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Wheel Inn

Main St. (at the end of the ramp off I-10), Cabazon, CA - (909) 849-7012
Posted By Michael Stern on 12/26/2012 5:15:00 AM
The Wheel Inn is a roadside classic, known for the life-size dinosaurs that are like gargantuan lawn ornaments. It has long been a truckers' favorite, and its round-the-clock hours make it a convenient stop for traveling night owls. While it is immensely colorful, the real reason to visit is for the food: hearty comfort food, prepared by a chef who really knows how to cook.

The hot turkey sandwich is a good example. It is made of meat from a roasted bird (not from a “turkey loaf”), and it is accompanied by mashed potatoes actually made from potatoes (not dehydrated potato flakes). French fries to accompany hamburgers or other sandwiches are delicious. They are made fresh on the premises, served hot and salty, just oily enough to make perfect culinary sense alongside a half-pound “Dino burger” (two quarter-pound patties) on a whole-wheat sesame bun with tomato slices, lettuce, pickle, a small cup of 1000-island dressing, and (optionally) raw or grilled slices of onion.

For dessert, you want pie. Preferably banana cream pie. It isn't elegant, but it is immensely satisfying.

18 out of 18 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

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Scorecard

5 - Overall: Legendary - Worth driving from anyplace
Overall: Legendary - Worth driving from anyplace
pie
breakfast
Date Milkshake
dino burger
Biscuits & Gravy
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Reviewers Photos [Upload Your Photos]

My waitress repeatedly told me this was the best banana cream pie in the world. Though I wouldn't go that far, the pie was still creamy and dense, with plenty of banana slices.
"My waitress repeatedly told me this was the best banana cream pie in the world. Though I wouldn't go that far, the pie was still creamy and dense, with plenty of banana slices."
Cliff Strutz





The Monte Cristo came highly recommended by the waitress. This is a ham, turkey, and cheese sandwich dipped in egg and then deep-fried.
"The Monte Cristo came highly recommended by the waitress. This is a ham, turkey, and cheese sandwich dipped in egg and then deep-fried."
Cliff Strutz


The vegetable soup is loaded with celery, carrots, and potato.
"The vegetable soup is loaded with celery, carrots, and potato."
Cliff Strutz


Wheel Inn specializes in comfort food, like this fine hot roast beef sandwich.
"Wheel Inn specializes in comfort food, like this fine hot roast beef sandwich."
Cliff Strutz


The dino burger is a double (this one with grilled onions). The French fries are cut here and fried to order: delicious!
"The dino burger is a double (this one with grilled onions). The French fries are cut here and fried to order: delicious!"
Michael Stern


Mid-afternoon at the Wheel Inn. The only other customer and the waitress are entranced by the movie on the Disney Channel.
"Mid-afternoon at the Wheel Inn. The only other customer and the waitress are entranced by the movie on the Disney Channel."
Cliff Strutz


Huge dinosaur feet frame the Wheel Inn, which is actually a modest-sized truck stop diner.
"Huge dinosaur feet frame the Wheel Inn, which is actually a modest-sized truck stop diner."
Michael Stern


Inside the door in the dinosaur's tail is a staircase that leads to a second-story souvenir shop.
"Inside the door in the dinosaur's tail is a staircase that leads to a second-story souvenir shop."
Michael Stern


4am: Cabazon, California. The Wheel Inn is open round the clock. Its backyard Apatosaurus glows against the night sky.
"4am: Cabazon, California. The Wheel Inn is open round the clock. Its backyard Apatosaurus glows against the night sky. "
Michael Stern


Great french fries.
"Great french fries."
David



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