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Headed for Yosemite National Park? The gateway towns at the southern end of the park offer some great spots to grab a casual bite before — or after — a long day of hiking, snowshoeing and exploring. Here are just three possibilities.
Smokehouse 41
Chef and pitmaster Adam Hildebrand and his partner Diana Sherwood serve up some of Oakhurst’s most appealing food at this fast-casual barbecue joint, which opened one year ago on Highway 41.
Fueled by native California oak, their outdoor pit, Eve, smokes meats for up to 14 hours a day, from juicy brisket to heavenly, reverse-seared tri-tip. Cali-centric side dishes, such as fresh, vinegar-based slaw, jalapeño mac and twice-baked potato casserole, are made using local ingredients, whenever possible. The barbecue beans with smoked meat are pretty sensational, too.
If you’re sharing, go for the Three Meat Plate ($19), which comes with two sides and zingy, house-made pickles, or have your meat of choice — they also offer pulled pork and Kielbasa sausage — stuffed into a half-pound sandwich ($9-$14) plus a side. Wash it down with a craft beer, wine or cider — all from California.
Details: Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (or until sold out) at 40713 Highway 41, Oakhurst; www.smokehouse41.com.
South Gate Brewing Company
This microbrewery and gastropub opened in 2013 with two industrial-chic dining rooms offering beer-worthy lunch and dinner options, from artisan brick-oven pizzas ($13-$16) to grass-fed burgers ($12-$16) and traditional pub favorites, like wild-caught Pacific Cod fish and chips ($14).
The brewery, located in a building that once housed a car dealership, is family-friendly, with a root beer brewed just for kids and award-winning suds for the parents, including Oaktown Brown, a seasonal English-style brown ale brewed with pecans. Pair it with one of 10 small plates, preferably one with a touch of sweetness, like the smoky Carolina BBQ Ribs ($12).
Or go lighter: The crisp, Gold Diggin’ Blonde ale on tap pairs well with any of the menu’s salads ($12-$16) made using Kern Farm field greens, or the grilled Miso Hungry Chicken Sandwich ($15), topped with kale slaw, roasted garlic miso mayo and sweet unagi sauce on a Hawaiian bun from Max’s Artisan Breads in Fresno.
Details: Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at 40233 Enterprise Road, Oakhurst; https://southgatebrewco.com.
Wild Fig Kitchen
Chef-owner Mark Neff’s charming bistro opened two years ago in the center of Coarsegold’s historic artist’s village, and ever since, it’s been delighting locals and Yosemite weekenders alike with unique, hand-crafted breakfast, brunch and lunch offerings.
Neff’s cuisine is refined — he worked in Orange County kitchens for years before moving north — and memorable, from a 1/3-pound Wild Fig Burger ($14) piled high with goat cheese, caramelized onions and fig jam, to a Roasted Tomato Benedict ($12) with crumbled bacon on sourdough. The Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles ($11) are quite good, and come with a sinful black-pepper gravy.
Freshly-baked goods are excellent and go fast. We snagged a soft, gooey housemade peppermint sandwich cookie that made us divorce Oreos. Load up for the road.
Details: Open 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday for brunch at 35300 Highway 41, Coarsegold; https://wildfigkitchen.com .