You may be setting off with a full tank for the desert today, but you’re going to have to stop at some point. Before you get to Coolhaus and Kogi and a full Wu-Tang lineup at Coachella, you can sip date shakes and eat date-laced bacon burgers, relive the dream of Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure with some prehistoric pals, and try locally brewed beer in Redlands. Check out our guide to eating on the road while heading to or escaping from this first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music Festival.
Hadley Fruit Orchards: A desert landmark in Cabazon, make a stop for sundry dried fruit, preserves, and nuts, just don’t leave without a vanilla ice cream and Deglet Noor date shake. 48980 Seminole Dr. Cabazon; 951-849-5255.
Hangar 24: Are the drugs starting to wear off? Whilst heading back to L.A., keep your buzz going with a trip to the tasting room at Hangar 24, open Sunday at 11:00 A.M. with thirteen Redlands-brewed beers on tap, like the tasty Double IPA and Nitro Chocolate Porter. 1710 Sessums Dr. Redlands; 909-389-1400.
Wheel Inn: Yes this 24-hour desert truck stop has breakfast burritos, burgers, and old-school waitresses straight out of central casting. But you’re really here for the giant fake dinosaurs and to relive the glories of Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. 50900 Seminole Dr. Cabazon; 951-922-881.
Shield’s Date Garden Cafe: Before joining the hours long queue into the festival or heading home on Sunday, you’re going to need a full stomach. Stop at this Indio breakfast and lunch destination at 89-year-old Shield’s Date Garden and wrap your hands around a date burger, made with sauteed Deglet Noor dates and melted blue cheese, and get a box of royal medjools to take home. 80225 Highway 111. Indio; 760-347-7768.
Crazy Coyote Tacos: You may know this place as the other diner with dinosaurs, be them smaller and less ferocious. And while the burritos, super nachos, and giant tacos here might not meet your snobby L.A. standards, you can buy fresh and warm corn tortillas for the ride. 13033 Malki Rd Banning; 951-849-2000.
