MENDOCINO Co., 7/18/24 — Being from the Midwest, one of the hardest dishes for me to find in California is biscuits and gravy — sausage gravy, in particular. My parents, both from the East Coast, found it a not-so-tasty offering when they first moved to Indiana. However, it grew on me over the years as a solid comfort dish that takes me back to carbing up after an early morning hike in the hills of southern Indiana or a recovery fix after a long night of partying. Either way, it’s been tough to find one in California that satisfies me like those at the country diners I grew up visiting.
Now I can share that after ten years of living here, I finally found biscuits and gravy that satisfies my Hoosier palate and has me craving for more.
A few friends and I went to the Bluebird Cafe in Hopland. Among the taxidermy and vintage license plates, I found myself having a semi-religious experience as I dove into a not-so-photogenic plate of two homemade fluffy biscuits topped with a hearty county gravy lumpy with sausages. Biscuits and gravy fans know our pepper — we usually have to add more. The amount of pepper in the gravy was perfect. Next to me, a friend tucked into a chicken fried steak overflowing with gravy. He was happy as a pig in mud after he cleaned his plate.
Suffice to say, the Bluebird might brag about its famous burgers, but the biscuits and gravy are to be reckoned with. Add on top the best fresh blueberry scones I’ve ever had (served complimentary with homemade cinnamon rolls when we sat down), a well-balanced mimosa and great service, and I am finding myself ready to return as soon as possible. The Bluebird Cafe is located 13340 US-101, Hopland, (707) 744-1633. I recommend calling to check that the cafe is open, as it sometimes closes due to staffing.
On that note, what restaurant makes your favorite biscuits and gravy or country comfort food in Mendocino County? Share in the comments below or email me at sarah@mendovoice.com.
Mendocino Cookie Company celebrates 40 years
A Fort Bragg institution, Mendocino Cookie Company is celebrating a milestone 40th anniversary this month. The business started in 1984 after Don and Beverlee Younger relocated from Fremont to the town of Mendocino, according to the City of Fort Bragg, which celebrated the company in its recent city manager round-up newsletter.
The shop is a family affair, with the Younger’s daughter Wendy and son Mike overseeing baking and operations, and grandson Quinn serving as a barista. The shop bakes ten different types of cookies daily, as well as other baked goods. It also sells cookies and cookie dough at Purity Market and Jenny’s Giant Burger. If you can’t grab a cookie in store, have cookies shipped to your door via the company’s website. Happy anniversary! Mendocino Cookie Company is located at 301 N. Main St., Fort Bragg, (707) 964-0282, mendocinocookies.com.
Gowan’s wins two Good Food Awards
Anderson Valley’s Gowan’s Cider has been awarded Good Food Awards for two of its ciders. This continues the cidery’s winning streak — the family-owned business won awards in 2023, too.
The Good Food Awards celebrate food brands from around the country that not only taste delicious but also meet the environmental and social responsibility standards of the awards.
Each food category, from cider to pickles, has specific review standards that judging panels use to review every product. This may include a product being free of genetically modified organisms, made with fair labor practices and/or being free of artificial ingredients. The winners that have the best taste and meet the highest standards go on to become darlings of the culinary world and often gain distribution to retailers nationwide.
The winning ciders are Gowan’s 1876 Heirloom Cider, a blend of homegrown organic heirloom apples, and the Sierra Beauty Cider, a cider made with Sierra Beauty apples, which were once thought to be extinct, only to be found growing at Gowan’s for over 100 years. Learn more here.
Geiger’s Hopland closes
If you haven’t heard by now, Geiger’s Market in Hopland has closed. The store closed last week with a “blow-out sale” of the remaining inventory. “When we started the project in 2021 of restoring the old Hopland Superette to a new community market, the spirit, energy and economics were well aligned,” the owners published on Facebook, “Three years later, nearly to the date, various challenges proved too difficult and Geiger’s Market has closed.”
This comes after the same owners ran Geiger’s Long Valley in Laytonville into the ground. That store is set to reopen with a new owner and a revamped business model in the upcoming weeks. The Hopland market is for sale at $2.35 million. Check out the listing here and our prior coverage of the Geiger’s saga here.
Wentworth Vineyards opens tasting room in Philo
Pinot noir and chardonnay producer Wentworth Vineyards opened a tasting room at the Madrones in Philo. It’s the latest addition to the Madrones, which has tasting rooms, an inn, a restaurant and a cannabis dispensary. Wentworth Vineyards was founded in 2014 by Katie and Mark Wentworth and produces wines from vineyards in Anderson Valley and Mendocino Ridge. The tasting room opened last week and is open Mon-Fri from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 9000 CA-128, Philo, (707) 312-1230, wentworthvineyard.com.
Campovida Family Winery offering poolside “lunch and lounge” on Wednesdays
Campovida is opening up its private pool at its estate every Wednesday for guests. While us weekend warriors will have to sit out, those willing to pay $109 per person can enjoy pool access, a StockFarm wood-fired pizza or salad, dessert and a glass of wine. The adult-only poolside gathering is running now through August 28. Tickets required and available here.
Redwood Valley Calpella Firefighters Annual BBQ, July 30
Enjoy an evening of dinner and dancing at the Redwood Valley Calpella Firefighters Annual BBQ. The event starts with a dinner of tri-tip, salad, beans, garlic bread, Schats cookies, water and soda. Adults 21 and over will also receive a free drink ticket for local beer or wine. The Fargo Brothers and Warehouse 21 will perform. There will also be fire truck rides and a kids’ zone. Proceeds benefit the fire department. Saturday, July 30, 4:30-11 p.m., adults $25, seniors (65+) $20, kids $10, 8481 East Rd., Redwood Valley, tickets on sale here.
July register roundup at Ukiah co-op supports tribal-led land restoration
Shoppers at Ukiah Natural Foods can round up their purchases to support the Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance. The nonprofit’s mission is “to cultivate land stewardship, livelihood, and leadership skills that weave collaborative relationships between Tribal members and the community at large, for the benefit of all lands and beings.” Mon.-Sun., 7 a.m.-8 p.m., 721 S. State St., Ukiah, (707) 462-4778, ukiahcoop.com.
July register roundup in Willits supports senior center
In Willits, customers at Mariposa Market can round up their grocery purchases to support the Willits Harrah Senior Center. The nonprofit’s mission is “to assist Seniors within the greater Willits City area, to provide needed services to Willits Seniors including but not limited to nutrition, financial assistance, social inspiration and transportation and to promote the general welfare of Willits Seniors by providing a meeting place for social gatherings, education, and activities.” Mariposa Market, Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 500 S. Main St., Willits, (707) 459-9630.
Join Mendocino County Foodies on Facebook!
My friend Serena Alexi and I started Mendocino County Foodies on Facebook to provide a place to share and learn about food and beverage culture in Mendocino County, including home cooking and recipes, wineries and breweries, favorite restaurants and farmers’ markets, and more. Join the conversation here.
Small but equally important updates
In Fort Bragg – The Alley Grill Food Truck is now serving tacos de birria on the weekends. Milano Hotel and Bar is now offering pickle-flavored margaritas. North Coast Brewing Company won the “Best Light Lager” award for its Scrimshaw Pilsner at the BBQ, Brews and Blues beer competition in Reno in June. Congrats!
In Laytonville – La Casona Del Cielo has installed a Primo Water filtration vending machine outside.
In Point Arena – Izakaya Gama is now charging 20% per service in lieu of receiving tips “to ensure that everyone receives a fair wage, as well as consistent hours in the slower months.”
In Redwood Valley – Thai Tasty is closed until September 1.
In Ukiah – Castle Mini Donuts is closed through July 23.
In Willits – April Mays Drive Thru Espresso celebrated its 10-year anniversary in June. Happy anniversary!
some months ago I was surprised at some very excellent biscuits and gravy at the Good Life café in Mendocino…the best I’ve tried many years
Great to hear Joe. I’ll add it to my to do list! Thank you for reading!
David’s deli in fort Bragg has waaaaay better gravy than the bluebird. Sorry. But it’s true.
David’s is great – I need to try the biscuits and gravy now! Thanks for sharing and reading Betty!
Schats Bakery in Ukuah serves my favorite. However I have never tried Bluebirt nor Good Life.
I’ll have to check out Schat’s B&G. Thanks for commenting (and reading) Tom!