With a rich history dating back to 1959, Shoestring in Placerville has been serving up chili-topped everything to locals and visitors alike. The place has real staying power in a town full of come-and-go restaurants, which tells you something about what they’re doing right.

Their chili is the star. It’s versatile enough to work on hot dogs, French fries, or burgers, and people genuinely get excited about it. The pastrami sandwiches are solid too—the kind of sandwich that justifies a detour if you’re driving through El Dorado County. Their rib eye steak sandwich is another thing they do well. The menu has enough variety that you won’t struggle finding something you want to eat.

What makes Shoestring work for traveling with a dog is the outdoor patio, where you can sit with your dog while you eat. It’s not fancy, but it’s genuine and relaxed. You’re not stuck eating at a picnic table in a parking lot or dealing with a dining establishment that’s clearly just tolerating your presence. The patio feels like a normal part of how the restaurant operates, not an afterthought.

The building itself has that Gold Country feel—nothing pretentious, just straightforward food in a place that’s been around long enough to know what it’s doing. Placerville sits at a convenient spot if you’re exploring the Sierra foothills or heading toward the national forests, so Shoestring works as either a destination in itself or a solid lunch stop when you’re in the area with your dog. The outdoor seating means you can take your time without worrying about tables turning over quickly. Check their Yelp page for current hours before you go, since they do close for breaks.