WTA Announces Hungry Hikers Awards

Hiking all day can lead to a growling stomach. Here's a list of the top spots to fill your belly after a long day on the trail: the "Hungry Hiker 2009" winners, plus a few runners-up and also-rans, as determinned by an online poll of Washington Trails readers.

If you stop in at any of these establishments after your next hike, be sure to tell them you heard about their business in Washington Trails. Hiking helps support local economies and we're especially fond of supporting businesses that provide great food and drink.

Happy hiking and even happier eating!

Best Burgers - Zeke’s (Gold Bar)
Nestled in an old railcar, Zeke’s calls out to Stevens Pass-area hikers. Great burgers (the adventurous can try a buffalo or ostrich burger), deep-fried goodies and shakes can all be found here (and you can wait out the awful Sunday traffic). Other runners-up include Scott’s Dairy Freeze in North Bend, the 59er Diner in Coles Corner, Issaquah’s XXX Root Beer and Scale Burger in Elbe.

Best Milkshake - Scott’s Dairy Freeze (North Bend)
What’s a summit climb of Mount Si without a stop for a chocolate malt at Scott’s? A huge selection of shake flavors and floats make this a popular stop with the Interstate 90 hiking crowd. Runners-up in this category include the 59er Diner near Lake Wenatchee, Zeke’s on Highway 2 and XXX Root Beer in Issaquah.

Best Fries - Zeke’s (Gold Bar)
The dependable deep fryer at Zeke’s wins again—the fries are crispy and you can also order assorted other deep-fried veggies. Other places that scored high in the fried-food category were XXX Root Beer in Issaquah, The Brick in Roslyn and Scott’s Dairy Freeze in North Bend.

Best Espresso - Starbucks (North Bend)
Millions of latte-sippers can’t be wrong—our hiking voters picked the Starbucks in North Bend as the best espresso joint en route to a hike. Amidst the scores of of drive-up espresso carts and shacks out there, our readers also liked Espresso Chalet in Index, Northern Espresso in Cle Elum and Wapiti Woolies in Greenwater. If you’re near Goldendale, try the cappuccinos at St. John’s Bakery, run by Greek Orthodox monks.

Best Bakery - Sultan Bakery (Sultan)
The clear winner in this category, the Sultan Bakery has been serving up tasty goodies to hungry skiers, hikers and outdoors lovers for many years. Try the apple pull-aparts or any of the yummy pastries behind the counter. They also serve up filling dinners each weekend evening. Runners up in the category include the Black Diamond Bakery (Black Diamond), Cle Elum Bakery (Cle Elum), Stehekin Pastry Company (North Cascades National Park) Anjou Bakery in Cashmere off Highway 2 and George’s Bakery in North Bend.

Best Mexican Food - Tie: Los Camperos (Leavenworth) and Los Flamingos (Granite Falls)
If you’re tired of bratwurst in German-themed Leavenworth, head for the classic Tex-Mex fare at Los Camperos—everything from the old standby enchiladas to seafood chimichangas. Los Flamingos is a great place for tacos al carbon or perhaps a chile relleno after a hike up the Mountain Loop Highway. Other contenders in this category include El Cazador in Sequim, Los Cabos in Cle Elum and “anything from a taco truck.”

Best Pizza - Village Pizza (Roslyn)
Not only the setting for the quirky 1990s TV show “Northern Exposure,” Roslyn is also home to some scrumptious post-hiking pizza. Cap off a Teanaway day hike with a chicken-and-artichoke-heart concoction and a local microbrew. At this no-frills place, you eat off paper placemats and they serve honey packets to dip your crusts in! Other post-hike faves include Dan’s Pizza in Sultan, Iron Horse Brewery in Ellensburg, Waterfront Pizza in Port Townsend, North Fork Brewery in Deming and Omega Pizza & Pasta in Granite Falls.

Best Italian Food - Visconti’s (Leavenworth)
If you can clean up decently after a long hike, this fine Italian restaurant is one of Leavenworth’s finer establishments—choose from such delicacies as Portobello mushroom ravioli, linguine alla vongole (linguine with clams) or pot roast braised in stout. The wine selection is superb, too. Other favorites: Milano’s in Glacier near Mount Baker and Mama Valone’s in Cle Elum.

Best Indian Food - Clay Oven (Monroe)
If you can make it back from the trailhead by 3 p.m. on weekends, the buffet of delicious Indian specialties at this place off Hwy. 2 can’t be beat. This was the clear winner in its category, but possibly because there aren’t many other Indian places on the way to trails. Another popular place is India Oven in Port Angeles.

Best Thai Food - Noodle Boat (Issaquah)
After a hike in the Interstate 90 corridor, Puget Sound area hikers make a trek to Noodle Boat, which offers some of the best Thai food in the greater Seattle area (and just minutes away from Tiger Mountain!). The phad thai, noodle curry dishes and larb gai are not to be missed. Other favorite Thai spots among the post-hike crowd: Sawadee Thai in Sequim, Benjarong in Monroe and Thai Peppers in Port Angeles.

Best Brewpub or Bar & Grill - Tie: North Bend Bar & Grill (North Bend) and Skagit River Brewery (Mount Vernon)
Those who want a cold brew to cool off after a long hike have plenty of choices. Our readers preferred the North Bend Bar & Grill (with its big selection of microbrews, grilled meats, burgers and a fantastic jambalaya) and the Skagit River Brewery, with its selection of porters, ales and a super-hoppy IPA—plus lots of tasty Northwest pub grub. Other winners in this category: Gustav’s in Leavenworth, Winthrop Brewing Company  (Winthrop), North Fork Brewery (Deming), Snoqualmie Brewery (Snoqualmie) and the Twisp River Pub (Twisp).

Best Ice Cream - Scott’s Dairy Freeze (North Bend)
Our readers crave the soft-serve and shakes at this classic Interstate 90 post-hike institution. For those preferring the hard ice-cream variety, Cascadian Farms in Rockport on the way to the North Cascades Highway is tops (the fresh blueberry ice cream is divine). Runners up in the frozen creamy category include Clark’s Restaurant in Aberdeen and The Fountain in Arlington.

Best Vegetarian Food - Veggie Brat at Munchen Haus (Leavenworth)
There was no clear winner in this category, as vegetarian options are few and far between up in the mountains. Several hikers singled out the meatless bratwurst at Munchen Haus. Other favorites included Omega Pizza in Granite Falls, Skagit Valley Food Co-op in Mount Vernon, and the vegetarian pizza at Magic’s Pizza Shop in Selah. “Huckleberries along various Northwest trails” was a nice, if not terribly substantial, suggestion.

Best Barbecue - Rhody’s BBQ (North Bend)
Tucked away in a truck-stop gas station outside North Bend, this unassuming place serves up tender, smoky barbecued brisket, pork, and ribs. For other carnivore delights, try hiker favorites Country Boy’s BBQ in Cashmere, Ranch House BBQ on Highway 8 near Olympia, Bodacious BBQ in Granite Falls, and Smokin’ Bones in Yakima.

Best Breakfast - Maltby Cafe (Maltby)
Hikers resoundingly picked the Maltby Cafe as their favorite place to fuel up before a hike. Although you might need a nap rather than a hike after a prime rib omelette or a Belgian waffle with fruit and crème fraiche. Other great morning pit stops include Copper Creek Inn in Ashford outside Mount Rainier National Park, the Forks Cafe on the Olympic Peninsula, Oak Table Cafe in Sequim, The Kettle in Enumclaw and The Eatery in Marblemount. 

Certainly, the list could go on and on! If you have found truly exceptional hiking grub that isn't on this list, e-mail us at editor@wta.org.