Came for a late lunch around 2:00 and it was starting to snow, so we got seated right away. The construction for the bridge makes it a little tricky to get to the restaurant, but just going around the back way leads you right into the parking lot. The lot was full, but we did take the last spot. The service was good and our food came out pretty quickly as the restaurant was packed, yet there was no one waiting. We ordered the fish and chips which were good. The fries were a bit cold, but the fish was hot and crispy. We also got the elk burger and it was good, but didn't notice a huge difference in the taste. The bbq sauce had a berry flavor and it was good, but not sure if I would enjoy it on the burger. The ambiance was chill and it cleared out pretty good by the time we finished. So if you're headed off the slopes or heading home for the day 3:00 is a good time to stop by with no wait time and good parking. read more

This is a good place if you want to sit outdoors with a nice view of the Truckee River. There's also indoor seating but it's a little dark. The service was quick and friendly but unfortunately the food was lacking in flavor. Our burger was well done and dry even though we ordered it medium. The fish tacos presentation was a bit of a mess. There was lots of fresh avocado and cabbage but it was indistinguishable from a salad. The beer battered fish in the tacos was hard to find. *I'd come back purely for the outdoor ambiance and the beautiful patio setting near the river. Maybe just drinks and apps next time?! read more

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I've been coming to Bridgetender for close to a decade as a part‑time Tahoe City local. I know prices go up, but today I ordered a margarita at the outdoor bar and the bill was seventeen dollars. When I mentioned that the last time I was in it was around fourteen or fifteen, the bartender shrugged and said the prices went up, then looked at my blue TAHOE hat and added: "Maybe you shouldn't wear that hat." Later, after I accidentally spilled the drink, I went back up and honestly explained what happened, and was told I'd need to buy another one at full price. No offer of any accommodation, no basic hospitality, just attitude. For a place that's built so much of its brand on being a laid‑back Tahoe staple, it's pretty wild to treat a longtime customer like they're both an inconvenience and a punchline. read more

3 stars because the waitress was working her tail off and was friendly. 1 stars because the restaurant was understaffed-waitress was the hostess, bartender, server, etc. Food was MEH-not good, not bad. What you would expect from a restaurant in Tahoe that caters to visitors and don't expect people to come back. Fries were decent but could have done without the frozen burger patty Wouldn't be rushing back here! read more

Alas! We found food we liked on our trip to the North Shore. Who knew a chili dog would be so tasty! Can you say chili? The chili dog was loaded with more than enough chili and was very tasty. My husband and I enjoyed our visit. Our server and service was great! The restaurant was busy and had a fun atmosphere. read more

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Firstly, the online menu is wayyy outdated. A cheeseburger there will easily set you back $19, not $8.95. Ordered chicken sandwiches - chicken avocado and bacon and the buffalo chicken sandwich. Each were $19 without fries (+$5). I don't mind paying for good food, but chicken thighs are not what I thought we were getting. Chicken thigh meat on sandwiches is a definite miss. The meat is greasy tasting. Fortunately I like chicken thighs but not on burgers. Their Moscow mule is not served in a copper mug, and they don't offer WiFi to patrons which is a real bummer since there's no service. As a local Reno family, we've been coming to this restaurant for 10 years but will opt to try a different place next time. read more

A bit disappointed by BridgeTender Tavern. I was very hopeful that this spot would be good considering it was very busy. Instead we were met with very below average food and poor service. I ordered the burrito and I don't think I've had anything more bland in my life. It was incredibly dry and flavorless. The texture of the asada was that of a rubber shoe. The salsa was the only thing that made it bearable, but the cup it came in started to disintegrate from sogginess by the end of the meal. My friends said they enjoyed their meals but felt that they were nothing great. We were frustrated when, after placing our order, our waffle fries never came out. Because our waiter never came to check on us, we had to flag down a different waiter to request them. The fries didn't show up at our table until after we had completed our entrees. Somehow the fries were the best tasting part of the meal. It seems like the servers and waiters were too busy blasting music and dancing in the kitchen to serve people. Other than that, the vibes and ambience of this place are amazing. The restaurant consists of an indoor bar area with a few tables and a lovely outside patio overlooking the Truckee River. The patio is gorgeous and perfect vibes for a drink. Would I recommend this place for food? Definitely not. But for drinks and fries? For sure! Just depends on what you're looking for. read more

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HONEST RATING 3.5/5. However, you cannot give half stars on Yelp. There were a good variety of tasty sounding food options on the menu, but everything seemed overpriced for what it was (tourist pricing?). Shared the totchos (which you can also get as nachos) and ahi tacos. Totchos were very flavorable and a very large portion; they came with a generous helping of guacamole and the pulled pork on it was good. Ahi tacos lacked flavor and seemed very dry; would not recommend. I would definitely had added some cheese and/or black beans to give them more substance and flavor. So overall, the food was okay, but nothing to write home about. Staff was friendly, ambience was cozy. read more

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Highly recommend stopping by if you're visiting Tahoe! This is our second summer coming up here, and every time we make sure to visit this spot -- the vibe on the lakefront and right by the river is just incredible. Add in great service and tasty food, and it's the perfect combo. We came on a weekend evening, and even though it was busy, we were seated super fast -- within about 5 minutes. A little tip: the menu inside and outside is slightly different. For example, if you want BBQ ribs, you can order them inside and then bring the plate out to your table yourself. My boyfriend did exactly that and got his dinner in about 10 minutes, while the rest of us waited around 15 minutes for ours. The portions are huge -- so much so that almost everyone ended up taking food to go. Perfect Tahoe spot to soak in the views, the vibe, and the food! read more

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I came for the river vibe and ended up staying way longer than planned. Picture this: six of us at a picnic table under the trees, the Truckee River sliding by on one side and a lively patio on the other. It's the kind of place where Tahoe afternoons stretch into golden hour without anyone noticing. (Yes, that riverside patio is the move here.) Service? Helpful and unfussy--the team explained the patio vs. indoor ordering quirk in two sentences and waved me inside to grab ribs while the rest of our crew ordered outside. No attitude, no drama, just "we'll get you fed." That flexibility matters when you're wrangling six appetites. Food rundown from our table: * Wings: crisp skin, sticky-sweet heat; disappeared first. * Fish & chips: classic pub batter, lots of lemon, clean fry. * Burgers: big, juicy, and onto toasted brioche--exactly why locals love BT. (If you're a first-timer, add the famous waffle fries; they're a house staple.) Checks + value: our food total was $210 for six, plus $30 in tips--call it ~$40 per person with a beer. Price-wise it's Tahoe-resort normal, and the patio setting carries a premium I'm willing to pay when the river's doing its thing. For context, crowd favorites here include the turkey and elk burgers and those waffle fries; it's not a secret. Honest notes: not every plate was a home run--our group's scores ran the gamut (3, 4, 4, 4.5, 5, 5). That's real life with a big order. My take lands at a confident 4/5 overall: outdoor atmosphere and easy service carry the day, wings and fries lead the menu, and the patio is exactly what you want in Tahoe City. (Pro tip: if the patio menu doesn't list what you want--like ribs--order at the bar inside and bring it out. Smooth.) Would I come back? 100%. Next round, I'm hunting down the elk burger with blueberry BBQ and a river-view table again. Final: Solid 4/5. If Tahoe had a "greatest hits" food court, this patio is track one. read more

BridgeTender Tavern - Bars Near Me - Tahoe City, California

Love this old spot but they are chronically understaffed and the chef needs a refresh. I've been coming here 20 years but in the past year I've been seated twice and then had to walk out after 20 minutes when nobody came by to take my order. None of the food is quite as good as it used to be here, either They need an infusion of new energy. read more

Great service, atmosphere, had the Bloody Mary, chicken noodle and small salad, great food and the price very reasonable. read more

BridgeTender Tavern - Bars Near Me - Tahoe City, California

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We stopped by BridgeTender for lunch on a Saturday and were glad we did. It's a well known local spot right by the river at the entrance to Tahoe City. The decor has a cozy, rustic cabin feel with lots of wood. The main dining room is dim and comfortable with plenty of booths, and there's also outdoor seating if the weather's nice. Even for a Saturday afternoon, we were seated quickly. I can see how it would get crowded during peak summer or ski season, but it was fairly relaxed when we went. The staff was friendly, fast, and efficient, which made the whole experience easy and pleasant. We ordered the Tavern burger and the mushroom burger. Both were really good. The patties were moist, the buns nicely toasted, and the ingredients tasted fresh. The only downside is that the burgers are a bit expensive and fries cost extra, which seems to be the norm in tourist towns like Tahoe. Overall, it's a great lunch spot with good food and a comfortable vibe. I'd definitely go back read more

Bridgetender - Where Burgers are Big, Booze is Bold, and Silverware is BYO When your mother-in-law recommends a place, you're never quite sure if it's a hidden gem or a test of your intestinal fortitude. Bridgetender in Tahoe City leans delightfully toward the former--but only if you're into dimly lit cabin-core dive bars with more wood than a lumberyard and a "you're lucky we let you in" kind of charm. Before our butts even hit the seats, our waitress was already at the table, pen poised, reciting the drink menu like a cattle auctioneer. I ordered a Dark and Stormy, which lived up to its name and then some--dark, stormy, and strong enough to question your life choices (in a good way). We got the chips and green salsa because nothing says "authentic" like a suspiciously buoyant chunk of avocado doing laps in the bowl. Delicious, if you're okay fishing with a tortilla chip. The burgers? Oh, the burgers. Giant, messy, and unapologetically greasy. I got the Cajun bacon burger (with surprise toys, apparently?), while my husband braved the "Bitchin' Burger," which rocked a generous helping of pesto and zero regrets. We never got silverware, but in true dive bar fashion, we foraged and found a stash ourselves. Honestly, it added to the charm--kind of like a scavenger hunt, but for forks. Overall, Bridgetender is the kind of place where the service is quick (possibly because they want you in and out), the drinks are strong, and the burgers are bigger than your head. Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I bring my own napkins and utensils next time? Also yes. Thanks, Mom-in-law. You nailed this one. read more

BridgeTender Tavern - Bitchin pesto burger - Bars Near Me - Tahoe City, California

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Came with a group of friends for dinner. It was pretty busy around the time we came but we were seated within ten minutes. Staff were super nice but because it was so busy, there was a bit of a wait to place orders and also for our food to come out. Half the table got beers and our server was helpful in recommending beers based on what we liked. We got the "Totchos" and onion rings for the table and I ordered the fish tacos for my entree. The apps were great and I actually really enjoyed them both, probably more than my meal. Fish tacos were good as well but nothing mind-blowing. I think it could've used more sauce but flavor was still nice! Overall I think this place is a nice spot to grab dinner if you're in the area. Staff are super friendly and the food is solid. read more

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Fun, quaint dining in Tahoe City area. We originally had planned on going somewhere else but the wait was crazy so we found BridgeTender Tavern and got seated immediately. They only had one server but the service was still awesome for a summer Friday night near the lake. Got the BT Chicken which was delicious grilled chicken with smashed avocado, bacon, and all kinds of other toppings. The side of ranch was a must. The waffle fries were the perfect amount of crisp and were worth the add on price. Would definitely go again if in the area. Bonus: they have a rotating Russian River Tap and it was Pliny the Elder on draft! Was a good surprise. read more

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Love the Bridgetender! I used to come here as a young kid all the time when we had family in the area and haven't been back in over 15 years. I ordered the fish and chips and got waffle fries instead of regular (always the best option). Fish could've been a little crispier, but still great. Chicken sandwich was okay, but wish it came with fries. Beers were big, and cold!! Great place for some good, American food. This is definitely a local's favorite and was packed pretty early on a Friday morning. Atmosphere was great, really has the "Tahoe Cabin" feel. In fact, I think the vibe is really the main drawing point for me. Also, is right on the Truckee river so was able to take a nice walk afterwards with a beautiful view. Will definitely come back summertime when the patio is open again! read more

BridgeTender Tavern - Fish and Chips, Chicken Sandwich - Bars Near Me - Tahoe City, California

We had a great lunch here as a party of 8 last weekend. We initially tried to get the seating by the river but they said it was going to be an hour, but that if we wanted to sit inside the main restaurant they could probably get us in faster. We were seated in about 40 minutes at an 8 top. Our waiter was a bit scattered when trying to take our order, but he ended up getting it all correct and the food came out very fast!! Many of us upgraded to a salad for the side with our burgers, and the salads were a good size for a side salad! Also, when I asked for a side of extra pickles, they brought me a big side container which was awesome. All the burgers come with the veggies on the side, and then ketchup and mustard are at the table. Overall we had a very enjoyable meal! read more

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6 STAR WINGS!!! 100% ALWAYS GET THE WINGS!!! Burritos are great. Burgers are great. Tots take it to the next level. Chili is great. Service is always 5 star even though this spot is always crowded. Bar is the best in Tahoe City. The entire fam loves this place. The wife and I love the bar. As mentioned it's always crowded but well worth the wait. read more

BridgeTender Tavern - Bars Near Me - Tahoe City, California

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I give the location, vibe and food 4 stars it's casual with a full bar. We were hungry so sadly, we ate our food quickly! We both had two tacos, hubby fish tacos and me one chicken and one carnitas. They were tasty but definitely messy. We were there on a warm sunny day after hiking, so it was perfect! read more

BridgeTender Tavern - Lots of cute landscaping and ponds. - Bars Near Me - Tahoe City, California

Bridgetender has great food, but they really need to evaluate their business model and how they serve the local community. I work for the utility company at the lake, and after responding to multiple outage calls, I stopped by to place a to-go order so I could eat while heading to the next job. I explained to the host that I was working, was in full uniform, and didn't have time to sit down--I just needed to place an order to go before heading back out to the next outage. The host went to check with the kitchen and returned to say they were only serving dine-in guests. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time this has happened. It's disappointing because they do have great food, but the lack of flexibility--especially for people actively working in the community--is frustrating. Being able to grab a good meal really makes a difference when working long shifts. Because of repeated experiences like this, this will likely be my last visit read more

Husband grew up in Tahoe in the 60's and 70's. We visited some of his favorite places, Bridgetender being one. He said it is still the same with its wood interior and cozy layout. He noted that they really can't expand as space in Tahoe is tight and businesses are pretty much set for the footprint they started out on. The parking lot is next to Fanny Bridge renovation and we took time to watch the construction - very fascinating. We visited during the lunch hour on a week day during shoulder season. There was plenty of seating and we claimed a corner booth. Out server was attentive and friendly. Husband enjoyed the Chili Cheeseburger, but did not like the provided fork which was made of a thin stamped out metal and was uncomfortable to use. I enjoyed the Tavern Burger and did not need tableware. We both appreciated that we were consulted about how we'd like our burgers prepared and received what we asked for. The burgers are not accompanied by sides, those must be added to the order, generally for $5. For us, parking was easy; but it appears it could be a challenge during high seasons. Very happy with this location and they'd get repeat business from us if we visit again. read more

Waited almost an hour for a simple order (3 burgers and calamari). Turns out part of the order wasn't even placed until we asked again. What made it worse was the service -- staff avoided eye contact when we approached the counter and didn't communicate directly, passing the bill through another employee instead. Very unprofessional experience and disappointing service. read more

We were a party of 7 in Lake Tahoe for a wedding and found this place based on its ability to accommodate such a large party. We sat inside though it does have an outdoor patio area too. The shrimp tacos entrée was very good, and I really enjoyed the kale spinach salad. The dressing was fabulous. The atmosphere is laid back, think tavern vibes. The service was great. Our server filled our waters and brought out the food quickly. Would definitely recommend this place for a relaxed dinner for sandwiches / tacos / burritos and salads. read more

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This was a fun spot to visit. Came here after a day on the lake for a cocktail with friends. We sat outside under the umbrellas...very cozy outdoor forest atmosphere. The staff was quick to help us and get us what we needed. We will have to come back and try out the food and the indoor space. We will be back. read more

Came here after a long ski day in mid December (before the seasonal rush). Crowded and long waits but that's not their fault. Waitresses were super nice and helpful. We all ordered burgers and found that they were all quite bland but we chowed them down anyways as we were starving after a long day on the mountain. The fries were good, but something to be noted is that you have to pay extra for fries - the burgers themselves don't come with them. read more

BridgeTender Tavern - Burgers! - Bars Near Me - Tahoe City, California

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Best chili dogs ever! Our go to comfort lunch spot! Everyone needs to experience the BT!

Was craving a French dip. They didn't disappoint. In the winter the interior is comfortable, cozy, and old fashioned bar diner. Don't miss patio seating in the summer. read more

Great place! Such a beautiful outside patio right next the river! We really liked Elk burger, chicken maks burger, fries, and hot chicken wings. I would recommend this place to my friends. Great service! We will be back. read more

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Haven't been here since 2017. We had gone with friends and they had an issue with their meal so the manager gave them a $25 gift certificate to use next time. Our friends live in CO so they gave it to us. I brought it and 7 years later they honored it so that was very nice. My daughter ordered the fish and chips and a cup of clam chowder. I ordered a bacon cheeseburger protein style. The server and other employees were all very friendly. The restaurant has a large bar and a separate room with tables. My daughter asked for her soup first and when we both got our meals and she hadn't gotten her soup yet the person apologized and brought her a cup and they didn't charge us. She said it was a little watery for her liking but it tasted good. Her fish and chips were just ok. My protein burger was a little over cooked and I wish I had asked for double cheese but tasted ok too. read more

BridgeTender Tavern - Fish and chips - Bars Near Me - Tahoe City, California

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Solid pub food, decent prices, good service and a nice atmosphere. Wings (hot)- 7.2/10. Huge wings, 12 for $19, very good value. Basic fried bar wings. Sauce had good heat, but a little too sweet for me. Fish tacos- 7.0/10- two tacos for $22 with no sides. Not as good of a value but overall solid tacos. Chips and salsa- 5.9/10- $10- definitely overpriced. Chips seemed home made but undercooked. Salsa was a tomatillo with chunks of avocado, pretty good. Nothing mind blowing but good solid for tavern food. read more

Bailey was kicking ass the night we came recently. She was seating people, taking orders, working the bar. Very hard worker. My burger was amazing with some kick ass tots. Wife like her sandwich too. Beers were cold. What a great night. I've been here hall a dozen times. It's great. read more

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This place is great! The food is consistent and service is always great! Always a favorite post skiing:)

Tried an elk burger for the first time & it was delicious. Cute place right on the river! read more

BridgeTender Tavern - Kale & Brussel salad - Bars Near Me - Tahoe City, California

Waaaay over priced with average food quality. Beer is fantastic. Good ambiance when it's not crowded.

My sister & I were in town last week and stopped by for dinner on Sat 6/28 around 4:30pm. We decided to sit at the bar. Kat & Will were bartending. I got a 16oz Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing $9, and my sister got a 16oz Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA $9. For food I got the Fish Tacos $13, as well as a house salad $7 which was all good. My sister enjoyed her Grilled Shrimp Tacos $22 I was rather surprised that Kat was a bit abrupt and a bit rude at times. Will had a much better personality, which you really need to be a server. As we sat there at the bar I watched Kat eating some food off to the side, then she'd grab misc sliced fruit wedges etc... to put on the rim of people's drinks, all without washing her hands in between. I also noticed both Kat & Will were mixing cocktails in a shaker, then they'd pour them into the glass and if it didn't quite come up to the top they'd just add more ice, which meant people were basically paying for a mostly ice. read more

After a long day of skiing I really like coming to Bridgetender! Get the carne asada totchos! (I get mine with the bacon bits on the side) It's huge! I have also tried the zucchini sticks, waffle fries, fish tacos, ribs, and the burrito. The fried stuff you can't go wrong with. Burrito had a lot of lettuce- which is weird. Overall, fast and friendly service and would come back again and again for the totchos! read more

Very little meat on the pulled pork sandwich which was piled with salad greens (not coleslaw as advertised). Burnt onion rings for $16.00. Lots of poor quality food. VERY DISAPPOINTED read more

It would be best to visit the traditional spot next to the bridge. Food is good for bar food, and sitting outside when the weather permits has that traditional Lake Tahoe ambiance. The service can be spotty if it is busy - but we are in Lake Tahoe. Enjoy the time, have a beer, and celebrate that you are here. read more

Stopped here on a walk to grab some lunch. The building is really neat and the decor is a lot of fun. We ate on the patio because we had our dog and it was pretty nice to hang out in the nice weather. The waitress was really friendly and offered plenty of input when we asked questions. We settled on totchos and the Hawaiian sliders. Totchos were delicious, nice and crispy and tons of toppings. Our daughter was a fan. The sliders were just okay, I was expecting a lot more flavor from pulled pork and slaw, but it was pretty bland. The pork didn't have any sauce at all other than the dressing from the slaw and it might have had salt and pepper. Was a shame that could easily be fixed by adding some Hawaiian flavors, maybe pinepple slaw or guava bbq sauce or something similar. Overall a pleasant experience and cool vibe. read more

BridgeTender Tavern - Hawaiian pork sliders - Bars Near Me - Tahoe City, California

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