River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant

Californian restaurant · Placer County

River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant

Californian restaurant · Placer County
2285 River Rd, Tahoe City, CA 96146

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River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null
River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant by null

Highlights

Rustic-chic lodge with river views, upscale restaurant, and patio  

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2285 River Rd, Tahoe City, CA 96146 Get directions

riverranchlodge.com
@riverranchlodge

$$ · Menu

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2285 River Rd, Tahoe City, CA 96146 Get directions

+1 530 583 4264
riverranchlodge.com
@riverranchlodge

$$ · Menu

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Last updated

Sep 4, 2025

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Jeff Meyer

Google
This review is for patio dining, we’ve never stayed at the motel. We enjoyed our lunch on the patio overlooking the river and appreciated the dog friendly atmosphere. Being right on the Truckee River trail it’s a handy stopping point for a meal or drink. They only had a single restroom open when we were there so a bit of a line up.

Rhett Jordan

Google
Amazing place for food or drinks. It overlooks the river exit for most of the tubers and rafters so it's always got something going on. The drinks are good, and the bartender was awesome. The only complaint is the price is steep even for Tahoe! $20 for some cocktails, $8+ for beers. Definitely a fun place though. Very chill.

mashikian

Google
Our recent experience at River Ranch restaurant, following a day of river activities, presented several challenges. Despite an initial positive impression, including commendable service from the bar staff, our dining experience was significantly impacted by a prolonged delay in food service, exceeding one hour. Furthermore, we were informed that our seating area was designated for a reservation scheduled to begin within thirty minutes. While we accommodated this, the food remained delayed for an additional twenty-five minutes. Subsequently, without providing an explanation, Manager Alex Monshin removed our food and indicated he was contacting law enforcement. Despite our calm demeanor and lack of any disruptive behavior, the manager declined to engage in further discussion or offer a refund.. This was the worst experience due to the manager. Our group was 4 RN’s in their 60’s and 3 of us are locals in the area. We spent 160 dollars and had our food thrown away by the manager Alex Monshin. We called our credit card companies and had the charge cancelled as we did not get to eat our meal. We have never been treated so disrespectfully ever. No customer service here by the manager.

Yuriy Cherkashin

Google
Great right next to the river which makes it look absolutely beautiful! If you want to river boat, everything is right here. I totally recommend this place. The room was cleaned every day. I haven’t tried anything in their restaurant; so, I cannot really comment anything on it. The front desk manager Danial was awesome, welcoming and very accommodating. I really enjoyed staying at this place. My family will be back here. Thank you guys.

Carlie Haslett

Google
I have never been so disappointed in a dining experience in my life. For a restaurant that has been high on my list to visit, I am absolutely appalled at how unorganized and downright rude this place is. They literally took the food off our table and threw it away since the table was needed for a prior reservation which we understood. They took over an hour to get us our food. We figured we could just take our food to go if the time ran over. But nope, no explanation, no apology, nothing. Just snatched it up off the table and tossed it and said we needed to go. The staff seemed completely overwhelmed, snapping at customers instead of helping, and the manager Alex was no better, condescending, dismissive, and clearly unable to manage the chaos happening in their own restaurant. It is one thing to have a busy day, but it is another to treat paying customers like an inconvenience and then act like it is somehow our fault for expecting basic service. The vibe is chaotic, the staff is disorganized, and the management is clueless. Save your money and your time. There are plenty of other places that actually appreciate their customers and know how to run a restaurant. I am beyond disappointed.

J R

Google
Absolutely Amazing! Heaven on Earth! Awesome location, great patio area with live music and overlooking the Truckee river with rafts, swimming, and tubing. While I didn't stay at the lodge, the location of units have great views of the mountains and river. The 1/4 pounder Angus Beef burger was excellent. I highly recommend it. Again, a spectacular location!

Richard Terry

Google
Delightful classic motel, updated some and well kept up. Great location next to Truckee River. Restaurant in lodge or 10 minutes from Tahoe City and Truckee. River rafting ends at lodge so lively summer outdoor patio/bar, live music. Quiet after 9:30pm. Very reasonable price for Tahoe. Have been coming here for decades.

Andy Adams

Google
We stopped to eat here before rafting down the Truckee river. The food and drinks were great and we enjoyed the cool breeze coming off the water and watching all the rafters coming down the rapids. We would definitely recommend River Ranch to start or end you rafting experience.
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Teuila G.

Yelp
Rented a home over the weekend for a quick little getaway down the street from here, so we stopped in for a quick bite on the way home. It's going to be a Winter must after my busy holiday schedule. We always stop in at River ranch during the winter months and always our last stop from floating the river in the Summer. It's a great place for a cocktail, small bites or full meals. Do check out their happy hour menu for times. We ordered fries, pork sliders and nachos for the road and picked up since we were in a rush to get back into town to get ready for school and the work week. My family and I enjoyed a quiet remote stay. Sometimes it's nice to unwind and unplug from our busy day to day schedules/wifi and being connected. It was a nice reset and like I said we will be back sooner than later. This will be an annual stay and River ranch will be our final detour while we're here or on the way home. We were starving and rushing. My photos were blurry and we scarfed everything down. If you're here in the Summer, sit on their patio. Enjoy the scenery and take a load off with a cold one. If you're looking for family fun in the Summer floating out of Tahoe city/ renting a raft is safe activity for the whole family and ends up here at River Ranch Lodge where you can catch your shuttle or lunch or dinner depending on how quickly you float. We always time it to mid day so we can have dinner here before going home.
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Denise P.

Yelp
It's a shame really, the ambiance and history of this place is great, but the food and service was super disappointing. It took 20 mins for a beer and dirty martini to be delivered, only to be served without olives?!? The steak was rare in the middle and well done on the edges, the scallops were a bit under and we had to wait for my sons burger because another server had taken it off the pass and given it to another customer. The nachos to start were yummy tho and our server tried very hard to make things right. Needless to say, we won't be going back.
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Jashua P.

Yelp
QUICK CLARIFICATION: This is a review for summertime on the deck. The place offers a very different experience, if you visit in the winter or eat indoors and order a nice steak. Summertime chillin? This is THE place to sit in the shade and party with friends, eat, and drink cocktails by the river. Burgers n fries were good. Service was quick enough even on a busy weekend. Very friendly puppies allowed on the deck. The bathroom outside the deck patio is pretty 3rd world though, so perhaps hold it till you get home. If they built nice bathrooms, replaced the outdoor furniture with something more professional and comfortable to sit in, they would have a more consistent experience between outside and inside dining. The place has legit potential.
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Maybeline C.

Yelp
The manager will send you a message just to tell you off because you wrote a bad review. I'll never give this place business again, seems they don't like people like me lol. Also not worth the money, pricey food that's not that great and just straight bad customer service and attitude. Did he not believe I tried flagging staff down? I stated why in my updated review but it took a whole 10min just for a staff to grab utensils after our food had came also the whole dinner was a waiting game despite the table that sat after us that got served before us. Anytime we wanted to find someone no one was to be found and when we did ask for service, the attitude is rude, so tell me why would I even want to give any feedback at the restaurant when the whole dinner was not great especially service. Not sure why there's so many five and four star reviews but this place is definitely not worth it unless you want to pay for an expensive rude unpleasant dinner experience.
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Chrisy H.

Yelp
Ate here again for dinner. This time we had Poblano soup, it was muy delicioso! Asa is best, friendliest waiter I've ever had. This review is for the restaurant. Stayed at the RR for three days. Had dinner one night and glad we did. The restaurant opens at 5:00 and serves great food! Our waiter Stewart was great. He explained the menu, the daily specials & made some recommendations. We started off with a large carafe of water, homemade biscuits & butter. We shared a bowl of delicious corn chowder & the stroganoff with mushrooms & tenderloin, was delicious. The ambiance is awesome. We had a seat by the window with a beautiful view of the Truckee river running by. Eat table had a nice candle, a lil romantic. The best part is they are EXTREMELY dog friendly! This review is on the lodge. We stayed in room 23. Awesome location that over looks the terrace & the water. It has a king size bed, mini frig, Keurig & TV. It was perfect for the three of us (we brought out Bichon). They provide grab n go breakfast that is so convenient when you have to head out early. We had cold cereal, bagels, fruit, coffee & juice. In the afternoon they have the patio open with full bar & food. They have live music & sell lodge apparel & souvenirs. Best part is watching rafters & kayakers come down the Truckee river.
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Scott F.

Yelp
Hosted my dads 80th here while the family was on vacation in Tahoe and it was a fantastic evening. The patio in the summer is gorgeous along the river and we started the meal with brussel sprouts, bread and shrimp with a Spanish wine followed by salads, halibut, short rib and pasta and one family member had the scallops. The food is really good! It isn't a James Beard experience but Tahoe isn't throat kind of vibe it's food you love to eat with family and truthfully I was envious or the table next to us that had the best looking nachos I had seen in some time but our night was a little less casual so I stray from the classics. I will be back to try those nachos
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Kathleen E.

Yelp
Exceptional service and delicious food. The bartender Conner is a delight and goes the extra mile to make you happy!!

Cindy F.

Yelp
Wow! Simone made our dinner into a special occasion! She was personable, witty and very efficient! Of course the food was superb, as always. We will be back, but only if Simone is working.

Samantha W.

Yelp
As a resident of the area, I chose the River Ranch Lodge to take my guests for a fun Tahoe experience after a day at the slopes. However, based on how the waitress treated us, we will never go back. I realize it was the holiday season, and they were busy. Honestly, they are always busy. This does not excuse her from her actions. She was extremely vocal about how busy she was and that she was having her "A#$ handed to her". When we asked for the ETA on our food, she again expressed how busy she was, told us that we hadn't been there long (51 minutes), and that if we were unhappy then we should just leave. To be clear, I can look past that this is not fine dining and that the prices are high for the lack of quality of the food. Yet, to be spoken to so rudely is unacceptable. She is a poor representation of an establishment that has a long standing in the community. The manager made his best effort at the end to correct all of this, but in the told us she was a long time employee and there was not much he could do about her. If you do go, expect a long wait for your food, expensive prices, average quality, and the potential of being treated poorly.
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Brittany T.

Yelp
This establishment and their staff saved me and my dumb friends and they all deserve their flowers. Seriously would have been stranded without their quick acting help. Got out of the river and realized our car wouldn't start to get us back to the river drop in. The staff was quick to help us call a ride (after bus hours), and give us the info we needed. While we waited we had a few drinks & snacks, all were amazing. We all agreed that we can't wait to come back in a less ridiculous situation. The bar & restaurant itself are beautiful, with killer views of the river. Huge shout out to Alex behind the bar, service was killer, he truly went above and beyond for us!
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Sabrina B.

Yelp
I'm honestly taken aback reading so many 4-5 star reviews. My experience was VASTLY underwhelming. The food was mediocre relevant to the price. The service was really where it took the extra hit. Being a holiday period (4th of July), we were extra patient, and that was taken advantage of. We were initially contacted for beverages, and went ahead and ordered at the same time. Drinks came a bit later and then some bread. We had a few rounds of water refills. Our waitress NEVER came by again. Over 25 minutes passed and we finally, after several attempts, flagged our waitress down. We asked if she had an idea of when our entrees would be ready. She said she would check with the kitchen. Several minutes passed and she returned. The ticket system ran out of paper and our entree tickets were lost. She was not made aware by the kitchen so they were just skipped over for a half hour. She said they would be made quick and she would offer us an appetizer. My wife opted for a side salad. I was ok with our bread. Another 15 or so minutes passed and our entrees came. No salad was delivered. Our meals were cold. I ordered scallops and they were rushed to cook. The quick sear on top still left the inside lukewarm. The additions to the plate were lukewarm at best also. My wifes meal was a tad better and much warmer, but both were clearly rushed. Halfway through our mediocre meals, my wifes "cancellation appetizer" was delivered. After all of that, the waitress asked how it was. I was direct and told her it was cold and clearly rushed. She said "Sorry but I can't do any refunds. My manager said only the salad can be comped." I was not seeking a refund. I was seeking someone with open ears and compassion for my customer service experience at their hands. Nothing. We paid the bill and went to find dessert (and food because I was still hungry) somewhere else. I will not be back.
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Todd H.

Yelp
Hostess was extremely rude to my wife, mom and children after coming off a great trip on the river. Their staff is incompetent and the main person who is hilariously named "Turbo" looks and acts like Stevie from Eastbound and Down. They are disrespectful to anyone not from Truckee and the food came out at a snails pace and wasn't good at all. Cold and undercooked. Place needs a total overhaul of its staff.
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Marilyn D.

Yelp
Great evening at the River Ranch Restaurant. Sat outside and listened to the river running by and a gentleman on the guitar. Peaceful. Dinner was GREAT! We had Elk, Bison and Pork - Sprouts and Tuna for appetizers - and couldn't pass up the Basque Cheesecake and Creme Brule. Seriously - the worst thing I could say about the meal - the Creme Brule topping could have been a little more brule'd. The meal, service and ambience were all 100%
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Ayall S.

Yelp
Solid 3 star joint. Came to dinner with some friends (in the winter), the interior space is nice and has that rustic cabin feel -- definitely a nice chill vibe. The service staff were friendly and mostly attentive. Not a large variety of beers to select from, and the drinks they do have are very "meh." The food seemed a bit pricey, but I figured it's Lake Tahoe -- you're getting charged the "tourist tax." Most of us ordered the burgers, and my friend who had been there before said order it medium-rare if you want it medium; which we did, and sure enough it came medium. Not one of the better burger I've ever had, but certainly not the worst either. Another friend ordered a salad and the serving size was fairly large, but the taste wasn't anything spectacular. Like I said, all-in-all, solid 3 star. Apparently in the summer they have live music and open up the outdoor space which overlooks the river; so we'll swing back by and check it out then -- perhaps try something else on the menu (I'm told the Bison Short Ribs are worth trying, and perhaps also the Elk Chops).
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Amanda M.

Yelp
I found this little spot on IG and I'm glad we stopped in for some drinks. We had already had lunch so we didn't get to opportunity to try the counter service lunch, but the Horny Marg was delicious! I do have to say when you first drove up to this location it doesn't look like much, we were a little skeptical as it didn't resemble the video I saw online. BUT when you head out back to the patio it's another story. Super cute patio with large bar and plenty of seating for happy hour or lunch.
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Steve M.

Yelp
wow, sit on the outside deck. awesome views. if you are here in October thru Thanksgiving nice Happy Hour, Great Drinks and reasonable pricing! Mixed bag on meals and service. Sometimes exceptional and other times disappointing. I'd suggest stop in early for a drink and a snack at happy hour. if you get a good experience stick around and order dinner if not. Go into town try one of the other places
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Andrea T.

Yelp
Came here for thanksgiving and ate a really good meal. We ordered a 3 course meal with lobster bisque as the appetizer, turkey and mushroom pasta as the entree, and pumpkin pie and cheesecake for the dessert. Everything was cooked to perfection. The entire restaurant including the table next to us either kept complimenting the food or saying how full they were. I saw everyone leave with boxes of leftovers and in a good mood.
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Harry S.

Yelp
Review is for lunch. Dinner looked more promising. The food was 1/5 based on burger and ceviche. Low quality, no flavor, for high price. Lunch is outdoor seat yourself, and you choose from the menu on the board. They give you a number, while you wait for the food. Burger was dry, no salt or pepper or seasoning. The ceviche tasted so bland, we had to ask for more limes...other than that ambiance is nice. There's a little creek running through the hotel next to the restaurant. Parking was easy, and restrooms were nice though. After lunch, I don't think I can come back for dinner. They need to uo the lunch game.
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Jennifer C.

Yelp
After a long morning of floating down the Truckee, there is nothing better than ordering up a huge platter of RR's Famous Ranch Nacho's for the table. Don't forget a pitcher of River Rum Punch to sooth the pain of the lack of sunblock you failed to pack. These guys have finally figured out what so many restaurants can't seem to figure out: Nacho's need layers. (Cha-Ching!) They don't just toss the cheese and meat on top and call it a day - these bad boys are strategically and thoughtfully put together (finally!!!) by layering the perfect combination of cheese, meat, beans, and chips rather than tossing it all on top leaving you with a pile of dry chips to stare at. Also, always order my kids a giant plate of fries that go quickly. THANK YOU RR!!!! My kids are fighting for the last bite every time. There's also no better deck to spend an afternoon on, I've been coming here with my parents since the 80's, now I bring my own kids. This place is close to my heart! Thanks for the memories.
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Jimmy Y.

Yelp
Great location, absolutely awful food. Skip eating and just grab a drink after rafting, bike, or hiking.
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Corinna F.

Yelp
Absolutely the worst lunch spot you can go to in the tahoe/Truckee area. Sooo disappointing. Food is terrible and pricey for the crappy quality. Meat bees are everywhere on the patio. Don't waste your money here. Tables are dirty.

Albert M.

Yelp
How is this place rated 3 stars??? 10/10. We came here on a Monday night in early summer. Admittedly the restaurant was not very full but that did not diminish the experience at all. This place is a classic in all the best senses of the word. Fantastic cocktails. Approachable wine list. Great food with generous portions (split them, trust me). The service was warm and attentive, starting with a great hostess. The space is warm and inviting and just reeks of charm. The riverside seating is absolutely special. I can't wait to come back.
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Greg S.

Yelp
I'm a local and had the most unexpected service experience tonight. The host was exceptionally rude when asking to grab a table at the patio restaurant. She was unapologetic and just mean. Embarrassed if she is treating other customers that way.

A3ch Music H.

Yelp
Excellent lamb shank and awesome cheese plate. I really liked the service and attendance of the waitress. Definitely I recommend this cozy and awesome.
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Tommy J.

Yelp
In the summertime, I always take my kids to Tahoe city and we float down the river. We usually get out right next to this lodge. We've always wanted to try this place, however it is usually packed in the summertime. So when I had to drive up to Truckee and do some business, my wife and I decided to stop in. They have happy hour from 3 PM to 5 PM. They have five dollar well drinks, five dollar beer, $8 wine, $10 special drinks and some appetizers and food at a reduced price. Sam was our waitress and she greeted us right away. Very cheery and friendly. The bar tender, Rojek, was quite friendly also. The bar/restaurant is 'lodge-like' and quite beautiful. There are huge windows to see beautiful nature while you sip away. What we ordered: Margarita Mai tai Calamari Chop house burger (medium) The drinks were good. I did have the bartender add some Grand Marnier for a $4 up charge as I like a Cadillac Margherita. The food was good, the beef was well done, however, my wife didn't send it back as it was still tender. She enjoy it. It had a nice char broiled flavor. If I take the job up at Truckee, this will be my after work happy hour stop for sure. Good service, good food and happy hour prices... Can't beat
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AmErica A.

Yelp
My husband and I spent a few days in Incline Village, Tahoe and on our way home wanted to stop and eat something substantial to sustain the 4 hour drive home. So to Yelp I go..... Found this place and in looking at the pics fell inlove with the view. I know it's techinically winter and they probably weren't going to be seating any one outside but if we got a window view I'd be happy and that we did! Since it was a Monday I checked to see if there was a Happy Hour menu and there was. So we had already decided on what we wanted by the time we arrived. We were seated immediately. Allowed to choose the table of our liking. We sat at a great big window at a table for 4 adorned with a nice crisp white table cloth and cute little table lamp to set the perfect mood. The only thing missing was the sound of the wrestling waters. We ordered the brussel sprouts with shishito peppers dusted with parmesane and drizzled in an onion aioli. Delicious! The brussel sprouts had that crispy charred bits that you can't deny but love about brussel sprouts. The shishito peppers weren't spicy at all and had a muted flavor to them, I could have did without them. Now on to the $13 Chophouse Angus Burger we both ordered. The meat was so juicy and thick. The veggies crisp and fresh. The bun was lightly toasted and buttered. It came with a huge helping of fries. We had plenty to take home. I would love to come back during the summer time to be able to sit on the patio and watch people play in the water and see the water run through there.
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Michelle J.

Yelp
Okay here is the deal. Yes this place is dated, and a bit run down - but the view and ambiance is worth it. I'm sitting on a rustic balcony right over the patio and river. A musician is playing (and singing) cool 60-70's vibes on his guitar and there is a light breeze. Heaven. This historic lodge is right on the Truckee River path -so you can walk or bike for literally miles - steps outside your room. Also the bend in the river where the hotel sits has a natural pool to swim in - it's beautiful. The rooms (at least ours) - is clean and kept up. Nothing special - but the showers are clean, the bed is comfortable enough. You can certainly get a hotel or be at the resorts for something more upscale but you will not have the same experience (I get the 3 stars - but I'm giving this a 4 for the location!). If they did a few more updates it would be a 5.
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Cody A.

Yelp
We sat inside next to the river. As the sunset, the section of room was pretty dark. Service was good. We enjoyed French onion soup, wild boar chops (texture was like duck breast), and black cod (texture like sea bass) with citrus.

J H.

Yelp
Great ( very casual ) lunch patio spot by the river! Food was pretty good-we shared a salad and hot dog lunch with beer. It hit the spot that day. Nice that live music was playing! Very relaxing:).
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Ron R.

Yelp
Expensive poorly made cocktails Poor cleanliness don't even think about using the bathrooms off the restaurant Mediocre and pricey food. Slow service. If you want a meal to complain about this is your kind of place.
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Shannon C.

Yelp
Food was awful, drinks and atmosphere were decent. Service was good. Not sure who's in the kitchen before dinner but I definitely didn't go back based on nachos with chicken and French fries. It takes effort to screw up fries. Soggy and cold. I could see this place from my vacation rental and was very excited to try several menu items. Lunch and dinner. Very disappointed to say the least.
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Lauren W.

Yelp
This review is a bit behind schedule, but certainly needed to be written. My partner and I had a terrible experience here, and will never recommend this location to anyone. SAVE YOUR MONEY. The owners need to revamp the entire staff, as they are unprofessional, rude, and extremely poor representatives for the establishment. After a long raft down the Truckee River, we were fully expecting to take advantage of this place, which advertised itself well for such a complete 180° in experience. Weird seating rules, under-staffed, chaotic atmosphere, overpriced (which isn't even the worst thing for a tourist spot), and underwhelming. Pack your lunches etc., you'll be much happier you did. OWNER: IF YOU ARE READING THIS - PLEASE, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND REMEDY THESE ISSUES! TRULY ATROCIOUS.
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Heather M.

Yelp
Amazing views! If you want to be immersed along the river while eating a delicious meal this place is for you :)

Sarah B.

Yelp
Not thrilled with my service today. The bussers were kind. However I received a flat soda and went to the bar, as that's where you had to order during lunch, the bartender was very rude and told me it was impossible as he had poured it from a can, not the case, his partner used the soda dispenser, once she admitted to it, he then changed his attitude towards me.
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Steve R.

Yelp
I had a blast here, super relaxing time, even though it was a big storm weekend starting March 3rd. I came up only expecting to ride one day, both Saturday and Sunday were either closed or very limited in terms of what was open, so extended my stay and rode Monday and it was epic. Oh, and I can bring my dog. Rocks. The people at the hotel, restaurant and bar were all very cool, I had a sublime experience eating and drinking there. Everyone I met was genuine, smiling and in general interested in making sure you enjoy your stay, meal, drink, whatever, and not in that cloying, obsequious, overly done kind of way you get at some places. It was real. My dinner was great (bison chops), every cocktail I ordered was spot on (thanks Turbo and Conner) and my room was perfect. As far as the few negative reviews I saw here and on Google, all I can say is that my experience was entirely the opposite. Perhaps some people should focus on being better customers and human beings and less on how rushed their service is in a pandemic, or whether is a spider nearby their table. Yeesh. I'll be coming back here again for sure.
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Kylie S.

Yelp
I've been coming here my entire life, since the 80s. Just went with my family a couple days ago and was very disappointed. Service was nonexistent, garbage cans overflowing, and prices were just ridiculous. We spent $63 for a hotdog and fries, nachos with a side of chicken, and a shrimp ceviche. The side of chicken was some sort of shredded mass that came in 2 tiny plastic cups. The shrimp in the ceviche was with baby shrimp, not what one would expect for the price. I picked up trash that was scattered around the property. Someone came to clean off our table only to wipe the debris to the ground. Love the scene, the drinks, music, and of course the River. But the quality of the service and food is down in the dumps. The young staff needs training and the adults behind the bar could drop the attitude. I seriously hope management doesn't expect to rest on their laurels much longer. I'm not the only one who won't return if things don't improve.
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Jill L.

Yelp
You all know me enough to know I have a lot of patience when it comes to my reviews of restaurants. This restaurant has some real issues. Apparently the wait staff is overwhelmed and under staffed. That is what I heard an employee say to the table in front of me. My personal experience is that I was ignored for about 20 minutes and had to go to the bar to ask for a glass of water. My server didn't appear for 20 minutes even though I was literally the first person seated for dinner (5:15, I was early). Can you really be overwhelmed that fast? He asked if I was ready to order. I didn't know there were dinner "specials" until I heard him offer them to the table in front of me, seated about 30 minutes later. Nor did he ask me how I wanted my meat prepared (e.g. rare or well done). It arrived rare (ick). Look, I can go on, ad nauseum, but I won't. Suffice it to say, it didn't go well. Bob (GM), let's keep it real. You need to fix your problems. Don't ask those on Yelp to come back for a better experience (we are on vacation, not locals); it's not happening. Fix the problems and you'll get better reviews.
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Vanessa K.

Yelp
Excellent dinner and gorgeous ambience. Maybe the low rating is to deter people from going there? We went on a Saturday during peak Summer season, managed to snag a later dinner reservation the day of. When we later called to change it to an earlier time, they nicely accommodated us. We had the Brussels sprouts and Beet salad for appetizers, both were delicious and portions were huge. Definitely recommend sharing! For mains we had the halibut, bison short ribs, elk chops, and stroganoff. All of the mains were very good. Portions again were gigantic, so either come with a very healthy appetite or else you'll have plenty for leftovers the next day! The outside seating on the patio by the River was absolutely lovely. The overall ambience of the restaurant was casual but classy. Service was also wonderful. The best part of course is probably that they are dog friendly so you won't have to leave your best friend at home! We will definitely be returning!

Jake K.

Yelp
My family tried the ahi poke, Robert's rigatoni with sausage, winter farm salad, and the Berkshire pork chop. IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! Service was great too.
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Elena G.

Yelp
Stayed here recently to attend a reggae concert in Palisades nearby. They played reggae in the patio midday which I thought was cool. Patio area is the vibe, eat/drink and hear the River running through. Had the ceviche and it was BOMB, and I eat the stuff all the time with my Mexican fam, so I feel like a fair judge. Got to hear a pretty awesome singer sing good ol' songs from the 70's, 80's which was super enjoyable. Rooms are just fine, nothing luxurious, but clean sheets and towels, cute cabin like vibe and the keurig coffee maker was nice since I had brought my own kcups. If you have a second floor room and dare to sleep with the windows open (one could remove screen and climb in easily if they wanted) you CAN hear the River running all night long. Overall good experience, continental breakfast was cool.
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J R.

Yelp
When a property is unique it is easy to settle in and not try very hard. That is not what we have seen over the years. The RRL is constantly updating, upgrading, and improving the customer experience. The food is good, the patio is open, and the prices are resort reasonable.
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Jeff M.

Yelp
Great location. Mediocre food. Good beer. Terrible prices. Lame "do it yourself" service model. Captive audience tourist trap. Move along
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James D.

Yelp
River Ranch sits on the Truckee River between Squaw Valley & Tahoe City. The facility has been a popular summer destination for more than 40 years. It is not new or modern ... more classic like you would hope to find in the Lake Tahoe area. There are charming inn style rooms, as well as both indoor & outdoor bar & restaurant. The outside patio is huge, shaded & sits right on the river. WHAT A VIEW !!! The food is very good. The staff couldn't be nicer or more accommodating. Parking is plentiful and easy to maneuver. This property is the terminus of the popular rental rafts starting in Tahoe City & a great people watching venue.
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Mike M.

Yelp
We had a fantastic dinner in a great setting! We have been here a few years ago for lunch on the patio. This was our first visit here for dinner and we are glad that we chose this place. We were here for dinner in mid-September with five people. We had reservations, and were seated after a short wait. (Only a few outside tables next to the river were in use for dinner.) We were seated inside by the window with a view out to the patio and the river beyond (the best window seats are right on the river, but those were already booked). The food was excellent. We started with their Nachos ($16 for the meatless version). Everyone enjoyed them, which are uniquely prepared. One order was enough for all five of us as an appetizer. I sampled a bit of everyone's entree and my vote for the best was the one most of us ordered: The Seared Ahi ($25) that had a cooked exterior and delightfully sashimi-like inside. It was accompanied by an interesting salad and a very tasty dressing. Fantastically Delicious! We also had the Seafood Stew ($36) and Mushroom Stroganoff ($20). The portions are generous and the leftovers make a great lunch the next day. We had a great time. The ambiance was great and the service was very good.
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Samir R.

Yelp
No stars. Horrible service. Waited over an hour, never received any food. Took them 20 minutes just to bring our lemonades out. When we told our server we are leaving because we received NOTHING, the racist manager ran outside and demanded us to pay for our drinks. Locations good. Only come here for pictures. The bartenders pet dogs and pour drinks! They don't even wash their hands. Ambiance sucked. Our server was McKenzie! Horrible !!!'
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William O.

Yelp
The recent negative reviews (Dec 2022) seem harsh. They may have had a few challenges given the early storms and uptick in business from skiers. My wife and I had booked a room for a few a days starting Jan1. The hotel is old but not run down. We stayed in one of the better rooms upstairs. It was cozy and decently serviced. The restaurant is spectacular and the food is great. Try to get a table along the river in the bar area. The food was really good and the service was just right. We are not disappointed and in fact I would say I will stay here again. They obviously care deeply about the experience here and they are doing great. Notes: they discourage skis in rooms , but we felt safe enough locking them in the car.
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Marcus L.

Yelp
Service was good and staff friendly. Facilities are very run down and this takes away from the experience. Nice river views but rafters exit the river here so a parking lot can be crazy. Food was okay.
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John L.

Yelp
Good food and good service but the ambience desperately needs to renovation. Menu also needs some updating. But good quality and presentation and portions.

Trusted Review S.

Yelp
Quaint roadside lodge with gorgeous river views and they allow dogs! The front desk staff are terrific and it's a great location. The decor is kitschy but I love that kind of thing. Not fancy but a super fun atmosphere. Highly recommend.