The Dining Divas vs. Lumberjacks
By Tanya Curtis, Colleen Foster, and Carmel L. Mooney

Lumberjacks Restaurant
(Yuba City, California)

Three women, a long trip, a missed lunch and empty stomachs make for some mighty grumpy ladies. So what's a girl to do? The answer is clear: be a man, and go 'where the big boys eat': Lumberjacks Restaurant in Yuba City, California.

From our first glimpse of the huge lumberjack statue outside, the faux log building décor seemed to scream 'big portions for hungry tummies'. Just what we were looking for, no tiny gourmet portions would do this time.

Decorated as a log cabin, with large old handheld saws hung on the walls, there were plenty of seats for hungry travelers and families. Front and center in the entryway, a glass display case held the largest chocolate cake known to lumberjacks, to tempt those of us who dream in chocolate. It was a tantalizing sight that stayed with us through the night.

 

We met with the owner of the restaurant, Scott Bailey, who was pleased to share his dream of the perfect restaurant: large portions, friendly staff, and good home-cooking. This new dining experience is one of two in the newly established chain, and has been open for about three months. The other restaurant is in Redding, California, and hopefully won't be the last. Tired of the old 'box-cutter' restaurant image that many chains have become, Mr. Bailey wants to see Lumberjacks grow out of the broken mould that no longer satisfies the hungry diner's appetite for variety and good food. Frankly, he's right.
With skyrocketing prices and shrinking portions, it is difficult to find a family-friendly place where you won't leave hungry. Lumberjacks seems to have found its' niche.

Carmel Mooney, the head Dining Diva, ventured into Prime Rib territory. Trekking over a huge portion billed as “small”, she got through about half of it, graciously sharing tidbits with the rest of us so that we could bask in her good fortune. The prime rib was tasty and moist, not one of those dry, cardboard-tasting things that I've seen some restaurants try to pass off as meat.

Colleen Foster, another Dining Diva, tickled the Baby Back Ribs and garlic mashed potatoes for a tasty and filling dinner. What did she have to say about the experience?

“I am always a little nervous trying out a new place to eat, especially if I'm hungry. Will I like the food? Will my husband be hungry when we leave? And, of course the cost: was it worth it, being a cook and all? Lumberjacks’ down-home cooking was delightful. The huge portions were sure to satisfy a big guy like mine. You even get your own little loaf of freshly baked bread, straight from the oven. We were all excited to find this reasonably-priced establishment, and friendly folks to boot. You won't be disappointed.”

I have to concur; the bread was 'melt-in-your-mouth' delicious. As the last Dining Diva tackling the monstrous portions at Lumberjacks, I tried the Ultimate Ribeye Steak, which comes smothered in mushrooms, garlic, and onions. Was it the Ultimate? After having tried ribeye steaks all over the United States, I would have to rank this one way up at the top. Did I finish it all? Not even close. While I can usually keep up with 'the big boys' in any eating competition, Lumberjacks Restaurant left me far behind, holding my overfull stomach and wondering how I could fit in that huge slice of chocolate cake from the front display case that they brought to our table, served with whipped cream and scoops of ice cream and drizzled with hot fudge topping.

Valiantly, we three divas tackled that mountain of chocolate, determined not to let it get away. We got through half of it... almost.

Yes, in the battle of the hungry Dining Divas vs. Lumberjacks Restaurant, the Lumberjacks most definitely won. Mr. Bailey has succeeded in bringing a great family restaurant to the Yuba City area, with efficient, friendly staff and huge portions of excellent food, in a clean, appealing atmosphere.

We finally left in satisfied defeat, carting our boxes of leftovers to bring home to our deprived spouses, never to return to the battlefield again.

And then we saw the huge two-pound hamburger they were taking to another combatant's table...

I think we should attempt this battle again. Soon.



 

**This restaurant is HIGHLY Recommended by Travel With Humor**
It's not often I come across a restaurant that impresses me as much as Lumberjacks did.  Family friendly, huge portions, and good food--what more could you ask for?  Thanks Mr. Bailey!

When life hands you lemons... throw 'em back!