.png)
Today I am going to profile The Stove Restaurant, located at 644 Old Mammoth Road in Mammoth Lakes. It is a cheery joint with amazing food, friendly staff, and yummy "cutie pies." Whether you need to refuel after a morning of activities or want a nice brunch after sleeping in, the Stove's country cookin' will knock your socks off.
Quick Details
Hours: Open daily from 7 am to 2 pm during the summer and winter.
Kid Friendliness Level: Big booths and highchairs, kids menu with crayons and activities - very kid friendly.
Dog Friendliness Level: No dogs.
Vegetarian options: There are vegetarian options.
Gluten Free options: Gluten free items available, including substitutions for bread and granola.
Drinks: Delicious fresh squeezed juices, coffee, and mimosas.
Price point: Reasonable, with most plates between $8 and $15.
Parking: There is a parking lot, with a big lot across the street as well.
Reservations: None, first come first served, expect a short wait by noon.
Ability to accommodate large parties: There are large booths and a side room, I would call ahead if group is larger than 8 or 10 people.
Take out: Yes, but not available if they are on a wait.
The Experience
The Stove is an OG restaurant in Mammoth, this breakfast and lunch spot goes back 50 years. But it isn't dated or drab, in fact it is delightful and colorful, full of light, and so delicious. It feels like you were invited to your best friend's grandmother's kitchen for breakfast.
I went on a Sunday with one of my best friends and my toddler after a lovely hike in the woods. We got there around noon and had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. It looked like they had just filled up, but also there were a few tables that turned over shortly after we arrived. Luckily the waiting area had a lot of fun things to look at and my son was entertained.
We were immediately greeted with waters and an offer for coffee. My son got a kids menu with games and crayons. I ordered the fresh squeezed juice, a combination of the orange and grapefruit juice, and my friend got a lemonade. They both came out in large mason jars.
The booth we were seated in was spacious, and it functioned well to corral my toddler and (mostly) to prevent him from running amok in the restaurant. We did switch to a high chair once his food arrived, but it was really nice to have the option to move between the two. I think it prolonged the time before meltdown, a big kid friendly plus.
Our waitress was really attentive despite it being busy, she seemed to know what we wanted before we knew. I was able to order a pancake for my boy right away. I ordered the garden wrap with the mac and cheese for a side, and my friend got the tuna melt with sweet potato fries.
The pancake came up quickly and my son was able to get started before us, thankfully. Even from the kids menu, it was a large fluffy pancake with a big gob of butter on top and a side of syrup. You can upgrade to Jake's Family real maple syrup for a small price, which is worth it.
My bestie described her tuna melt as having fresh avocado, the tuna being light and not overly mayo'd, and with cheddar cheese, a classic. The portions were generous and she took half home for later. My garden wrap was delicious, with loads of fresh veggies and the poppy seed dressing made it a little sweet and tangy. The mac and cheese side is worth mentioning as well, because man was it hearty and cheesy.
The Stove has freshly baked pies for sale. Do not skip these. Don't do that to yourself. You can get a whole pie or a "cutie pie" - a three inch diameter pie that is both cute and scrumptious. I took a cherry cutie pie home and shared it with my husband that night with a dollop of whipped cream. The cherries had the quintessential sour taste but was baked into a sweet gooey center, the crust was buttery and the right amount of flaky, and just the right size. I will be going back for these pies. WELL DONE to whoever is baking them, I'd love to give you a hug.
The Stove is the perfect breakfast/lunch spot if you want something hearty and wholesome. It is family friendly, delicious, and seriously has good pies. It has withstood the test of time and is a Mammoth Lakes classic favorite.
As always, please comment with any questions, thoughts, or your own experiences.
Comments