Hansen’s Fine Dining

This place was amazing. Sadly it’s no longer in business and no one else comes close.

Thursday night 5:30 pm closed so we went next door to Pioneer Pizza– looks delicious & the owner is very friendly. The Pizza was great for a one horse town. We stop at Pioneer Pizza every time we come through Caliente on the way from southern Utah to Northern California.

I have had the pleasure of eating at Hansen’s Fine Dining in Caliente at least four times in the last several years. Each time was an absolute delight.
I live in Los Gatos, California, and do a lot of backpacking. When I do a hike in Utah or Arizona I always plan my trip to arrive in Caliente to be able to dine at Hansen’s. It is always a marvel to find this excellent restaurant way out there in eastern Nevada.
I am planning a trip for the summer of 2013 and I am absolutely planning it to be able to dine at Hansen’s both going and coming. Hansen’s is part of my basic schedule planning.
The range of the menu always amazes me and the quality is always high. I quite frankly don’t understand how this little restaurant manages to make it happen. I salute you!

So we find ourselves in Caliente, NV (one of my misguided road trips — sigh)…anyways, we ask the babe at the front desk of the Shady Hotel for a good place to eat, and she recommends Hansen’s. Trip Advisor also had some positive reviews of Hansen’s so we figured we’d check it out.
We weren’t too optimistic, but since the place served alcohol (most of the other restaurants didn’t since this is Mormon country), we figured we could at least get drunk!
The restaurant had some mighty eclectic décor — fake oriental rug, Indian blankets (also faux) hanging on the walls, fake flowers everywhere, and lots of Victorian furniture (real).
Were we surprised by the food — it was fantastic! Our server was a beautiful, friendly young woman whose aunt owned the joint. All the food — including the salad dressings, rolls, etc. were homemade and were so freaking good!
We started with stuffed mushrooms with homemade sausage, herbs and garlic that was followed by a wonderful salad of mixed greens, tomatoes, carrot, cukes, etc. and topped by an amazing blue cheese dressing.
They faltered a bit with the main courses — my chicken Marsala had plenty of mushrooms and Marsala sauce, but the chicken itself was about half a freaking bird instead of a cutlet. Maybe that’s just how they make it there? Hmm… My hon of hons husband had a filet and wasn’t that crazy about the cut of meat, but he sure loved his mountain of garlic mashed potatoes with gravy and the tasty mixed veggies that accompanied the dish.
We were too full for dessert, but the pies and cakes she displayed to us looked great.
If you are ever in Caliente, NV — check it out — but remember the joint is only open Thursday-​Saturday.
Tell them Hon sent you!