Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Said I'd do a post about this. Here goes.

About 20 years ago or so Kathe and I were staying in a motel in Nevada City and not being very familiar with the place, I asked the proprietor where there might be good place to go eat. He mentioned a couple of places and said that if we wanted a good steak we should go to the Willo. I thought it was the Willow but later found it to be, indeed, the Willo. So we pass this dump of a looking place on hi way 49 going north out of Nevada City toward Downieville, we drive right by it, go a little further on and realize that must have been it. Once you're outside of Nevada City on 49 or 20 there ain't much out there that could possibly be a bar and restaurant. We turn around, head back, pull into the parking lot. We go into the bar. There are maybe 5 tables in the bar, 8 or 10 barstools, a horse collar game, dismal looking place, as much of a dump on the inside as it is out. We order a couple of drinks, tell the bar tender that we've heard they serve a pretty good steak. His ears perk up and he starts telling me all about how he buys corn fed beef from Nebraska and dry ages it himself, how he does that, and how he hand cuts his strip steaks from that. I ask him when the dining room opens. Oh, he says, you wanna eat? OK. You got reservations?
Reservations. For this place?
No. No we don't.
He tells us we can eat at the bar if we want. Dining room opens at 5. It fills up pretty quick back there.
Indeed it does.
Friends, I don't usually go out for steak. I can fix a pretty damn good steak in my backyard for a lot less money than I can get one out. When I go out I normally go places that offer stuff that I can't easily duplicate at home. Oriental. Mexican. Italian. You get the picture. The Willo's steaks are remarkable. You can't get that kind of flavor from California beef. Just can't. So when I want a really good steak and I'm up that way, I make reservations, and indulge.
I'm sure that if there's anyone on here who's familiar with the place, they will back me up. And if you live anywhere around here and you haven't eaten there, I highly recommend you get your butt over there and give it a try. As I say, don't expect fancy. Pretty basic fare. A great steak on a plate with beans and salad. A baked potato if you want one. Paper napkins. Good people and good food. Oh, and the drinks are honest and good. Yesterday they had Firestone Walker 805 on tap. Good beer. What more can you ask for?
Google the Willo if you want more info.

Jeremy Loc: America

Sounds good I looked it up. Boy if I was anywhere near there I would definitely go. I read the whole story too. Makes sense why it may look not so great. I know where some of the best food in this area are and most don’t look perfect outside but I will tell you the truth. I go there for the food.

Actually I went to a Mexican Restaurant for a very longtime for lunch usually once every few weeks. There was a special for 4.95 it included whatever the special was .. Taco Salad or Tostada with choice of meat type. Taco burger chicken or shredded beef. Rice and beans.. with all the chips and salsa served when you sit down. It also included ice cream.

I usually said no to ice cream.

For years the special was no longer on the chalkboard. But whenever I went in there the owner would walk over to my table and ask me what I wanted. He always gave it to me for 595 after no longer writing it on board. The thing that changed was after it was off the board he would let me order one of most of the menu. He also always said thank you senor for coming to my restaurant for so many years and bringing my friends I worked with.

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

Sounds like Oscar's in Zanesville. If ya stopped in on a Fri or Sat evening the place was more than likely full up in the bar room walk in the back room an set down an bullsh_ _ with the guys playing poker lol best T bones in town 🤪 the outside it looked like a dive. It was just old like the owner. He's kids closed it when he died 🙄

charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca

Been thinking to try the Willo. You made up my mind.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Love a good steak Spirit. Making my mouth water.

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Thanks for the info Spirit. If we’re ever down that way we’ll check it out👍

Slimshady Loc: Central Pennsylvania

Was in a place like that in Niagara Falls back years ago. Asked some locals about a steak house and they sent me to a place that I would normally never dream of stopping. Place looked like a dump outside. Graffiti all over the building and rundown looking. Best steak I ever had. Can’t remember the name of the place now and don’t know if it’s even still there

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Had a place like that in Rhode Island. Was on the way to Boston for a wedding and we stopped for lunch. Wanted to avoid the tourist traps do I asked a guy on the street who had the best gried class in town. He sent me out of town on a back road to a place that looked like an old walk up ice cream store standing in the back end of an abandoned rock quarry. They took whole class the size if my hand, breaded and deep fried and served them with a pile of French fries. Must have been 3 or 4 whole clams in there, just as sweet and tender as could be. Never ate clams as good as them in the 50 years since.

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

Some of the best meals I've ever had were in places that gave me serious misgivings when I saw them from out front. Didn't someone once say something about a book and its cover?

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

🤪👍