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Offbeat après-ski at Lake Tahoe for Presidents Day weekend

Good food and drink are essential after a day on the mountain.
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Presidents Day weekend, also known in the mountains as One of the Biggest Ski/Ride Weekends, is here.

If you couldn’t tell from the subtle renaming of Washington’s birthday, Presidents Day is all about getting out on the mountain. And with a monster February delivering powder by the foot seemingly every other day, you better believe it’s going to be a little crowded in the basin.

And you’re probably wondering: what do I do when I’m done shredding the gnar?



What do we look like? Google?

There are breweries, restaurants, casinos, dive bars, concerts, wine bars, cabaret performances, family-friendly villages, comedy shows … seriously … GTS, as the kids say.



But if you’re looking for some good food and drink options that won’t populate to the top of your search engine, we have a few suggestions.

Alibi Ale Works

Merriam-Webster defines après-ski as: social activity after a day’s skiing. A synonym is: alcohol.

If beer is your alcoholic beverage of choice, then Alibi is the place for you. With a taproom location in Incline Village and a public house in Truckee, Alibi gives you options — and we’re not just talking about the beer, which is regarded by some as the best at the lake. (OK, Alibi ain’t no secret and it assuredly is on a bunch of “après-ski at Tahoe” lists. But it’s just So. Damn. Good.)

The Incline taproom is perfect if you’re looking for a cozy setting to sip beers and play board games with your buds.

The public house in Truckee is a little more spacious, has food and often features live entertainment in the evenings (folk band Só Sol performs Friday and Saturday features two old-school country acts, Everyday Outlaw and Western Specters).

The brewery/taproom is located at 204 E. Enterprise St., in Incline Village. The public house is located at 0069 Bridge St., in Truckee.

Austin’s

A hunk of red meat and glass of bourbon — also known as dinner for the soul.

Austin’s in Incline Village offers both and much more. Billed as “comfort food for the soul,” the menu offers a variety of Southern-inspired dishes ranging from the classic (chicken fried steak) to the creative (crab cake BLT sliders).

Of course, you could stop beating around the bush and order the ribeye (after an order of Austin’s buttermilk fries).

They also have a full bar with a selection of specialty cocktails that will transport you to a warmer, more southern climate.

Learn more about Austin’s at austinstahoe.com. They’re located at 120 Country Club Drive in Incline Village.

Curry & Grill

After spending hours out in the frigid mountain air, you’re going to want warm up. Grab some delicious Indian food and put some color back in your frozen cheeks.

Our personal favorite is Curry & Grill. They offer a traditional menu of classic Indian cuisine. The menu includes chicken, lamb and vegetarian entrées, so there’s something for everyone.

If you really want to warm up, order the lamb vindaloo (four for the spice level) with an order of garlic naan to sop up the sauce.

Curry & Grill is takeout so don’t plan on dining in — we recommend calling in your order for pickup. Conveniently, it’s located in a liquor store (Tahoe Keys Liquor) so you can grab your booze with dinner and enjoy them both back home in sweatpants with your latest Netflix binge.

Call 530-318-8520 to place your pickup order. Curry & Grill is located at 2297 Lake Tahoe Blvd., in South Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe Pizza Co.

Sometimes after a long and exhaustive day of physical exertion you just want to sit down and cram as many carbs down your gullet as possible.

Lake Tahoe Pizza Co. can accommodate.

With more than 45 years in business, this place is a longtime favorite of residents and visitors alike. Whether you’re looking for pasta, a calzone or a delicious pie to split with the group (or hoard for yourself … we won’t judge) they’ve got what you need to replenish all that energy you expelled on the slopes.

Just do yourself a favor and make sure to put in an order of the garlic chips. It’s a holiday weekend after all. Indulge a little.

Lake Tahoe Pizza Co. is located at 1168 Emerald Bay Road in South Lake Tahoe.

The Hangar

Looking for a low key place to sample great brews from around the region? Look no further. The Hangar is a taproom and bottle house that prides itself on offering regional — think big, like Bay Area to Reno — beers.

Located off U.S. 50 right along the Upper Truckee River, The Hangar is a mellow hangout spot and it’s extremely dog friendly. Assuming we don’t have another blizzard warning in effect, the spacious outdoor seating area is perfect for getting the gang together to enjoy some post mountain brews around the fire.

Check them out on Facebook (@thehangarlaketahoe).

The Hangar is located at 2401 Lake Tahoe Blvd.


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