Mini-Kat

This first June Friday was sunny with hot weather predicted so I took the Rumble Bee south on seductive, curvaceous Highway 3 through ranch lands and the magnificent (even without snow) Trinity Mountains, and stopped for lunch at Trinity Center. The only visible businesses here are the KOA Campground and its market and restaurant, the Mini Kat. This is a burger/​pizza place nearly hidden from the highway by tall mixed evergreen trees. It has only outdoor seating at picnic tables. (I would have missed the restaurant if I hadn’t stopped in the store where two friendly clerks referred me «next door.»)
I ordered an ortega burger from the buxom, gray-​haired woman at the counter who called all the men «hon.» She greeted most of the customers by name so it must be a popular lunch place for locals (actually the only restaurant for many miles). It took some time before my order was ready but it was very good: large beef patty, tomato and onion slices, lettuce, green chile and cheese that the bun could not contain.

Actually lunched twice this week at the Mini-​Kat. Had a cheeseburger and ortega burger. Both were prepared perfectly. Fries and onion rings good also. Outdoor dining only.
Nice stop in an area where restaurants are few.
F

There are burger stands at every summer destination. Should you be one of the few who chooses rt 3 and the Trinity alps, plan to stop here. There aren’t a lot of choices between Weaverville and Etna, but the Mini Kat will not disappoint! Burgers, shakes, curly fries mmmm!

Milk shakes!!!

Absolutely addictive bacon chesseburgers! What’s in this thing!!!
Whether you’re staying on the campgrounds or just passing by on route 3, stop here for their bacon cheese burger! There must be something unique about the bbq sauce and the bacon, I don’t know. All I can tell you is that I had to have one… for each meal. That’s all I ate during our 3 day stay here. Now I did nibble on the pizza and beef sandwich and fish and chips that the rest of the family got but there’s no competition for the burgers here.
The curly fries with ranch dressing and thick malted shakes were two other standouts.

Best burgers around. There’s just something about these burgers to make you keep coming back. Love the Mini-​Kat!
Harry, Molly & Jack