We didn't order food. We stopped by for a drink and ended up in love with the place and the people. The owner was absolutely a charmer, the locals extremely friendly and welcoming. I'm excited to bring my family and friends in the future to this spot.
So glad to see the Willow reopen! Great service and the fondue and beef and cheese sliders were great. We really appreciated the local Bear Tent brews on tap. Check out instagram for the new menu as the website is not current. Best of luck to the new owners!
Stopped in for a light meal and a drink after a hike recently. Its been years since ive been here. I was pleased with what the new owners have done to the place. Ate in the bar and watched football. They had a small menu for lunch. I had the shredded pork tacos. Very good. The owner and I got to talking and he took us around the place to look at the historic photos of the area! Very nice guy and loved some of the old stories! Stop on by!
It was our first time to The Willow this afternoon and it was so charming. The food was delicious, atmosphere was cozy and the staff was so welcoming! Go enjoy this sweet little gem.
Drove by today and realized I forgot to leave a review after we left on Saturday night. This place is so charming and inviting it was our second time here and I was happy to see the menu had more items, the owner went around and greeted everyone who was having dinner the food was amazing our waitress recommended the French dip which was our favorite and she was the nicest person ever and attentive to our group we will definitely be having dinner here again!
Had to send the chili and the “fondue” back for being room temperature and solidly in the food-poisoning temperature range. Menu is confusing and poorly phrased, also the “famous” fondue is homemade (I think? Might be from a can) nacho cheese… The “artisan sourdough” is a chopped up sandwich French roll… not sourdough. The bread we were served with the fondue was a chopped up version of the French Dip’s roll. Tried to keep a good attitude about everything but they really need to get their back of house in order. Waiter and hostess were delightful. Cook is gonna get someone hurt.
What a historic gem. The Willow has been in continuous operation since 1862, and you can feel that history the moment you walk up to it. Originally called the “Willow Hotel,” it took its name from the trees that stood here long before the Gold Rush began. In its heyday, this place hosted an impressive list of guests — President McKinley, Mrs. Robert E. Lee, and even the legendary Bat Masterson among others. Fires have taken their toll over the years, and much of the original structure was lost in 1982, but the original redwood bar survived, and it’s still one of the standout features. The Willow is also internationally known for its ghost stories, adding an extra layer of personality to an already fascinating landmark. A wonderful stop if you love Western history, Gold Country charm, and a place with real character. The Willow Saloon continues to enrich local history while preserving its long-standing reputation for good food, good drink, and a few lingering spirits of the past.
Just reopened. Only a soft smaller menu but good for a quick bit and full bar!