Redding is the northernmost community with any sizable population along Interstate 5 in California, and it serves as a hub for the surrounding smaller communities such as Mt. Shasta, where I live and fish. Redding has a commercial airport, as well as numerous hotel and dining chains along the freeway. And a river, the lower Sacramento, runs through it. One of the largest and most active fly-fishing clubs in the state, the Shasta Trinity Fly Fishers is located in Redding, as well as one of the best-known flyfishing emporiums, The Fly Shop. The majority of local guides in the area call Redding home.
The lower Sacramento River, which flows south through the center of town, is perhaps the finest trophy trout river in the state, and the upper Sacramento, Pit, and Trinity Rivers and Hat Creek are within about an hour’s drive. Some nearby stillwaters include Shasta Lake, Lewiston Lake, Lake Siskiyou, and McCumber and Baum Lakes. Within a two-hour drive, you can reach the Fall River, the Klamath, the upper and lower McCloud River, and far too many high-mountain lakes and small, beautiful creeks to count.
It is no surprise, then, that many visiting anglers choose Redding as a base of operations for their fishing adventures when traveling to the shadow of Mount Shasta. It surprises me, however, that few of them venture away f rom the chain restaurants for their dining options. Don’t misunderstand me — when I am on the road, I often opt for some fresh Mex at Chevy’s or some pasta at an Olive Garden, mostly because they have a few dishes I like, and I know what to expect.
Redding, however, has too many great locally owned dining options to pass up — far too many, in fact, to cover here, so I have chosen half a dozen that have become favorites of my wife and me and of friends and guests who have joined us. We hope you’ll sample a few local haunts on your next visit.
Jack’s Bar and Grill
A Redding institution since 1938, this unusual establishment has maintained its decor from the period when it was founded, which makes dining at Jack’s like taking a step into the past. Their longterm success and popularity have stemmed from a simple formula: offering three cuts of steak — a top sirloin, a New York steak, and a filet mignon — in both 10-ounce and 16-ounce portions, all grilled to perfection. Dinners, which include garlic bread, a baked potato or French fries, and a tossed green salad, start at $15.75 for a 10-ounce sirloin and top out at $36.75 for a 16-ounce filet mignon. The service is attentive and friendly, but seating is limited. They do not accept reservations, so plan on having a drink or two at the long bar before being seated. Jack’s offers six other items on the menu, including seafood and chicken, but their steaks have made them famous, so when my wife and I make the pilgrimage down Interstate 5, she orders the 10-ounce filet mignon and I order the 16-ounce New York steak, which is their specialty. The bar is open from 4:00 to 11:30 P.M., and dinner is served from 5:00 to 11:00 P.M. They are closed on Sundays. Jack’s Bar and Grill is at 1743 California Street, Old Town Redding, (530) 2419705, http://www.jacksgrillredding.com.
Gironda’s
The exterior of Gironda’s disguises the unique character of this family-owned Chicago-style Italian restaurant. Inside, the casual, rustic atmosphere makes for a relaxing experience after a day on the water. The staff is exceptionally welcoming and friendly, and the expansive seating and
efficient service keep tables turning, so waits are kept to a minimum, even if you haven’t made reservations. With 10 appetizer offerings and over 50 dinner entrées, including a kid’s menu, most everyone in your group can find something to enjoy. We usually start with crab cakes or tomato bruschetta, and if I have a hearty appetite, I order the Tuscan steak, which is a slow roasted piece of prime rib grilled with a special rub and garlic butter, served with mashed potatoes and gravy. My wife often enjoys a bowl of superb minestrone soup with a salad or orders one of their specialty ravioli dishes. We enjoy their house wines, but on special occasions, we bring a bottle of our own and pay their reasonable $10 corkage fee. Often, I’ll decide on a lighter option, such as their daily fresh fish special or creamy lobster risotto, or go vegetarian with their pasta pomodoro. Our teenage son almost always orders one of their fine pizzas. Entrées start at $12 and top out at $22. Gironda’s is open from Sunday to Thursday, 4:30 to 9:00 P.M., and Friday and Saturday until 10:00 P.M. It has a full bar, with a happy hour from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. To-go and delivery menu items are also available. Gironda’s is at 1100 Center Street, Old Town Redding, (530) 244-7663, http://www.girondas.com.
The Woodside Grill at Gaia Hotel and Spa
Most of our fly-fishing friends and guests have discovered the Gaia Hotel and Spa in Anderson and have found this eco-friendly establishment to be one of the best values in the Redding area, with a room for two starting at about $80. The adjoining Woodside Grill is conveniently located only a few steps from the Gaia’s rooms. It is Northern California’s only restaurant certified by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and utilizes products from local farmers and ranchers. They feature artisan comfort food, with hand-cut steaks, fresh fish, chicken, pasta, and specialty salads to go with their California wine list. My wife and I usually start with one of their eight appetizers, with our favorites being the tempura avocado and their garden trio sampler, which also includes a tofu taquito and deep-fried mozzarella chips to go with the tempura avocado. I order a glass of wine to pair with my main dish, but my wife prefers their incredible ginger pear martini. Her favorite entrée is their Kobe beef meatloaf, while I usually opt for a seafood or pasta dish, with my favorites being the lobster ravioli and cedar plank salmon. The grill offers a comfortable, contemporary dining room and bar, with live music performed by local artists. Breakfast is served seven days a week from 6:30 to 11:00 A.M., lunch on Monday through Friday from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., and dinner on Monday through Saturday from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Sundays feature a pasta bar from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Entrées range from $9 to $28, and there is a full bar. The Woodside Grill at Gaia Hotel and Spa is at 4125 Riverside Place, Anderson, (530) 365-7077, http://gaiashasta.com/dining.asp.
The Market Street Steakhouse
For those not seeking the mid-1900s ambience at Jack’s or wanting to avoid long waits for seating, the classic Market Street Steakhouse is a great option. They offer all the classic cuts of steak, from an 8-ounce filet mignon to a 22-ounce porterhouse, as well as a Kobe sirloin. With 12 appetizers, 4 entrée salads, and 4 seafood dishes, including my favorite, the lobster saffron risotto, there is a lot from which to choose. Appetizers run from $9 to $15, with entrees $12 to $37. You’ll find an upscale, contemporary setting with a full bar and fast, friendly service. Lunch is served Monday through Friday, 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., and dinner on Monday through Thursday from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M., Friday and Saturday until 10:00 P.M. The Market Street Steakhouse is at 1777 Market Street, in Old Town Redding, (530) 241-1777, http://www.marketstreetsteakhouse.com.
Yama Sushi
This restaurant features Japanese cuisine with over 100 types of rolls, dishes, soups, and appetizers, as well as beer and wine. A festive setting in the Raley’s shopping center, Yama Sushi offers table seating as well as a sushi bar complete with boats of freshly made sushi offerings floating past you. It’s a fun place for a group, small or large, to enjoy either a quick meal or a more relaxed dining experience. Our favorites include the sake sashimi salmon appetizer, the chicken yaki udon soup, the Snow Mountain Roll with scallop, crab, ebi, and asparagus, the Reno Roll with smoked salmon, and our very favorite, the Oh My God Roll with tuna and a spicy sauce. Appetizers range for $10 to $15, udon soups from $13 to $17, sashimi and sushi, 7 to 12 pieces, from $15 to $20, nigiri from $3.50 to $7, and other rolls from $5 to $15. Yama Sushi is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 noon to 9:00 P.M. Yam Sushi is at 40 Hartnell Avenue in the Raley’s Cobblestone shopping center, (530) 223-6868, http://www.yamasushi.net.
Peter Chu’s Skyroom
Peter Chu’s is conveniently located for air travelers on top of the Redding airport terminal. They provide surprisingly high-quality Mandarin cuisine, as well as Szechwan and Hunan styles, at very affordable prices. They have been in business for around 30 years, starting out in my hometown of Paradise, California, where I dined soon after they opened. A few years later, they moved to Chico, where my wife and I lived, and we spent many fine evenings enjoying their tasty treats. Many of our friends in the Redding area now join us for an evening at the airport, watching the planes come and go and sampling the outstanding dining offered at Peter Chu’s. We usually start with the lettuce-wrapped chicken with pine nuts appetizer or perhaps their “Love Boat” sampler for two, which also includes barbecued pork, fried prawns, and an egg roll. We are big fans of their hot and sour soup and most often order a couple of their stir-fried dishes to share, family style. Our favorites include scallops with hot ginger garlic sauce, one of their sizzling seafood dishes, and any item with their terrific black bean sauce. A side of chow mein or fried rice will complete the main course. Dessert is limited to ice cream and chilled lychee fruit, so we often order a cocktail instead. Appetizers run form $7.25 to $12.55, soups from $5.55 to $6.25 (for two), entrées from $10 to $19. Lunch is served from 11:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 2:30 P.M. on Sunday. Dinner is served from 4:30 to 9:00 P.M., Sunday until 8:00 P.M. The full bar is open from 11:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. Peter Chu’s Skyroom at the Redding Airport is located off Knighton Road in Redding, (530) 222-1364, http://www.peterchu.741.com.
