It’s a blustery, rainy day. Winter storms stack themselves up so tightly together that I can’t tell what’s coming and going as the wind whips around my car and splatters sheets of rain on my windshield. But it’s worth the trip as the thought of holiday leftovers loses its luster in comparison to the treat of a meal out. I drive cautiously despite the growl in my stomach, knowing hot coffee and friendly faces will greet me upon my safe arrival.
Judy’s Junction was once a fairly common visit for me when family came to town. We’d always end our time together with a breakfast and goodbye hugs before they left. But a few years and a couple of moves later, Judy’s Junction became a distant memory because it was no longer as close and convenient to visit. And although my memories of the restaurant grew dim over the years, the feeling of coming home remains strong in my mind today.
I swing open the doors to see what’s changed. Not much. The bakery display no longer showcases baked goods, but everything else seems exactly the same. Dated red-and-gray square tile floors beckon visitors to the right for larger gatherings or to the left, closer to the kitchen and bar, where the secured bar stools hold decades of stories and memories, along with a few smaller tables lining the wall. I head to the left and am barely seated before I’m greeted and promised that hot cup of coffee I’ve been tasting the whole drive down the mountain. For a breakfast-and-lunch diner, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the menu’s many choices. But in the end, breakfast has always won for me when visiting Judy’s Junction. And today is no exception.
Let’s see, will it be classic biscuits and gravy or an omelet? And then there are always pancakes, pork chops, and chicken-fried steak. Just how hungry am I? In the end, and also because I can’t remember everything I’ve eaten before, I go with a bit of everything, knowing my kids at home will gladly fill up on the leftovers.
I place my order and take a closer look around while sipping on my coffee. Everything is country decor here, except for the pop music softly playing on the ’90s-era radio just outside the kitchen. But from floor to ceiling, it’s all visiting grandma’s house, which just happens to be in the country, and she isn’t ashamed to have country in her home. It’s nostalgic and comforting this cold, crisp, and very wet January morning. It takes me a minute to realize my table is neatly framed by curtains pulled back from the wall. I laugh quietly, realizing that even if there’s no window, curtains are strangely effective and quite charming.
I don’t have much time to fully absorb it all before dishes full of food start coming. One memory quickly returns: at Judy’s Junction, come hungry.
Take the chicken-fried steak, for example. Its size dwarfs the hash browns. And every bite smothered in gravy starts out crispy but soon dissolves in your mouth, making it exceptional in my mind. It’s the perfect texture, with no chewy or rubbery bites, and the hash browns are cooked exactly as I ordered.
Next, mile-high biscuits and gravy. To be clear, I have never seen biscuits as tall as Judy’s Junction biscuits. They are light, fluffy, and oversized like everything else served here. The gravy is loaded with flavor and not over-peppered, making every bite smooth, rich, and creamy.
And let’s not forget about the house potato scramble, loaded with veggies, including sauteed onions, peppers, mushrooms, and spinach, complete with a side of toast. I ordered it light on the cheese, and there was plenty still.
Even after a valiant effort and stuffing myself full of Judy’s Junction comfort food, I barely made a dent in any of my plates, which I know will be welcome news to my kids.
I leave with two thoughts. Judy’s Junction’s food, hospitality, and comfortable, come-as-you-are atmosphere haven’t changed. It’s more than the dishes; it’s the casual diner experience and service one always hopes for. Second, Judy’s Junction is 100% comfort food indulgence; if I were a vegetarian, it probably wouldn’t be my first choice. Yep, it’s everything I was hoping for today and more!
Judy’s Junction
375 E Hwy 20, Upper Lake, CA 95485
Phone: (707) 275-0905
Menu: facebook.com
