Best Inflation-Proof Meal
The chicken enchiladas at the DC Café, inside the Tamarack Casino
13101 S. Virginia St., Reno
The prices at restaurants, you’ve surely noticed, have skyrocketed as of late. Inflation, tariffs and other debacles (like the bird flu) have caused food prices to spike, and restaurants have had to pass those price increases on to customers.
As a result, it’s nigh impossible to find a meal anywhere that doesn’t surpass the $10 price point—which is why I’m always shocked when I open the menu at the DC Café, the coffee shop at the Tamarack Casino. As of this writing, there are about a dozen meals on offer for less than $10, and nothing on the menu costs more than $19.99 (for short ribs or a 12-ounce New York steak).
Even more shocking: These meals are legit, both in terms of quality and size. On one recent visit, we ordered the chicken enchiladas, with house-made chicken machaca, salsa verde and pico de gallo; the two enchiladas were accompanied by a heap each of Spanish rice and beans. The cost for this full plate of tasty eats: $7.99.
Just a few other members of the DC Café’s under $10 club, as of this writing: spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread ($8.99), grilled pork medallions with mashed potatoes and veggies ($8.99) and a ham and cheddar omelet with hash browns and toast ($7.99, available all day).
How is this possible? I have no idea—but both my stomach and my wallet are thrilled.
—Jimmy Boegle
Best YouTube Channel to Help You in the ‘Reno History’ Category at Trivia Night
The Reno You Know
www.youtube.com/@SteveTRYK
I’m a Reno history nerd, so when I stumbled onto local renaissance man Steve Ellison’s YouTube channel, The Reno You Know, my interest was piqued.
He takes a fascinating dive into stories and places from our region’s colorful past, including some things you may have wondered about, and many things you may never have even considered. He closes each video with a tasty beer—another obsession of mine—so I was hooked.
Steve—a painter, photographer, musician, beer geek and Harold’s Club documentarian—creates his videos with a love of history and the type of casual presentation your eccentric neighbor might give. This is no Gen-Z influencer; there are no politics and no rage bait, just a Reno guy doing Reno stuff.
Yes, some of the video titles, like, “We’re GOING INSIDE a casino building that was ABANDONED for 40 years” (the River Inn) and “We’re GOING INSIDE a vacant 1908 building—see evidence of the underground tunnel system in Reno!” are a little sensational, but a guy’s gotta draw views somehow. You’re curious now, aren’t you?
Subscribe to Steve’s channel, and spend afternoon catching up on his content to change the Reno you don’t know into The Reno You Know.
—Marc Tiar
Best Place for a Three-Drink Lunch
Von Bismarck
805 S. Wells Ave., Reno
The art of the three-drink lunch is a delicate balance of enjoying cocktails during lunch, and remaining productive afterward. Too few or too many drinks may send you into the hard-nap trajectory. You must have a combination of excellent and refreshing beverages, with food that is hearty but not too heavy.
Von Bismarck has mastered the art of the three-drink lunch, offering bright, easy-drinking cocktails, smooth classic German beers, and a menu that provides enough protein to soak up the alcohol while still being light enough to get on with your day. The Helen Går—made with house aquavit, cardamom, grapefruit and ginger beer—is like a refreshing, afternoon desert breeze.
Split a schnitzel sandwich and a gem salad with a friend, and pair that with the open-air vibes of this Reno institution, and you get the perfect storm for a midday buzz.
—Michael Moberly
Best Down-to-Clown Merch Printer
TM Print Co.
35 N. Edison Way, No. 3, Reno
Every town needs a print shop that knows how varied groups, from garage bands to local sports teams, need merchandise made. You want to show the world who you are, and what you do, with awesome hats and shirts.
The folks at TM Print Co. have become one of Northern Nevada’s “if you know, you know” print shops, serving everyone from local bands like Bug Bath to the internationally recognized ski company Moment Skis. Their cult status is in part due to their down-to-earth attitude, offering great sales during peak band-touring season, and being willing to track down precisely what you are looking to print or embroider.
If you are looking to get your son’s first drawing printed on a hockey jersey, they are the shop for you.
—Michael Moberly
Best Secret Nook
River School Farm Art Garden
At Aspen Glen Drive and the Truckee River, Reno
Tucked away along the Truckee River, not far from Dorostkar Park and directly across from where Hunter Creek empties, lies one of Reno’s hidden treasures. River School Farm’s permanent art garden transforms this quiet riverside spot into a secret outdoor gallery that somehow feels both intimate and expansive.
This contemplative space features more than a dozen art installations, including unique Burning Man pieces and works by local artists. Whether you’re drawn to the sculptures or simply seeking a peaceful riverside retreat, the garden offers multiple spots to pause, reflect and take in views that capture Reno’s unique character.
What makes this space truly special isn’t just the art—it’s how naturally the pieces sit along the water, with the ever-changing river as backdrop. The light and texture change seemingly every few minutes.
In a city known for its energy and excitement, this quiet corner offers something different: a chance to experience art, nature, and that distinctly Reno spirit all in one magical, tucked-away spot.
—David Rodriguez
Best Hands-Free, Brain-Free Commute
Regional Connector
Rtcwashoe.com
Imagine snuggling into an upholstered seat, cracking open your book, and relaxing while someone else drives you to work. It’s dreamy, right? It’s why I typically take the Regional Transportation Commission’s Reno-Carson Regional Connector bus from Reno to my job in Carson City each day.
On my way to and from work, I listen to an audiobook on my headphones while I knit and watch the beautiful landscape go by, making my commute not just relaxing, but productive.
There are a handful of us, mostly people with state jobs, who use the Regional Connector every day. (I am sure there are Carson City residents who work in Reno and take the bus going in the other direction on a daily basis, too.) We love the quiet, comfortable ride, avoiding traffic, being freed from the monotony of the same daily drive, escaping wear and tear on our own vehicles, and feeling safe in the winter weather.
The Regional Connector line runs three electric buses each morning and afternoon. Reno riders can catch the bus at the three primary stops: the Fourth Street bus station, Meadowood Mall, and Shayden Summit mall; the Carson City stops are at Carson Street and College Parkway, and the Nevada Department of Transportation on Little Lane. The first morning bus arrives in Carson at around 6:45, and the last one arrives at around 7:45. The first afternoon bus returns to Reno at about 5 p.m., and the last one arrives at about 7:30. The full schedule and route map contains more information about times and stops. A single ride costs $5. A10-ride pass is $42.50. You can purchase tickets through the Transit App.
—Sarah Russell
Best Hike Through an Area Burned by Wildfire
Brown’s Creek Trail
3585 Joy Lake Road, Reno
If you’re looking for soothing forest scenery, Brown’s Creek is not the place. This five-mile trail in the Carson Range lies in the footprint of the Davis Fire, which burned 14 residences and almost 6,000 acres in September 2024 and, at one point, seemed poised to cut a deep swath into south Reno.
A year out from the fire, the area still looks blasted, with manzanita, tobacco brush and aspen turned into skeletal forms, and pines charred to blackened poles.
Why am I recommending this trail? Well, despite first appearances, it’s actually great for appreciating living things, because many local plants and animals have evolved to deal with wildfire. On a hike in June, almost every skeletonized shrub and aspen I passed had fresh green sprouts coming up from the roots. And among the many wildflowers and birds were “fire-following” species, such as coyote tobacco and hairy woodpecker, that thrive in burned areas.
Most hikers don’t seek out charred landscapes, so the Brown’s Creek Trail will give you the solitude to fully appreciate the life flourishing in this seemingly apocalyptic place. In that solitude, though, you may also find yourself wondering whether climate change, which has ratcheted up the frequency of wildfires, is hurtling us toward a true apocalypse. Basically, it’s a hike for contemplating both the beauty of life and the horror of the Age of Humans.
—Alan de Queiroz
Best Ceviche
Yellowfin ahi ceviche at La Condesa Eatery
1642 S. Wells Ave., Reno
The first thing you’re likely to notice when La Condesa Eatery’s yellowfin ahi ceviche arrives at your table is the sheer beauty. The bowl is full of bright, bold colors—red and orange from the thinly sliced radishes, green from the avocado, and yellow from the leche de tigre sitting at the bottom. Seriously: Where do they get such a variety of gorgeous radishes?
It seems impossible that the ceviche will taste as good as it looks—but after you take your first bite, you’ll realize that it is indeed quite possible. The fresh, delicious tuna pairs perfectly with the creamy avocado, with the flavors of both enhanced by the tart, citrusy marinade.
I’ve never had a bad bite of food at La Condesa Eatery, where chef Sergio Romero playfully fuses Mexican food with Asian, Italian and other influences. I’ve had dreams about the steak in Black Angus rib eye tacos … but it’s the ceviche I can’t go without ordering during every visit to La Condesa. Yum.
—Jimmy Boegle
Best Unexpected Steak Deal
The Cowboy Steak at The Parlor
7689 S. Virginia St., Reno
The fact that I’m writing this may very well upset some friends of mine, because they’re worried about this secret, which they recently shared with me, getting out. But my duty is to inform you, dear readers—and you really need to know about the Cowboy Steak at The Parlor.
Yes, I am heartily recommending a steak at what is, at its heart, a sports/video poker bar. But the food coming out of The Parlor’s kitchen has always been a notch or three above that of your typical sports bar. It’s long been my go-to place when I’m craving French onion soup, and both the “Royal Poutine” (pro tip: sub the fries for tots) and the nachos are near-perfect sharable appetizers.
But the steak? I’d never have thought of ordering it until my friends endorsed it. It’s a hand-cut 29-ounce bone-in rib eye, with sauteed mushrooms and onions, potato puree and vegetables. As of this writing, it costs $57—much less than you’d pay for a similar meal at a steakhouse, and the steak is better than you’d get at many of them. My friends say it’s always cooked perfectly, usually with just the right amount of seasoning, and the bites I had with these friends on a recent visit confirmed that they’re correct.
A stunning steak at a sports/video poker bar … who knew? Well, my friends did—and now you do, too.
—Jimmy Boegle
Best Independent Optician
Eyeglass Repair
141 Vassar St., Reno
Reno native Mike Grover (aka Margarita Mike in some circles) has been serving the Biggest Little City’s visually impaired at his cozy shop in Midtown since before Midtown was Midtown.
Mike always has a wacky story or a hilarious anecdote to tell about Reno life. He serves up advice and stories like a bartender—from recommendations on what type of guitar strings to use to philosophical meanderings about life in general—only with eyeglasses instead of shot glasses. And, oh yeah, he does repair eyeglasses, and has a line of frames from which to choose. He also creates custom lenses.
I’ve brought in emergency rush jobs, or rather “crush jobs.” The work was finished quickly; the repairs have lasted.
—David Robert
Best Something-for-Everyone Fast Family Dinner
Tasteful Tangle
3683 Kings Row, Reno
Tasteful Tangle is a family-run takeout place, ensconced in the corner of the nondescript strip mall at McCarran Boulevard and Kings Row. The menu is a culinary conundrum, with an eclectic selection.
The somewhat Cajun/Southern-inspired offerings include avocado egg rolls made with black beans and corn; Scotch eggs with honey mustard dressing; trendy smash burgers on a brioche bun with house-made pickles; and comforting mac and cheese. The fried chicken po’ boys are served on fluffy bread layered with coleslaw and remoulade sauce. You can get a quick afternoon pick-me-up snack of PB&J with Nutella, along with an espresso shot, and breakfast is served all day. Check the online menu for a rotating selection of monthly specials.
I’m getting hungry just writing this!
—David Robert
Best Way to Enjoy Lake Tahoe Without Spending a Second Stuck in Traffic
Mount Rose Peak Trail
24750 Mt. Rose Highway, Reno
Many locals already know about the top-of-the-world, 360-degree view from Mount Rose Peak. Many locals also know that, even though the trailhead is just a half-hour drive from south Reno, the trek starts at a lung-challenging 8,900 feet and ascends more than 2,000 feet from there, and is a 10.7-mile roundtrip hike—oh, and the wind at the peak can be ferocious.
What you might not already know is that the same trail also offers lower-commitment options with some surprisingly satisfying payoffs. If you hike just the first half of the trail, 2.4 miles to picturesque Galena Falls, you’ll look down to lakes large and small; lush, verdant meadows; and the same Virginia Range we look up at from the Truckee Meadows.
Even easier: This trail’s best-kept secret is that you can just saunter up the first mile of the trail—or half-mile, even—and the view opens almost immediately. From here, Lake Tahoe is glassy and serene, free of road rage, and framed by summer wildflowers, reminding me just why it attracts the crowds it does.
If you find yourself as charmed by the area as I am, and you don’t want to leave, the forested Mount Rose Campground is across the street, so you can upgrade this modular hike into a quick staycation.
—Kris Vagner