Eleven53 Cafe

Beautiful scenery atop this mountain. Don't go if you have any breathing difficulty. The gondola ride starts at 9000 ft above sea level. You will be at 11,053 ft above sea level here. Not much oxygen at that elevation. (We didn't eat there. We just went for the view and interpretive center)

The views are great! Everything else sucked though. No hot food, no sandwiches, just snack food. We had to go back down the mountain and bring lunch up. It wouldn't have been so bad if they communicated this, but they still advertise the cafe and lunch up here. Lame.

Don’t have any hot food available so we got premade sandwiches and cup of fruit. The fruit cups, in a 10oz cup, were semi-frozen. The bread the sandwiches were on was so hard, I couldn’t eat the whole thing. I got the Italian sandwich and another got the ham. They were not appetizing. Being the only food in the area they do gouge you on price. It was ridiculously expensive. However, the views from the top of Mammoth are spectacular and there are signs all along the windows naming the regions and peaks visible from that point.

We enjoyed the Interpretive Center while we drank Half Hot Chocolate and Half Coffee from the Cafe. Great views of the Mountains surrounding Mamouth Mountain.. Thank You!

I just wish this cafe was a tad higher in elevation, say 11,057? Still, nice spot for a cup of Joe.

This place is at the summit of Mammoth mountain, right below where the scenic Gondola ride drops off. We had the soup and chili, which was very good but definitely over priced. There are not a ton of other choices on the menu but the only restaurant up there, hence the prices. This is more of a quick bite cafe. Views are amazing. Be sure to go out the back doors from past the Interpretive Center and then up to the very top summit for full 360 views and the landmark sign. Perfect photo opp. It seemed like a lot of people missed out on this. Also only one set of bathrooms up here and not very clean (smelly). For a quick bite on the mountain this is fine, but don't go out of your way to eat here. It is not a destination eatery.

We took the gandolas for the scenic ride and had a cup of coffee at the top. Beautiful views from all angles. This is the jump off for the slopes, highest point, so if you don't like heights this may not be for you.

Had the turkey BLT. The sandwich was just ok. The turkey was fairly flavorless. The bacon and tomato were good. The bun was passable. The staff that prepared it were nice and friendly.

It is at the top of the mountain at Mammoth. Of course the menu is limited. Of course it can be pricy. But it was good enough for me. Three of us ate here and we each got a variety of grilled cheese sandwich plus tomato soup. Soup was good and sandwiches were alright too. The also had a couple of salads on the menu. Plus some chili. And some cold sandwiches too. They also offered a variety of chips and drinks. And some snacks. The view while we were eating earned this it's 4th star.

Good service but a couple hours after open ran out of a lot of their food options. Expensive for the portions. Sandwich very small

I think I expected more from the Eleven53 cafe after riding the gondola up to the top of the mountain...the views were great, but the menu was really limited. Order at the counter (just like all of the other lodges... no table service). Indian inspired wraps & Asian noodle bowls (too bad they had sold out of the bowls by 1pm.). So hubby & I each ordered the chicken naan wrap. The chicken & naan by themselves were fairly good. However, in terms of veggies (we really are healthy dining nuts) there might have been a tiny amount of cucumber in the yogurt raita. Kids ordered the hot dog (grilled, so received high marks on that) and Mac n cheese (very satisfactorily cheesy). However... still no fruit or vegetable to be seen. A lot of people were taking up tables, lounging, eating their own food so we had a really tough time finding a table (there is VERY limited seating so that was extremely annoying) but when we did get a table, it came with a nice view. I'll stick with Canyon Lodge for healthy dining choices in the future.

The prices here are outrageous. I spent $67 on 3 kids hotdogs, 3 bags of chips, 1 small bowl of chili, and 4 drinks. SIXTY. SEVEN. DOLLARS. Now, I don't mind spending $67 on dinner for my family, but I expect they will be filled and satisfied for that price, which they were not. "Gourmet chips" (which are actually a straight up bag of 1.75 oz Doritos) will set you back $4.50.

2 bowls for chilli for $17!! Bother me? NO! If I'm eating at the Top of the Sierra Cafe, that means I'm at the top of Mammoth where the black diamond/snow enthusiasts are. You can only get there by gondola. You can take the Gondola down or slide down on your board or skis. This cafe is tiny and doesn't offer much - but it's decent. A hot bowl of chilli when it's cold and windy is a nice touch before hurling yourself down the mountain. It is pricey but it is what it is. If I'm up there in the snow, I'm having a blast and I'm not letting something like money bring me down.

Cashier was really cool. The scenery alone is 5 stars. The education center at the top is great for families. Staff all along the gondola path were friendly. Next time you head to the top of Mammoth Mountain. Tell em Bodie sent ya!

We took the gondala up from the main lodge to McCoy, then continued up to the top at Eleven53 Cafe. I got a chicken tikka wrap sans the wrap for my son and it was good. Really small but fun area and the info section has cool history on the mountain and about animals.

Cool place. If you only goonce to the Summit, come here for a few beers and the restaurant views.

Yeah, they should really call this the "BadA$$ Cafe" haha Cafe for hardcore skiers and snowboarders cause you must be pretty insanely crazy at what you do to be up this high. Super crazy winds & conditions. I lost my Flip on Dave's Run & that was only 1Black Diamond. This place has like 3 runs by it - 1 black diamond and the other 2 black diamonds on the other side. Food? Not sure, wasn't hungry after feeling how crazy the wind was when blowing our gondola back & forth. Yeah, only way to get up there is the gondola and its only open when weather permits. Website Info: Located at an amazing 11,053 ft. with stunning 360 degree views of the Minarets and all surrounding peaks, the Top of the Sierra is the perfect venue to host a cocktail and hors d'oeuvre reception or wedding ceremony. While your guests watch the sunset we will tempt their palates with world-class cuisine. Finish the evening there or descend to one of our other breathtaking venues and continue the festivities. * Located at the top of Mammoth Mountain, 11,053ft * Accessible by an 10 minute gondola ride

Felt the need to review because I found the other reviews a little misleading. We almost didn't ride the gondola to the top and get a drink after reading through all the reviews but we decide to anyway just to kill some time. So here's the deal, we went New Year's Eve after a bunch of snow dumped (so very busy) and there was ample amount of seating between the inside/outside tables. People are constantly getting up and we easily snagged a spot as did everyone else I noticed. Also, it's basically a full bar. I mean somewhat limited but liquor and cocktails, 12 different canned beers, 5 or so beers on tap. Yes a little pricey but honestly Compared to Orange County/LA it's pretty consistent for what you see there (My bloody was $12 and actually very good...and I'm very judgmental of my bloodies haha) We didn't try food but I could see that it's probably a little subpar but If you're looking to ride the gondola for some views and grab a drink, definitely do it.

I came here with my boyfriend's family while we were on vacation to Mammoth; we all got the ride and meal combo ($38 per person for youth). A meal ticket is $9 in addition to the ride cost, depending on which day you go. You get a sandwich, a side, and one drink with your meal ticket. The sandwich options were: tri-tip, bbq pulled pork, turkey breast, chicken, and grilled cheese. The side options were chips, potato salad, and pasta salad (only kids get a cup of fruit as an option for sides). And drinks were hot cocoa, coffee, or a soft drink. These were only options for the meal ticket, you can purchase other food as well. The sandwich was more like a burger and everything except the meat comes on the side of the plate so you can choose to put in what you want. The potato salad was in giant chunks and covered in mayonnaise didn't really taste like anything. The pasta salad was similar, covered in an oil seasoning but with absolutely no flavor. Overall, I give it a 3. It was an average meal but not worth it if you purchase the food on your own and not with the ride and meal combo.

I took the family here today 7/9/19 on the Scenic Gondola trip. I paid $83 for 2 adults and the kids were free. The Gondola ride was fun but the meal at the Eleven53 Cafe was the worst meal that I have ever had on my life! We order the wrap, one chicken and one beef plus a grilled cheese for the kids. The wraps both LOOKED AND TASTED LIKE DOG FOOD. We ended up throwing the wraps into the trash. GARBAGE FOOD and a very limited exotic and poor menu. I would advise everyone, DO NOT EAT AT THIS DIRTY DINING - ELEVEN53 place. You are warned! TRASH FOOD.

Food is pretty decent. You have to give Mammoth credit for building a relatively huge complex 11,053 feet high on the summit of blistering cold, windy mountain. Skiing is great up here. Check my other review about Mammoth Lakes Ski Mountain.

Newly renamed Elevation 1153, the Top of the Sierra remains California's highest eatery, with a view that in itself far outstrips any work of man. Mammoth Mountain took advantage of its finest asset in the early 2000s when the upper gondola station was revamped and expanded to incorporate a cafe and interpretive center, and in so doing transformed what was originally the domain of expert skiers and mountain bikers into a tourist trap. But a good one. It takes about 15 minutes for the ride to the summit, which, one should note, requires a ticket (though if you want to bypass the fare you could hump it up the five mile climb to the summit on foot and reward yourself with food upon your arrival.) During the peak summer months, such as this past July 4 weekend, it appears that such fare causes very few to take pause - the place seems perpetually packed, which is a problem because there is extremely limited seating. The menu is quite small - chile bread bowls and a soup of the day, a turkey sandwich, a roast beef sandwich, and wraps of the same, and a rotating daily special (I sampled the chicken tacos), along with a selection of caffeinated beverages. The culinary offerings are the same as during the winter months, when the Top of the Sierra plays host to a completely different brand of clientele. And just like everything else on Mammoth Mountain, there is a heck of a premium - you won't likely get out of here without paying at least $15 a person on food. That said, the quality of the food is only acceptable. The chicken tacos were generously portioned, with a heavily seasoned chicken laced with shredded cheddar cheese and lettuce. No avocado to be had up here, unfortunately. The turkey melt sandwich was also generously portioned, with melted swiss cheese and sourdough rounding out the filler. Nothing is terribly great, nothing is terribly bad. The service was friendly enough. You don't come up here for the culinary offerings, but rather for the view, which goes on forever. The interpretive center attached to the restaurant has been augmented with new displays this summer, including an exhibit on natural history with some touch-able animal furs, a 3-d relief map of the entire Sierra Nevada, and interactive exhibits. There is also a new theater attached to the gondola building where one can view a number of rotating films (if you get a chance "Mammoth Dreams: The Dave McCoy Story" is without a doubt the best of the group. Pick up a DVD copy if you can find one at any of the stores in town.) A number of other displays pick out natural features and landmarks. Random Fact: Contrary to Mammoth Mountain lore, Half Dome is NOT visible from the summit of Mammoth Mountain. The imposter rock formation is actually "Balloon Dome" deep in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. If you want to see Yosemite, look north to Mt. Lyell and its glacier. Top of the Sierra/1153 is first and foremost a viewpoint and educational center. It is, secondly, a restaurant. An okay restaurant. No more, no less. Come up for the view and find sustenance, but don't expect to be wowed.

I love this place workers are very friendly love there new wraps! I love mammoth ! Had a great experience small relaxing cafe.

Just finished a black diamond and stopped here for a beer and a snack. Amazing spot in the middle of the mountain. Views are insane! Atmosphere is warm and welcoming. You have to check ot out

This place was terrible. First of all while we were waiting on the two workers to prepare our sandwiches the cashier came over and picked up someone elses sandwiches that were in these small paper plate bowls and to hold this he placed his thumbs on top of the sandwiches, no gloves on! I can only imagine how dirty his hands were. Also, I saw one of the employees working in the kitchen handling the food and again no gloves on. Disgusting after I see her scratch her head then handle the food. I ordered the veggie sandwich. I took two bites and threw it out. The bread was so hard and stale, and the contents consisted of half of an unripe tomato, one lettuce leaf, one 3 inch piece of a red pepper and two strings of an onion. I ordered "pasta" salad for my side and I guess their idea of pasta salad was macaroni salad. No way was I touching that stuff. Also, there are dogs laying all over the place in here on the already filthy carpet. Never again would I eat here.