"This classic Yucca Valley bar and restaurant, perched behind the still-active Yucca Valley Airport, has what it takes to be a draw for both locals and travelers in the Joshua Tree area. Diners seeking a fuller meal can sit in its carpeted, string-light-lit dining room with a distinctly 1970s living room vibe. Here, they may share dishes like garlic shrimp toast with togarashi butter; a crunchy napa cabbage salad inflected with Vietnamese flavors; and the burger, made even fattier with bone marrow. Visitors can cozy up to the bar for the same menu and order off the compelling cocktail list, which includes high balls, tiki-ish drinks, and martinis. The crew also prepares hotcakes or a filling steak and eggs for weekend brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m." - Matthew Kang