With pie names like Hair of the Dog and Walk the Dog, you gotta love the pizza at Blue Dog Pizza in South Lake Tahoe. This small, local pizza joint offers free online ordering, a $3 Happy Hour and other specials. Their menu items also include appetizers, salads, oven-toasted subs and a kid's menu. They also offer gluten-free crusts. For the pizzas with the funny names, the Hair of the Dog has jalapenos, pepperoni, sausage, Canadian bacon, green chili, garlic and mozzarella cheese. The Walk the Dog pizza is a little more tongue-friendly with white sauce, chicken, fresh spinach, bacon, garlic and mozzarella cheese. Other pizzas include the Pesto Chicken, the Primavera and the Supreme.
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: Blue Dog Pizza offers gluten free crusts and if you order online, you get free breadsticks.
Christina's expert tip: The $3 Happy Hour, Monday through Friday, has $3 slices and $3 pints.
This stylish little coffee bar in Truckee is just off the main road on Jibboom street in downtown Truckee. They serve up Italian-style cappuccinos, espressos and lattes as well as some unusual drinks like Lemon Chiffon Latte and Caffe Marocchino. The Coffeebar also serves paninis, salads, homemade crepes, filo purses filled with sweet or savory ingredients and other drinks like Italian sodas, teas and fresh juice.The Coffeebar has a great outdoor patio and plenty of seating in their well-lit space. This is a great place to meet clients or family and is away from the main street through downtown Truckee.
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: Coffeebar's pastry and sweet bar has gluten-free muffins, bars and cookies.
Christina's expert tip: Try one of Coffeebar's breakfast crepes with your coffee.
This cozy, local coffee shop serves Alpen Sierra coffee, various teas and much more. Located in South Lake Tahoe on the way to Emerald Bay, Alpina is a comfy cafe, adored by locals. The Cafe has three computers with Internet access for customers to use, a kids' corner, and picnic tables in a sunny garden area for spring and summer. The Alpina has free WiFi and 3G. Try their house coffee or lattes (with great foam) or their great Mexican hot chocolate. The Alpina does serve basic food items like muffins, sandwiches and bagels and a darn good spinach quiche.
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: Alpina Coffee Cafe both gluten-free and vegan pastries and casseroles.
Christina's expert tip: Alpina Coffee Cafe is located on the way to Emerald Bay which makes it a great stop for coffee or breakfast.
The Blue Angel Caf� in South Lake Tahoe offers unique and interesting meat and vegetarian dishes as well as desserts, wine beer and a generous happy hour. This cozy, little restaurant has a view of the lake, a place for eating outside, a nice garden and access to all the South Lake Tahoe fun. Their food includes items like Clam Chowder, Chili Dusted Sweet Potato Fries, Pulled Pork, burgers and vegetarian dishes like the Napoleon with eggplant, zucchini, tomato sauce, pesto and polenta. They have a daily happy hour with menu items and drinks for $3 and a nice couch in front of the fireplace to sit and chat with locals and other Tahoe visitors. The Blue Angel also offers catering and special wedding menus.
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: The Blue Angel offers several gluten-free options on their menu as well as a great view of the lake and the mountains.
Christina's expert tip: The happy hour is from 4-6 p.m. every day.
Swiss and American influences collide at this cozy bakery. Open early, Tahoe House delivers cups of coffee and espressos made to order, as well as a handsome spread of pastries, breads, cookies, cakes, fruit tarts, bagels, and more. While you're waiting for your order, peruse the bottled sauces, dressings, and other gourmet items available for purchase. Regulars assert the spot is always reliable for delicious treats, whether you're grabbing a bite on the go or have time to spend in the comfortable dining room. The Tahoe House serves local Sierra Alpen Coffee made to order in their authentic Swiss coffee machines.
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: The Tahoe House offers several gluten-free items on their menu including biscotti.
Christina's expert tip: The quality of the food at the Tahoe House is some of the best at the lake.
This little fusion kitchen and coffee shop with the cute name is influenced by European and Mexican cooking traditions and serves up breakfast and lunch with a Latin twist. Their specialties include gluten-free blueberry pancakes, lemon coconut pancakes, French toast and coffee for breakfast and sandwiches like Coffee Rubbed Tri Tip Panini and Ham, Bacon & Cheese Omelette Quesadilla, and garden and Mediterranean salads. A Cup of Cherries also serves up baked goods like blueberry muffins, crepes, sweet pineapple loaves and a decadent Cappuccino Creme Br�l�e. The shop is located in South Lake Tahoe near the Tahoe Keys and just minutes from the local hiking trails.
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: A Cup of Cherries offers gluten-free breakfast items including blueberry pancakes.
Christina's expert tip: A Cup of Cherries is always changing up their pancake menu.
The Keys Cafe is located on the South Shore, just off the main road. This small, yellow house serves up breakfast, lunch, beer wine and their famous smoothies. The atmosphere is fun and funky with local art on the walls and fresh, local eggs served in their omlettes, breakfast sandwiches and breakfast burritos. Their smoothies include the typical fruit smoothies like the Go Mango with mango, raspberry, banana and orange juice and the Castaway with Coconut, mango and pineapple juice. Their lunches consist of turkey, ham and swiss, roast beef, Reuben and cheese sandwiches. They also serve a sweet potato sandwich with baked sweet potato, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, marinated onions, organic mixed greens, balsamic vinaigrette dressing, on a ciabatta roll.
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: Gluten-free diners can order any of the Keys Cafe's sandwiches or bowls.
Christina's expert tip: Try their Acai Bowl (served all day) with Acai berries, blueberries, banana, strawberry, and soy milk blended into a yummy frozen delight, topped with granola and bananas.
Simple Bliss is South Lake Tahoe's only vegan restaurant and serves locally grown organic produce. They are located in the Swiss Chalet Village and are open daily from 6 a.m.to 4 p.m. The caf� is knowledgable about vegan diets and offers a wide variety of items to choose from. The breakfast burritos for $13 include roasted potatoes, tofu or grilled eggplant and the $8 Blissful Breakfast Bagel has garlic hummus, avocado, tomato, red onion and spinach. For lunch the Grilled Eggplant Panini for $13 with sourdough bread, grilled eggplant, roasted red peppers, onions, tomatoes, and garlic hummus. The Homemade Lentil Burger for $13 is served on a multi-grain bun w/veganaise, mustard, lettuce mix, tomato, and onions.
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: SImple Bliss's ingredients are guaranteed non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan and organic.
Christina's expert tip: Try the gluten-free pecan pancakes or burritos bowls at Simple Bliss.
Many visitors to the Tahoe City area rave about the Sugar Pine Cakery and its sweet baked goods. The owner is an organic baker who specializes in vegan, gluten-free and organic baked goods. Items on the menu include not only cupcakes, cakes and cookies but also sandwiches, salads, quiche, paninis and seasonal soups. The chocolate croissant is a popular pick as well as the cherry tarts, home-baked cookies, macaroons and cupcakes. The cinnamon rolls are a must for breakfast or dessert. If you're in the mood for something rich, get the rocky road brownie for an explosion of chocolate, almond and marshmallow goodness.
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: Sugar Pine has several gluten-free options for cakes, buns and breads.
Christina's expert tip: The Sugar Pine also sells coffee, tea, chai and other hot drinks to go with your cookies.
The Baked Bear serves up delectable, massive ice cream sandwiches, ice cream in cones and cookies, brownies and donuts. Each sandwich or ice cream treat is custom made for each customer with a variety of flavors and homemade sandwich cookies. Toppings can also be added and the entire concoction can be heated up to get that great, melty flavor. Baked Bear cookie flavors include Peanut Butter, Red Velvet, Oatmeal Cinnamon, and other flavors. Ice creams include Espresso Bean, Blackberry Crumble, and even some soy-based flavors. The Baked Bear also serves fun drinks like root bear float and sundaes. You can also cut the sugar with a cup of their coffee.
Recommended for Gluten-Free Baked Goods because: The Baked Bear offers gluten-free cookies and soy-based ice cream.
Christina's expert tip: The Baked Bear is a fun place to experiment with different flavor combinations.