbian
    Cornish
    Costa Rican
    Cuban
    Curacao Island
    Czech
    Danish
    Diners
    Dominican
    English
    Ethiopian
    Filipino
    French
    French Basque
    French Creole
    German
    Greek
    Guatemalan
    Honduran
    Hopi
    Houston Area
    Hungarian
    Indian
    Indonesian
    Iranian
    Iraqi
    Irish
    Italian
    Italy
    Jamaican
    Japanese
    Korean
    Lebanese
    Malaysian
    Mexican
    Mongolian
    Moroccan
    Nepali
    New Hampshire
    New York
    Nigerian
    O
    Pakistani
    Palestinian
    Peruvian
    Polish
    Portuguese
    Puerto Rican
    Russian
    Salvadoran
    Scottish
    Spanish
    Swedish
    Swiss
    Taiwanese
    Thai
    Turkish
    Uruguay
    Venezuelan
    Vietnamese

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Homepage
  • Little Bear's Adventures
  • Diverse Dining List
  • 90 Notable Nights
  • Happy List
  • Quilt Adventure Blog
  • Not So Happy List
  • The Texas Twenty List
  • Mom's Picnic List
  • 18+ Dance Adventures
  • 55 Strangers
  • The Barbie Bucket List
  • 60 Celebrations
  • 57 Celebrations of the Fifties!