Dad's Luncheonette

“We strive to provide a unique dining experience that is accessible to all. We started with something classically American and humble – a hamburger on sliced white bread – and elevated the ingredients to break the misconception that eating well needs to be fancy and/or expensive. We are a very casual roadside stand on Highway 1, and this context informs our menu. Eating while on the road is often a drag and an excuse to eat poorly, but we strive to highlight the amazing, fresh food that comes out of the area.”

Hamburger sandwich with white cheddar cheese, red oak lettuce, homemade pickled red onions, and a free-range local egg; weekly soup; herb salad with herbs, root vegetables, and edible flowers.

A train caboose parked next to a highway might not seem the most likely location for one of Northern California’s best dining experiences, but Dad’s packs plenty of surprises into its tiny confines. Owned by Scott Clark, a former chef de cuisine at San Francisco’s Saison, and his partner Alexis Liu, Dad’s is an update on the roadside stand. On sunny days, eager patrons form a line from Dad’s fifteenseat patio for a taste of California’s good life.

“Their version of a classic roadside stand speaks with a distinct California accent ... But this is not food that puts on airs. If anything, it puts ideas in your head.” –Rebecca Flint Marx, The New York Times