Story by Paul Williams (@Thizzle75)

Yolo County is a significant contributor to the state of California’s agriculture industry; offering a diverse variety of crops that include tomatoes, wine grapes, and various nuts and fruits.

So when my wife recently started a new job in Davis (located 11 miles west of Sacramento), it gave me an opportunity to discover and explore some of the local eateries that benefit from fresh, homegrown ingredients of the region.

We live about 20 miles from Davis, so my wife makes the commute to a town that includes “The Bicycle Capital of the World” as one of its several nicknames.

I would make the trip that way every other Friday when it was my RDO (regular day off) so we could have lunch together; plus on some Saturdays, the both of us would be in the area for the Davis Farmers Market.

This is a story for another day, but I have to say the produce they have on display at that farmers market is always phenomenal and so fresh that you can actually smell the freshness in the air.

Having the market located near the downtown area (301 C Street, Central Park), there are plenty of options that cater to different palates within the vicinity.

And though it can be a “decisions, decisions” situation in regard to selecting a place to dine in Davis, other nearby towns within Yolo County, such as Woodland and Winters, also add their own individual flair and play an equal part in contributing to the region’s agriculture reputation.

Take a look below at five restaurants within Yolo County that are ahead of the game as far as producing locally, sourced dishes that are delicious.

1. BUCKHORN STEAKHOUSE

2 Main Street, Winters CA 95694

If you live within or near Yolo County and craving a good steak, then you can’t go wrong with Buckhorn Steakhouse.

What makes Buckhorn unique from other steakhouses is that their steaks are hand-butchered in-house. These steaks, which are all Certified Angus Beef, are then wet-aged between 30 to 60 days.

There are other choices outside of steak that Buckhorn has on the menu; like the rack of lamb or grilled salmon.

There are also meat-free dishes which feature local and fresh produce, including their popular fresh sourdough bread and whipped butter.

Buckhorn provides a welcoming environment where it is easy to make a new friend or two, and it is a great central meeting location in downtown Winters.

Buckhorn was acquired by John and Melanie Pickerel in 1980; but in 2018, their daughter Emarie VanGalio took over as her parents took a step back from running both Buckhorn Steakhouse and Putah Creek Cafe (see No. 2 for more on Putah Creek).

Emarie serves as the COO for Buckhorn Cafe Inc. after spending more than a decade in the hospitality industry in London, the Cayman Islands, San Francisco, and Napa.

In early 2022, Emarie created the DeVilbiss Room, an exquisite and welcoming bar & lounge available for all the guests.

The DeVilbiss Room is available from Thursday through Sunday for drinks and bites, and reservations are not required. Tables are, however, on a first come first serve basis.

Reservations are highly recommended if you would like to dine at Buckhorn.

2. PUTAH CREEK CAFE

1 Main Street, Winters CA 95694

Right across the street from Buckhorn Steakhouse is their sister restaurant… Putah Creek Cafe.

The same Pickerel/VanGalio family-owned and operated restaurant has been a favorite spot for locals in downtown Winters for over 35 years.

Putah Creek gives you an amazing experience in a laid-back environment right on the corner of Main Street; giving the locals of Winters another great choice to dine.

Putah Creek opens daily at 8 a.m., and everything featured on the menu is scratch-made locally. Whether you’re enjoying a coffee with Em’s Country Fried Steak for breakfast or one of their favorite wood-fired pizzas for dinner, this restaurant takes a lot of pride in serving the community.

A full bar is also available that features one drink I highly recommend… the Bacon Bloody Mary!

Both General Manager Hattie Butler and Chef Sarun Kao lead their team in helping provide a friendly atmosphere every day. And one thing to note is a lot of their staff have been there for over 15 years, helping to create cohesiveness and continuity that are keys in helping local businesses thrive.

This charming, small-town Cafe constantly shows why they are a staple in downtown Winters.

3. CAFE BERNARDO

234 D Street, Davis CA 95616

Cafe Bernardo has a total of four locations within the Sacramento region, with one being situated in downtown Davis; and is a very popular spot for brunch.

Located near Central Park, Cafe Bernardo is an excellent choice for a bite to eat after frequenting around the Davis Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.

This casual restaurant uses the concept based on European tradition of cafe dining, while offering a seasonal farm-to-fork menu within a comfortable atmosphere. For over 30 years, Cafe Bernardo as a whole has given the Sacramento Valley reason to come back.

The Davis location may be small and you order from the counter before grabbing a number and choosing your seats, but they do offer outside seating which is nice to take advantage of on a nice day. The staff also bring your order out to you with a smile on their faces.

The breakfast tacos and Grilled Salmon BLT are two pretty popular dishes; or you can keep it simple with a two-egg breakfast which comes with herb potatoes, toast, and your choice of meat.

But whether you’re coming in for a meal or just grabbing a cup of coffee, Cafe Bernardo is a good spot to take a small break whenever you’re hanging out in downtown Davis.

4. THE BURGER SALOON

601 Main Street, Woodland CA 95695

Nothing beats a good craft burger; and The Burger Saloon (TBS) offers over 30 different burgers to choose from on their menu.

From the Bistro Burger (which features brie, a fried egg, mixed greens, crumbled bacon, and roasted garlic aioli sauce) to the Bacon-Bacon Burger (thick-cut Bacon, aged cheddar, and a bacon aioli sauce), not every restaurant can channel their inner-creativity when it comes to putting together burgers like TBS can.

But even though the burgers are made of hand-pressed Certified Angus Beef, TBS (established in 2012) also offer hand-pressed turkey, char-grilled chicken breast, jumbo Portobello mushroom or (for you vegan fans) veggie patties as alternative options.

With almost countless options to choose from, there is something for everyone at TBS no matter the type of palate you have. And set in a historic building in downtown Woodland, it’s a nice place to either catch a ball game or chat it up with your friends.

5. HE’S FROM PHILLY CHEESESTEAKS

729 Main Street, Woodland CA 95695

If Harold & Kumar can travel miles for White Castle sliders, then I see no issue with making a small road trip for a delicious Philly cheesesteak sandwich. And sorry folks; I’m not talking about making the trek from Cali to Philadelphia.

Located a block down on Main Street from TBS sits He’s From Philly Cheesesteaks; serving up true Philly cheesesteaks in Woodland using only the finest ingredients. As you enter the historic building the restaurant is located in, you will notice Philadelphia sports memorabilia shown around the establishment.

The shop was opened in 2023 by Tracey Trotman, the owner originally hailing from the heart of Philadelphia. He brings his passion for this iconic sandwich by keeping everything authentic… including the bread that is sourced directly from Philadelphia.

This ensures the authenticity of a good cheesesteak as the bread soaks up the juices from the tender, ribeye meat. This is key because a cheesesteak is only as good as its bread.

The Liberty Bell “Bell Ringer” (pictured above) is a popular sandwich at He’s From Philly; a spicy spin on the cheesesteak sandwich as it also features jalapenos. Other items such as hoagies, chicken wings, and cheese curds are also available.

Besides the amazing cheesesteaks, Tracey Trotman goes above and beyond every day making sure those who dine at He’s From Philly have the best experience possible. He has established himself within the Woodland community and is quickly becoming one of the most talked about local spots in Yolo County.

We need more authentic cheesesteak shops like He’s From Philly in Northern California!