Whoa Nelli Deli

I find it difficult to believe that I have not given the Whoa Nelli Deli at the Tioga Gas Mart a whole blog post to itself. Maybe it's because I have spoken at great length about this place to so many of my friends when we talk about food or Yosemite that I felt that I must have written about it. Alas, as I have gone through my old blog posts I see only a passing reference to this little gem.

As you travel north on US 395, you approach Lee Vining, and just before you arrive in the small town, you have the chance to turn left onto US 120 otherwise known as Tioga Pass. Up the hill just a bit you have a chance to fuel up at the Mobil Station. Not just gas for your car, but happiness for your stomach.

You have probably never eaten gourmet food in a gas station before, but don't be fooled by the pumps out front. This food is real good. One of the best parts is that after you get your food (pickup at the counter) you can take it out to the picnic tables and look over Mono Lake as you enjoy your food.

During this last trip we had breakfast and dinner here each day (lunch consisted of snacks in the backpacks). The first day we each ordered a breakfast burrito, but only ate half of it and had the rest for lunch (it's better when it's warm). So the next two days we shared a burrito.

I think my favorite dinner is still the fish tacos, one with mango salsa (which finds its way onto many other plates, too).

On Thursday nights the Gas Mart features live music, and we heard The Trespassers, a bluegrass band, on the night we were there. The outdoors was jam-packed with all kinds of people (and lots and lots of beer), including quite a few small children who danced and danced their little hearts out.