We don’t remember every meal. We remember the moments around them. Certain dishes stay with us not because they were the most extravagant or trendy, but because of who we were with and what was unfolding in our lives at the time.
Breakfast at Two Chicks became our favorite spot as adults – my brother, sister and I carving out time to sit down together. It wasn’t part of our childhood routine; it became part of who we are now. Shared plates, lingering coffee, unhurried conversations. It’s where we reconnect, reset and remind ourselves that even as life gets busier, we can still choose to gather.
Baked Alaska at Harrah’s Steakhouse (RIP) holds a different kind of memory. Our dad (and other family members) worked there, so we weren’t just guests; we were part of the rhythm of the place. The staff knew us. Birthdays felt ceremonial when that flaming dessert came out, marking another year for me, my brother or my sister. Even though the restaurant has closed, the feeling of being known in that space still lingers. It represents a version of Reno, and of our family, that shaped my childhood.
Other dishes mark different seasons. The mushroom ravioli at Eldorado Reno reminds me of being a kid, heading to the buffet after church and going straight for the same plate every time. Pizza from Schussboom or Blind Onion feels like a reward after long Balloon Race days – tired, dusty, proud of the work done before sunrise. Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream reminds me of a night I opened up to friends and felt deeply supported. Brunch at The Shore holds birthday celebrations and the comfort of being surrounded by people who show up.
These meals are more than food. They’re anchors. They remind me that restaurants become the backdrop of our lives…places where we celebrate, decompress, grow and connect. When we support local spaces, we’re also supporting the places where our future memories will unfold.
What’s a dish in Reno that instantly takes you back to a specific moment?
Melissa Jane Ung 