If you live anywhere at all in the culinary black hole that is the Eastern Sierra, you've heard of the mythical Mono Cone. They're only open in summer tourist season, which just adds to it's legendary status as the BEST SNACK SHACK ON THE 395! I mean, come on, if I could eat there every day, I'd probably start hating them for bringing me 30 years closer to rock-solid arteries. Finally had a chance to make it out to the Mono Cone today on the way back from a sunshiney fun-filled day out on Topaz Lake. Crossing through the CA/NV checkpoint, I heard my tummy rumbling and lustfully thought about how my burger-deprived belly would murder my liver for a chance to digest a delicious treat from the Mono Cone. (I'm not some kind of food pervert or anything... If anybody else lives in Mammoth, then you know how it is. You get all food-crazed and wolf-like at the mere mention of anything edible that's not Roberto's or the fucking Pita Pit.) Luckily, the cheeseburger gods were on my side today. We pulled into town, and saw their open sign hanging in the window. We ran up to the window and ordered a bacon cheeseburger, a bleu cheese bbq burger, an order of chili fries, and an orange freeze. Their "cash only" rule meant I had to run back to the car to scramble for extra singles floating around my cupholders. I found $3 and a travel pack of Charmin toilet seat covers (?!?) and made it back to the window before the nice lady on the other side had our total ready. I sadly mentioned that "we might have to cancel the chili fries," but a super nice bearded man walking up behind us offered to pay for however much we were short. (I believe his exact words were, "you can't go without the chili fries," which sounds like an endorsement if you ask me.) ...Good thing I didn't buy that bag of Funyuns at the Topaz Chevron, because the total came out to $23 --exactly the amount in my hand. Again, the stars align for my visit to the Mono Cone. ........But $23? Ouch. That orange freeze hit the spot after driving for hours on a hot day. The Food? The food was AWESOME. The bacon cheeseburger was explosive. Cooked to perfection, with just the right amount of greasy bacon. Couldn't ask for more. The bleu cheese bbq burger had an impecabbly-cooked thick onion ring, some really tasty bbq sauce made even tastier with the addition of just the right amount of rich bleu cheese. YUM. Don't even ASK me about the chili fries. I fucking demolished them. SO... you'd THINK I'd give this fantastic little establishment a full 5 stars? Yeah, normally I WOULD. You'd think it being out in the middle of nowhere would help --I mean, it is a glorious beacon of light for road-weary travelers and those of us who live semi-nearby, but completely out of range of decent food options that don't cost half a paycheck. But seriously. I'm so conflicted every time I'm in this area: Mono Cone or Mobil Mart.... And, while the Mono Cone is HANDS-DOWN one of the best burgers around, it's also on the pricey side for a roadside stand... and the Mobil Mart has MARGARITAS. ....Booze always wins me over. Nonetheless, the Mono Cone is worth every crumpled dollar bill. But seriously, booze always wins. But who doesn't love eating a delicious burger off the hood of your car (or I guess you could sit at a table, if you are so inclined...) while little old men get ice cream in their mustaches nearby? read more

I've only had the buttermilk blackberry Shake , but it was great. I'm rating all the small shacks along the 395. Cash only. read more

Had a root beer float and it was pretty good. Could have used a bit more ice cream but it was still a nice and refreshing treat. Walked over to the world famous upsiddown house as I ate it. read more

This review is based on 1 thing only...the dipped ice cream cone!!! It was awesome, huge, creamy and the chocolate dipped outside goodness was WAY better than Foster's Freeze. How do I know? Because after the wife and I split a cone, we regretted not each getting one...and en route back home to Berkeley we went to Foster's Freeze to try to recapture the yummy experience and was sorely disappointed. read more

I tried to order a topping on the side, but "it is against store policy" to serve topping separately. I even offered to buy ice cream with topping and hold ice cream. Topping are required to be "served on the ice cream". read more

The owners want to talk to their friends while a line forms and then give you bad service.

If you are driving from southern CA to Tahoe, stop here. The burger was one of the best I've ever had. I hear the cones are good too

Best burger ever! Ok, I may have worked here as a teenager, but it's still my favorite! They have everything! The Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich is drool worthy and the onion rings are to die for. Don't even get me started on the ice cream. It's seasonal, so we try to get our fill within the 6 months that they're open. It's clean, they only use the best quality ingredients and they have both indoor and outdoor seating. Great for the whole family. It's owner operated and they take pride in their business. I'd give a million stars if I could! read more

Yummy on a hot hot day! This is such a cute little town, with friendly service. Parking is easy, and the Mono cone is yummy. Grab one if you are around. read more

Great little road side burger joint with character. If you're passing through Mono Lake stop on in for food or a snack. The burgers and fries are ok, but the best thing about this place are the various flavors of ice cream milk shakes. The mint chocolate chip milk shake is a delicious post hike/run/climb dessert while watching the sun set over the surrounding mountains. read more

The best pastrami burger I've ever eaten! Cheap, fast, greasy and delicious. Eating my burger and fries at the picnic table in the grass out back listening to 70s music was one of the highlights of my 300 plus-mile drive home! read more

This place is a rustic flashback to a simpler time. The food is diverse, greasy, flimsy, and sinfully yummy. I had the chili burger and onion rings with an iced tea. I chased all that unhealthiness with a chocolate-dipped vanilla cone (small, because I'm watching my figure). I've been going here for years and agree that the staff is unfriendly but, as you've probably noticed from other reviews, they're unfriendly to everyone so you shouldn't take it personally. If they seem nice, you should be concerned because something is wrong. If you really want to see some fireworks, ask about their vegan options. They are a bit pricy and it's cost them controlling interest in that last star... still, a solid 4.49. read more

CASH ONLY!!! So come prepared, I read about this place in sunset magazine, so we decided to check it out on the way to the June Lakes loop. The ice cream/shakes are delicious, everything else was so-so, but hey it's called mono cone so you should be getting ice cream. read more

The burgers are good. Best to eat them when they come off of the grill. Also, the ice cream is creamy and delicious. I would recommend stopping by there before or after fishing at the lake. read more

Me and daughter stopped by last summer as usual this place never disappoints.Clea .Friendly and the food was the best I have had since the last time I went to to Mono Cone. I love this place read more

Good burger, best I found in Lee Vining. Pepper jack mac & cheese bites were surprisingly good. Summer ice cream stand feel. Very casual, order at a window, pick up at the window, take to a table and enjoy. read more

I had a chocolate milkshake. It was decent, but nothing spectacular either. It did the trick on a hot day.

I always look forward to stopping at Mono Cone for a burger when I'm traveling 395. Skip the BK and McBarf in Mammoth and get some honest food at Mono Cone! Food is good and the view is spectacular! Don't forget to bring cash, no takey plastic. read more

They would NOT make the order right..so if you're ever in the area- the desserts are great but expect shitty customer service.

Stopped here while driving through. For the price, you can't beat these burgers or the extensive menu. Great backyard seating as well.

Thanks Mono cone for nothing. Ordered chocolate lovers shake. When I got it took one bite and discovered it had nuts which I'm allergic to. Took it back to the owner who didn't care. Told me I should know brownies have nuts. Asked for a water so I could clear my throat and she tried to charge me for the cup. Great customer service you jerks One star cuz you can't post zero! read more

My wife and I drove by here on our way back to Reno. Good fast food hamburgers and shakes. The only thing that we thought was strange is that they don't except credit or debit cards, kind of inconvenient but the food was good. Reminds me of those old fashioned ice cream places. Worth stopping by if your looking for a quick bite. read more

I thought there would be more ice cream flavors but instead they only have chocolate, vanilla, or combo. They have many toppings for sundaes and milkshakes though. They have burgers and such also. read more

I was surprised. Not many options in town. Some of the highlights were the Mac and cheese bites, fish taco, and the burgers. The sweet potato fries were also good. Would recommend and would stop here over taking another risk at any other place. read more

This throwback Burger Shack is a must stop as you explore the area. We live nearby and our family finds every excuse to eat here. Consistently good food, no matter what you choose. The Burgers are excellent. All ice cream choices sure to please. A large half-n-half cone stirs up happy childhood memories. The ONLY criticism is they operate as Cash only so be prepared. It's a shame they close for the season because it's worth a drive thru a blizzard to satisfy the urge. read more

Always great to get soft serve ice cream here after a long day of hiking. We look forward to this stop every time we are in the area.

My family has been coming here for years. Every time we camp in Lee Vining, we go to Mono Cone several times during our stay. The food is good and the ice is fantastic. My kids who are grown now have been ordering their flavor burst ice cream since they were toddlers. Before we left for home today, we went one last time and it's just a great family tradition we treasure. The owners still remembered my parents from over 13 years before when they were season regulars. Great place! read more

Very good. Beautiful day, so was nice to sit our back in the grassy area at the picnic tables to eat our delicious burgers and huge order of fries (might consider sharing an order) the sweet potatoe fries were really yummy. Large selection of unique burgers and many different flavors of milkshakes (for example caramel & sea salt also buttermilk shakes). Small indoor seating area. CASH ONLY read more

This place has been around for ages! Not many ice cream shack options in this area, so it does the trick. Nothing too fancy and its on the high side. I usually get a soft serve cone dipped in chocolate. Oh, and the flies are no joke. read more

What else could be better after an early morning of fishing?!?! Mono Cone of course! TB told me of the place. Apparently its been here for years. As you can read from previous reviews, this place is yummy. Shakes are awesome. Burgers and fries are awesome Ice Cream cones are awesome. Have to deduct a star because of the enclosed dining area. No ventilation what so ever so it smells gross. There is sitting out back by the restrooms but there are flies eveywhere. read more

We always get burgers fries and milkshakes here after our backpacking trips! They never disappoint!

This place is an oasis in the desert. I stop here whenever I go up to Mammoth Lakes in the summer. Burgers here are good and the milkshakes are awesome! If you are coming down the grade from Tioga Pass or are simply in the area make sure to stop by this joint. You won't be disappointed. read more

Food was good. Ice cream was good. This use to be a regular stop for the family. The last time we were there they got my order wrong. Owner was a complete jerk about it. Said there was no way they made a mistake and refused to make the correct sandwich for me. Customer service is horrible. We will never go there again and I tell everyone I can to avoid the place including our scout troop which use to stop there every year. Not anymore! Avoid this place like the plague. They don't care about their customers. It's a shame because the food is decent. read more

Awesome little stop on the go after coming through Yosemite heading to Bishop, Ca! Ordered a bacon cheeseburger with fries and a milkshake. It was delicious! Definitely going back for more! read more

Love monocone. We always make the trip here when we visit mammoth. Delicious burgers and shakes.

My peanut butter shake was delicious. $5 for one and only size about a medium I would say. Will come back when in the area.

All the yums from my childhood in one place. Soft serve sundaes, thin burgers with all the fixins, fried pickles (OK, maybe those are from more recently than childhood). It's the perfect roadside burger stand. Can't endorse the full menu, but the burger was In and Out-quality, soft serve was generous and tasty, sides were fried and delivered on expectations. We were only driving through, but the staff and locals waiting for their food were chatty and super friendly. On pricing, this place is on the very affordable side. If you think it's expensive, you ain't from around here (by here, I mean California. Or any city in the US of A, really). The flies though. So many. It was weird. read more

Absolutely best cheese burger anyplace, worth rhe drive. They make milk shakes with buttermilk added, sounds crazy but good.

Softee-Serve Roadfood heaven! Get the SMALL softee serve because it's enormous! Perfect deep-fried burgers, fries and cones with a gorgeous vintage sign. Adorable yard in the back to eat at and don't miss the upside-down house around the corner. This is roadfood dreams-come-true. Unfancy, unpretentious, authentic and delicious! read more

No frozen yogurt as said on the description. Ice cream flavors are just chocolate, vanilla and half and half.