Who says fast food needs to be uber-processed and unhealthy? Check out one of Tahoe's locally owned mom and pop places for fresh food on the fly.

Black Bear Coffee Shop & Deli
120 Country Club Dr, Incline Village, NV
(775) 832-7437
The eclectic menu includes tasty curries, patties, dolmas, and spicy breakfast burritos, plus American salads, sandwiches and soups. They make great coffee drinks, teas and hot chocolate. No problem here with long lines or lingo like vente or grande. Stop in and say 'Hi.' This friendly little café is a labor of love for Indu, a native of Sri Lanka. See the complete menu at http://www.blackbearcoffeeshop.com">www.blackbearcoffeeshop.com.

Sunshine Pastry and Provisions
919 Incline Way, Incline Village, NV
(775) 832-2253
Gourmet take-out at Tahoe is rare, save for this little business where you’ll find a whole deli case full of fab foods for lunch and dinner. Eat there for lunch for take food to go. Pastries are a specialty and the lemon bars are so good, they’ll make you smile. Whatever the weather, it’s always sunny at this great little deli/café owned by Chef Jenna Sonnenshein (Yep, that’s German for sunshine!) http://www.sunshinepastry.com">www.sunshinepastry.com.

Los Mariachis
889 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village, NV
(775) 833-4546
In a word, authentic. Fresh, tasty food at an unbelievable bargain, you'll almost feel guilty not paying more. It’s busy for lunch so get there early. Soft tacos and enchiladas with green sauce are delicious. No worries if you don’t speak Spanish. The owner can converse with gringos. Ask about specials not on the menu. You may get lucky with chiles rellenos!

Red Hut Café
Kingsbury Grade, Stateline, NV
(775) 588-7488
Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA.
(530) 541-9024
Follow the golden rule of dining and eat where the locals do. The in-places for morning and noon munching at South Lake are these vintage 50’s diners owned by Dick and Nancy Gardner. The Fonze would feel right at home here in a booth with chrome and red vinyl. Dig in to stacks of pancakes, huge omelets; banana, pecan and coconut waffles, grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers and BLT’s. Be sure to bring cash. No credit cards accepted. How very 50s! http://www.redhutcafe.com">www.redhutcafe.com.

Stony Ridge Uncommon Kitchen
505 West Lake Blvd, Suite 1, Tahoe City, CA
(530) 583-3663
Fresh, organic, homemade – that’s the mantra at Stony Ridge inside New Moon Organic Foods. Chef/owner Doug Baehr and wife Dawn focus on lunch and dinner take out sushi, salads, sandwiches, soups, noodle bowls, daily specials and quick-prep dinners to go, including his famous (and incredible) fish tacos! There is one small counter inside and tables outside in summer. The Uncommon Kitchen is a “fast and healthy ethnic deli.” http://www.uncommonkitchen.org/">www.uncommonkitchen.org.

Bridgetender
65 W Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA
(530) 583-3342
Inside or outside, this popular spot across from Fanny Bridge has great big, sloppy, made-fresh-to-order burgers with all the trimmins’, plus other sandwiches, salads and soups. The patio sits above the Truckee River where you can watch the rafters go by. Lots of plants, umbrellas, and a cool Tiki/style bar gets you thinkin’ party time in Margaritaville.

Izzy’s Burger Spa
20 Highway 28 Crystal Bay, NV
(775) 832-0707
Have a tasty burger picnic between the Nugget casino and Crystal Bay Club. The burgers are big and fresh, the price is right, and it’s a whole lot better than eating inside on a sunny day. If you don’t do beef, there’s veggie or turkey, plus chicken and salmon. Soft drinks are served outside and you can go into the Nugget for beer.

The Old Post Office Café
5245 No Lake Blvd, Carnelian Bay, CA
(530) 546-3205
This Tahoe landmark serves the best and biggest breakfast at the lake, seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. They close at 2 p.m. because owners Frank and Linda Jansen are tired after 32 years of doing this or they would probably keep right on turning out those yummy omelets, waffles and pancakes. If it’s lunch you’re looking for, they’ve got yummy sandwiches at the Old PO and Italian soda floats, too! The place is popular and often crowded so go early, go often.

Piper’s Patisserie
10068 Donner Pass Rd Truckee, CA
(530) 582-2256
Just about anything you want - sandwiches, soups, salads, hot dishes, coffees and espresso drinks, sodas, wine, beer, and of course, French cookies, pastries and gelato. The place has an Americanized-French look with many little café tables for two and larger ones where you can share space and chat with others…very French! Owners Claudia Tatum & Cindy Orebaugh have another smaller place in town called Trio – wine, food and art. Check it out.

Tacos Jalisco
11400 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA
(530) 587-1131
Forget Taco Bell or Mexican restaurants that do more with décor than food. For real tacos and other good Mexican eats, including great chiles rellenos with a bit of a bite and a great sauce, seek out this unpretentious little spot tucked behind the 711 in a strip mall. They have counter service, tables and take out. No frills, just good fresh fast food.

Gateway Deli
11012 Donner Pass Rd. Truckee, CA
(530) 587-7066
When you’re hungry and in a hurry, try this little gem owned by long-time locals Tony and Delane Blaire. Everything is made fresh to order and you can choose your own combos or specialty sandwiches, soups, salads, espresso drinks, smoothies, daily specials, and deserts – breakfast, too, until 10:30 a.m. – bagels, burritos, and a superior version of an Egg McMuffin, plus a big breakfast sandwich on a French roll. Good eats!