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Stagecoach dining pit stops
Even while going 90 miles per hour, the drive down the I-10 to the Stagecoach Festival can be a long, arduous journey, and even more so when there's traffic. You're going to have to eat at some point. Taco Bells and Burger Kings aside, there are decent freeway-adjacent dining destinations to tide you over until you hit the glorious Polo fields.
This truck-stop institution has been serving up cheap diner food for 50 years and remains a favorite in spite of the recent development in the area. Burgers, sandwiches, house-made pies (peanut butter cream…mmm) and a view of the Cabazon dinosaurs make for a worthwhile stop.
Like all shiny objects, it’s hard not to be drawn to the modern mirage that is the Morongo Casino. There are about nine eateries inside, including the requisite casino buffet, so if you really want a break from the traffic, this compound will keep you busy. The fact that you can pass the time gambling doesn’t hurt either.
If you love dates (the fruit, not the ritual of courtship), Hadley is the place for you. The Coachella Valley is known for its date farms, and Hadley is one of the area’s most renowned. Along with a store selling dried fruit, nuts and organic wine, there is also a picnic area and a café that serves date shakes.
The small stand by the side of the freeway may not be the most glamorous of eateries, but it’s fine if you just want to grab a good taco. Only outdoor seating is available, so eat in your car if you want to avoid the desert winds.
As far as dining options go, the outlets offer standard food-court fare and fast-food chains. But if you’d rather avoid traffic by browsing the goods at the Gucci, Ralph Lauren and Nike stores, this is a must-stop.
A local favorite for Mexican food that’s quick and cheap -- two of our favorite words.
This family-owned restaurant is kitsch and comfort rolled into one big, red barn-like building. A giant rooster welcomes a random mix of locals, truckers and travelers on their way to Palm Springs. The breakfast dishes are tops on the menu.
This pizza shop is the pride and joy of Redlands. The menu features off-the-wall pies, such as the Mini Pearl, topped with mashed potatoes, gravy and fried chicken. Craving dessert? How about a pizza with marshmallows, peanut butter, fruit or caramel? Somehow it all works, because people love this place.
Who doesn’t love a good ol’ British pub? Though stuffing oneself with bangers and mash or fish and chips may not be a wise thing to do before basking in the desert heat, it’s nice to have the option. The Royal Falconer also has a selection of British and Irish ales and ciders to wash it all down (do sober up, of course, before heading back out on the road).
The gigantic Ontario Mills mall is an inevitable bastion of chain restaurants, but at least at Dave & Buster’s, you can play arcade games in between bites of fried cheese sticks.