Lake Tahoe’s Red Truck Café at resort’s airport becomes cult favorite thanks to cheap, delicious meals – and the chance to spot stars disembarking private jets
Lake Tahoe’s Red Truck Café at the resort’s airport is becoming a cult favorite thanks to inexpensive, delicious meals — and the chance to see stars disembarking from private jets
- Red Truck Café has been operating out of tiny Truckee Tahoe Airport since 2012
- Chef and owner Larry Abney said his priority is low prices and quality food
- The eatery brings droves of customers to the otherwise expensive area
An independent cafe on a small airfield near Lake Tahoe has become a cult favorite among locals thanks to its cheap, delicious meals and the chance to watch stars land on private jets.
Red Truck Café operates out of the main terminal building of the tiny Truckee Tahoe Airport, providing private flights for local celebrities and vacationers.
Like Kourtney Kardashian And Tahoe local Jeremy Renner And have been spotted vacationing in the area, with some of the café’s most loyal patrons telling SFGATE that they recently spotted actor John Stamos on the airport runway.
But despite the high costs permeating the picturesque, star-studded region of Eastern California, Red Truck keeps its prices relatively low, with its customer-favorite breakfast burrito for $10.
Chef Larry Abney, 49, who launched the restaurant in 2012, said maintaining affordable prices is his priority.
Chef Larry Abney, 49, who launched the restaurant in 2012, said maintaining affordable prices is his priority
Red Truck Café operates out of the main terminal building of the tiny Truckee Tahoe Airport, providing private flights for local celebrities or vacationers
Despite the high costs permeating the picturesque, star-studded region of Eastern California, Red Truck keeps its prices relatively low, with its customer-favorite breakfast burrito for $10
The likes of Kourtney Kardashian and Tahoe local Jeremy Renner have been spotted vacationing in the area, while some of the cafe’s most loyal patrons told SFGATE they recently saw actor John Stamos on the airport runway.
“I’m tired of the high prices in downtown Truckee,” he told SFGATE.
“I keep my prices low so that people can come and eat here every day.
“I feel like people are being ripped off with high prices in Truckee just because they can.
“The airport has released a report on what people think about it and we are consistently the #1 reason people come to the airport.”
“This small airport was pretty quiet when we first came here,” he added.
But the budget café owner doesn’t skimp on his meals – adding creative options to the menu each week and using fresh produce from local, sustainable vendors.
“I go to the farmer’s market every week and force myself to come up with a new recipe,” Abney said.
“Last night I was figuring out what to do with eggplant for something I haven’t done yet. I’m working on an eggplant samosa – it could be awful!’
His high standards include using local food sources such as Tahoe Food Hub, Hole-in-One Ranch, and the Truckee Farmer’s Market.
The more permanent menu offers colorful quinoa bowls with fresh vegetables and a choice of meats – from chicken tikka masala to coconut curry lamb – for just $10.50.
The likes of Jeremy Renner and Kourtney Kardashian have been spotted vacationing in the area, with some of the cafe’s most loyal patrons telling SFGATE that they recently saw actor John Stamos on the airport runway
But the budget café owner doesn’t skimp on his meals – he adds creative options to the menu each week and uses fresh produce from local, sustainable vendors
“This little airport was pretty quiet when we first got here,” Abney said
Red Truck also offers a variety of fresh salads, homemade sandwich options, and the locally renowned NaanSandwich served with meat, hummus, and yogurt toppings for $11.50
Red Truck also offers a variety of fresh salads, homemade sandwich options, and the locally renowned NaanSandwich served with meat, hummus, and yogurt toppings for $11.50.
Wyoming native Abney learned to cook in the kitchen with his mother before attending the New England Culinary Institute in Vermont.
His culinary career started at restaurants in DC and New York until he moved to the West Coast.
Abney told SFGATE that he joined the “food truck revolution” when he moved over a decade ago, starting his Red Truck venture as a pop-up catering service at events.