Tahoe Restaurants: American & Family Oriented

Elements Eatery & Bar is one of the few restaurants anywhere in the Lake Tahoe Basin that can boast of lake views from its outdoor seating and from every seat inside as well. Even better is the distinctive menu that owners describe as Mexi-Cali. The smash burger has a ton of Latin herbs in it, while the au jus for the French dip is also Latin-based with chili peppers. The menu has shareable items like the Fiesta Nachos, Taco Sampler and Street Fries, a meal in itself with house-made fries and an all-beef hot dog with ketchup, crema, mustard, Tabasco, lime and jalapeno. This South Lake Tahoe restaurant is all about fresh ingredients, from the corn and flour tortillas made in-house to the juices and mixes for the full bar. With the grassy area out front fenced off, adult beverages may be consumed at outside tables. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available seven days a week. Elements also offers catering for special occasions.

Enjoy beautiful lake views from Jason's summer deck or dine inside in a rustic, old Tahoe atmosphere by their cozy fire-pit. Their menu features American classics such as slow-roasted prime rib, seafood, pasta, gourmet burgers and nightly specials. Savor their house specialty, slow-cooked baby back ribs. Jason’s offers a full bar with a wide selection of draft beers. A kids' menu is available, so bring the whole family. You'll find Jason’s on the beach in the heart of Kings Beach.

If you are craving Southern cooking and comfort food, Moe's Original Bar B Que in Tahoe City is your best bet. They serve all the tasty dishes like Southern fried catfish, St. Louis-style ribs, cornbread and baked beans. Located on the shores of Lake Tahoe, the restaurant has great views of the water and surrounding mountains and is situated next to the bike path that takes you all around the lake. This is an excellent spot to take in the sunset too. Moe's offers live music on weekends.

Orchid's Thai Cuisine thrives in its little location just east of the Y. If you are looking for a Thai restaurant that is big on flavor and decorated with beautiful Thai decor, then this is a great place to enjoy. Their large menu offers something for everyone, and the dishes are perfect for sharing family-style. There are a lot of spicy dishes on their menu, and you can add heat if you'd like. Likewise, this restaurant is pretty good about accommodating special dietary needs. They also offer some nice desserts, including green tea ice cream, fried bananas and other treats.

Pepper's Taqueria is at the rear of Pete 'n Peters Sports & Spirits, Tahoe City’s original and much-loved sports bar. This means you can watch the game at the bar and enjoy Pepper's tasty tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, wings and cheeseburgers. Pepper's is known for its affordable Mexican food.