Carol’s Cafe Lake Almanor – Prattville

Comfort Food With a Twist

by Eileen Majors

Nothing delivers the distinct feeling of “Summer’s good old days at the lake,”like a trip out to Carol’s Cafe and West Shore Deli, located just off Highway 89 on Lake Almanor Drive West. I have had the pleasure of dining at Carol’s for over three decades. I remember well the days when Carol’s dad came in the summertime and made the pies. Now a nostalgic pie sign hangs with his picture on it and the pies baked are just like they were back then.

Pretty much  everything is as it was back then. Antique counter chairs and a rustic decor that includes photos of the building’s history dating back to the early 1900’s defines the character of this quaint café.

The food is always great. Carol’s culinary talents and creative spirit drive her to bring in new specials and adapt the menu each year, but she always delivers fresh, homemade comfort food. Her full breakfast menu includes favorites like authentic Biscuits & Gravy, fresh baked muffins, waffles and hearty omelets, to name a few.

Lunch is, once again, homemade. She also enjoys baking rustic breads to serve with dinner, fresh fruit muffins for breakfast and more baked goods to accent her wide menu of entrees. Lunch includes delicious burgers on Truckee Sourdough buns and a scrumptious California Club. Sandwiches made on a variety of fresh breads and big, delicious salads with homemade dressings are popular choices. Appetizers are amazing at Carol’s, from her Crab Cakes and Chicken Tostadas (pictured above) to Tempura Battered Veggies, crispy fried and served with Chipotle dipping sauce.

Dinner at Carol’s is just what you’d expect, spectacular. Beef, chicken and seafood entrees include Carol’s Boneless Cut Grilled Ribeye served with roasted garlic butter. Add grilled or deep fried shrimp if you wish. There are many choices from Classic Chicken Marsala to Smoked Prime Rib Beef Rib Bones, smoked in-house and glazed with barbecue sauce. Slow Roasted Short Ribs are another tender, tasty treat, served with a savory brown sauce and garnished with port-glazed shallots.The dinner includes a basket of homemade bread, choice of soup or salad, house vegetable and choice of baked potato, fries, rice pilaf or garlic mashed potatoes. We really appreciated all the choices. Seafood selections include Old Fashioned Fish & Chips served with steak fries, coleslaw, lemon wedges and zesty cocktail sauce and creamy tartar sauce. They  Vegetarian entrees are also offered.

Carol’s is famous for their Old Fashioned Fried Chicken Dinner served family style on Sunday. Prime Rib is offered as a House Special on Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to save room for that pie!

For those in a rush or headed out for a picnic, Carol’s Westshore Deli offers fresh food on the go and a full espresso bar. The cafe is located lakeside and is a short ride from the Almanor Recreation Trail parking lot. You can also come by boat for lunch or dinner; tie up to their courtesy dock. but definitely come by and experience that distinct feeling of Summer’s good old days at the lake.

By car, take Prattville Butt Reservoir Road off Highway 89 and turn right at the bottom of the hill. Carol’s will be on your left. Dinner reservations are appreciated.

Lake Almanor – West Shore 2932 Almanor Drive West 530-259-2464