We'll be flying into Reno from Florida to start our vacation this October. That's a long flight; about 8 hours not counting time at airport pre-flight. We're arriving around 11 am and only going as far as Sacramento that day (on to Monterey the next day). Can you suggest a nice place for lunch? Once we get to Reno, we'll be tired and hungry. But I don't want to eat at a fast-food place or take us too far off track to find food...we might lose momentum and never have the heart to drive even to Sacramento. Thinking we could stop in Reno or a bit farther along as we pass the Tahoe/Truckee area. Any ideas, oh wise ones?

Well - first of all by the time you get your luggage and pick up your rental car it will be after noon. So I wouldn't set out on I-80 w/o first eating in Reno. I'd personally got to one of the casinos becasue they mostly have good buffets and parking is easy. But even eating in the airport before heading out would not be too nutty. After a long flight, I usually like to sit and relax before fighting traffic in a strange area.

You could of course stop in Truckee - but it will likely be 1 p.m. (4 p.m. per your body clocks) or later and you will be exhausted.

Just eat in Reno and then head to Sacramento - which will take you about 2+ hours straight driving time if it isn't a Sunday afternoon or the Columbus holiday, which would add an hour or two.

Here's a write-up of my favorite Reno restaurant -- much more delish than a casino buffet:

http://www.etravelplan.com/list.asp?ObjectID=11797

I'd get out of Reno and head up to Truckee for lunch. Why the heck are you flying into Reno if you're going to Monterey?

Well, it's a start to a 2 week vacation. Monterey for 2 nights, San Francisco for 2 nights, 2 nights in Reno (Outhouse Races), then 1 week in Tahoe-Stateline. Plus, I make my husband drive the car...

Well, there's always Moody's Bisrto and Lounge in Truckee where Paul McCartney eats and performs when he's in Tahoe skiing. It serves lunch and dinner. Here's a link: http://www.moodysbistro.com/?page=Home

Also at Donner off Rainbow Road and I80 is the Rainbow Lodge which is very good.

If you must do a casino buffet try Siver Legacy's.

Thanks, all. I think we'll plan to eat in Reno (janis, you hit the nail right on the head!). Maybe not the buffets, since we just want peaceful eating after the flight -- we'll be back in Reno for a couple of days later in the vacation (Eldorado), so can try the buffets then. You know how it is -- you finally get your luggage and car, think you'll see somewhere along the route to stop and eat, but never do. With a little planning, we might actually get some decent food so we won't bicker and whine all the way to Sacramento. scurry, thanks for the restaurant link, may try that. If anybody has any other restaurants in Reno along that route from airport going toward Truckee, would love to hear from you as well.

We just got back from vacation and did one night at the Reno Eldorado. Very Average place. The good part is that it's connected to the Silver Legacy which is much nicer. Also connected further down is Circus Circus which wasn't as bad as I expected. Would not stay at Eldorado again. I'd opt for the Silver Legacy of the three. We were fortunate to be in Reno the night that the Silver Legacy celbrated its 9th birthday. They had the best fireworks display I'd ever seen. The fireworks were launched right off the dome and from the tower. Amazing!

Old Town Sacramento is so interesting that I'd just grab a yogurt or smoothie at Reno Airport and drive in to Sac. Lots of restaurants in Old Town and a great train museum.