Keeping you informed of local food-and-drink news.
Another issue, another roundup of wholesome and hearty food news. We’ve packed our pages with delicious new offerings, sad goodbyes, and triumphs worth celebrating. Here’s just a snapshot of some of the region’s most exciting food news.
OPENINGS
We love celebrating new businesses hitting our area. Read on for what’s newly opened and what’s coming soon.
Thania’s Juice Bar, an all-organic juice and smoothie bar with healthy eats, celebrated its grand opening inside The Basement on Feb. 18. The restaurant has another location in Incline Village.
Sugar Blvd, a small, family-owned ice cream shop, opened on Feb. 1 in The Sticks center in Midtown Reno. Perfectly pink and full of sweetness, the store offers Hoch Family Creamery ice cream by the scoop and colorful, house-made waffle cones in a variety of flavors.
On Jan. 17, The Biggest Little Café opened in the Reno City Hall lobby. The coffee shop is operated by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation Vocational Rehabilitation Bureau and employs those with visual impairments.
The University of Nevada, Reno added two new dining options to its campus from Sparks-based dim sum producer CaiE Foods: CaiE Oriental Bistro and Steaming by CaiE. Students and other visitors to campus can enjoy the locally crafted Chinese cuisine.
South Renoites rejoice! A new Trader Joe’s is coming to The Summit mall. The grocer has filed permits for the location previously occupied by Orvis.
The fourth and newest location of Great Basin Brewing Co., under the ownership of Mark Estee’s Reno Local Food Group, opened in Minden in February. Great Basin has been serving the community for 30 years.
Speaking of Mark Estee, he recently announced his newest venture, a quick-serve food option inside of the Reno-Tahoe International Airport called Liberty Toast, in mid-April The new spot is located in Concourse C, with a focus on grab-and-go food and breakfast options.
No City Coffee, part of Great Basin Community Food Co-op, expanded into West Street Market on March 6. The business will start as an espresso bar, but there are plans to eventually become a bar with only non-alcoholic offerings.
DUBS, a new sports bar, opened on April 6 in the space formerly occupied by The Stick in Downtown Reno. The timing was strategic, coinciding with the Final Four.
Perenn Grocery, the newest venture from Perenn Bakery owners Aubrey and Tyler O’Laskey, opened on March 23 at The Village at Rancharrah in South Reno.
Pasta La Vista opened inside of Reno Public Market on March 13. It’s an Italian eatery making its name by serving pasta from inside of a cheese wheel.
Finally, forgive us for letting this one slip past our radar. La Victoria Coffee, a beloved coffee trailer and frequent participant at the Riverside Farmers Market, opened in a brick-and-mortar location on Robb Drive in West Reno back in October.
BUSINESS CHANGES
While some local businesses are only just starting, others are expanding and changing hands.
The Gold ’N Silver Inn is getting new ownership. Jacobs Entertainment, which owns J Resort and several other properties along the Fourth Street corridor, is taking over on May 1. The new owner says he plans to keep many employees on board as well as the majority of the restaurant menu, with additional changes occurring over time. Jacobs Entertainment already owns the land on which the restaurant sits.
The owner of Fourk Kitchen in Reno announced plans to sell on Feb. 17, citing several reasons for stepping away. While Fourk remains open during the transition period, there are two opportunities for sale. The first is a straightforward sale of the space while the second would involve continuing the Fourk brand in tandem with the other locations of the restaurant.
The Cake Slice has offered a franchising opportunity for its South Reno location.
Carniceria Tejaro also has new ownership. The Mexican restaurant now belongs to Armando Camarena.
Crooked Wine Co., an alcohol wholesaler in Reno, changed locations. According to City of Reno documents, the business will move to 4655 Longley Lane, Ste. 101.
Lox, Stock & Two Smoking Bagels had a rough start and continues to struggle to stay in business. A year after signing the lease, the make-your-own bagel shop opened in early 2024, only to close a month later to recalibrate. The owner of the Downtown Reno breakfast-and-lunch eatery (serving bagels, sandwiches, soup, and beers on tap) started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $50,000 in donations, saying “all funds would go toward paying off suppliers, which are in arrears, and hiring new staff to support increasing demand.” Although the business did briefly reopen, in mid-April, a sign was once again posted in its window declaring it was closed temporarily. We’ll be watching to see whether this business can get off the ground.
FAREWELLS
With our hearts heavy, we offer goodbyes to several people and places that have meant a lot to us.
On March 11, Paul Abowd (founder, along with his late wife Adele, of Adele’s Restaurant and Lounge in Carson City), passed away following health struggles. He also opened Peg’s Glorified Ham and Eggs and The Stone House Café in Reno. His son, Charlie, took over running the kitchen at Adele’s (while his wife, Karen, ran the front of the house) before the iconic restaurant was destroyed by a fire. Paul was 96.
In late February, it was announced that The Overland Hotel in Fallon (not to be confused with Minden’s Overland Restaurant & Pub) would be closing. Family health issues were cited as the reason.
Mi Linda Guatemala in Reno closed for good on Feb. 29 after about 10 years in business. The Guatemalan bakery was owned by the Salazar family.
Rusty Taco in South Reno closed its doors in March, after just 18 months in business.
NEWS BITES
Our neighbors are at it again! Check out what’s worth celebrating in Northern Nevada.
Frey Ranch Distillery owners Colby and Ashley Frey are celebrating 10 years of making whiskey at their Fallon ranch. The business is continuing the festivities all year long with several events and specials to commemorate the milestone.
The Depot Brewery & Distillery in Reno has 10 years of business under its belt, and to celebrate, it’s launching a new initiative called Helping Hops. The yearlong program will use proceeds from a series of collaborations to benefit Northern Nevada charities. One dollar of every collaboration beer sold will be donated.
Atlantis Steakhouse recently received the Forbes Four-Star Award, and it’s the first restaurant in Northern Nevada to do so. In fact, only 121 restaurants worldwide received the honor this year. The designation comes from inspectors who visit anonymously. In addition, Bistro Napa received a Forbes Recommended Rating.
ReStore Reno has been providing money to downtown businesses as part of its effort to reinvigorate the area. In the second round of giving, ReStore Reno handed out $589,000 in grants to 29 businesses. Awardees include Dead Ringer Analog Bar, Our Bar, Horseshoe, The EP Listening Lounge and more. In total, ReStore has given more than $1 million.
Smith and River, owned and operated by Colin Smith and the Roundabout team, has a new executive chef joining the fun. Since 2020, chef Chris Lott has worked with the Roundabout brand under the tutelage of Smith and chef Chris Nealon.
TAHOE-TRUCKEE NEWS
Tahoe and Truckee have their own exciting updates. Read on for what’s happening in the region.
Daniel Feldman, a Truckee resident, launched a popcorn company called Apres Pop. Sold as a bagged snack, the popcorn comes in three flavors: salty and savory, Sichuan chili, and curry leaf. Feldman has a cottage business license that allows him to operate in his home. In addition to plans for expansion, he’s also focused on high-quality and local ingredients.
Chicken in a Barrel finally moved into a bigger location. The grand opening took place over St. Patrick’s Day weekend, commemorating a shift from the Y in South Lake Tahoe to a 2,600-square-foot space inside the Whole Foods complex at the corner of Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Herbert Avenue. The food and the employees are staying the same, but much else will change. Smoking barrels were placed indoors. There are 16 beer taps plus other alcohol offerings, and state-of-the-art audio will accompany sporting events played on the TVs. The best advancement, however, is the space itself. Now there’s room for 102 patrons inside and another 60 on the outside patio.
Wolf by Vanderpump finally opened in April inside Harveys Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino. Originally slated for a November date, the Lisa Vanderpump-owned business is the first in Reno Lake Tahoe but the third in a series of Nevada-based business ventures in partnership with Caesar’s Entertainment. Her other two locations are in Las Vegas, each with its own theme.
Tangerine Bistro, a French restaurant and sister business to Great Gold, opened in Truckee on Donner Pass Road on Oct. 31 last year. Chef Brandon Kirksey is at the helm.
On the horizon, South Lake Tahoe is getting its first food hall. A $4.77 million investment went into Cascade Kitchens, which will be located at 1030 Tata Lane. The space will be filled with quick-service meals and grab-and-go grub by the end of the year.
That’s all she wrote. Until next time, happy eating, sipping, and savoring!
