Where to Eat and Drink In and Around Union Gap, WA

Sparkling Wine Cocktails at Treveri Cellars

I’ve been having a blast eating and drinking my through the Pacific Northwest this year – such a blast, in fact, that I’m behind on sharing all the delicious things with y’all. I had the pleasure of visiting Union Gap, Washington earlier this spring and let me tell you, this agriculture driven little town of only 6,000 is seriously bringing it in the food and wine departments. (Who knew, right?) Located in Central Washington, you can reach Union Gap in under an hour on one of four flights Alaska Airlines offers daily from Seattle.

Located in the heart of Union Gap, Los Hernandez Tamales have been bringing the world legendary tamales since 1990. I had the pleasure of meeting Felipe Hernandez, the godfather of it all who told me stories of how his sister started the business over 25 years ago selling tamales out of a cooler from door to door. They are now nationally recognized for their bomb tamales and people drive literally hundreds of miles for them. I don’t need to tell you they were fantastic (obviously they were mind blowing). Their seasonal asparagus and pepperjack tamales are especially popular.

If you like red wine then you have to make a stop at the Cultura tasting room. This small, family owned winery is just a 15 minute drive from Union Gap and does only reds and the occasional rosé (which are always fantastic). Only local grapes from Yakima Valley are used in their wine production.

Y’all know I love a good burger and I’ve found one here at Pepp’rmint Stick Drive-In. A Union Gap tradition since the 1940s, this darling 50’s style diner stole my heart (and made my stomach very happy). Choose from over a dozen burgers – I kept it simple and got the Dave’s Big Deluxe with Cheese. Their Ghost Burger is a must for any of you heat lovers out there as the “Ghost” refers to ghost peppers on the burger. They have stellar milkshakes here too, sorry I drank mine too fast for a photo (it rarely happens).

Silver Lake Winery is Washington state’s largest consumer owned winery and they have a lovely tasting room in Zillah, just a 15 minute drive from Union Gap. A perfect afternoon is a tasting here followed by a glass of your favorite on their deck that offers stunning views of the Yakima Valley.

If you’re looking for a solid breakfast in Union Gap, head to the Old Town Station. It’s just straight up good, greasy diner food and I destroyed the steak and eggs I ordered for breakfast. This spot it a local favorite year round.

The Old Town Pump is where you want to go for cold beers and bomb wings in Union Gap. This would be my hangout if I lived in this town. Their Buffalo Wings were amazing. The sauce that they use on the wings is the original Buffalo Sauce from Buffalo, New York and it’s killer. I wonder if they can ship me some…

Ah, Treveri Cellars – I’ve been a little obsessed with their sparkling wines for couple years now and it was a real treat for me to get to visit their stunning tasting room. Treveri only makes sparkling wine and I’ve never had one I didn’t love. Sparkling wines from this family owned wine house have been poured at the White House State Department receptions and at the James Beard Foundation in New York. They serve fantastically creative and delicious sparkling wine cocktails here, too!

The Apple Tree Grill is serving up fried apple rings with caramel dipping sauce at the Apple Tree Resort, just a ten minute drive from Union Gap. Because fried apple rings and caramel dipping sauce needed to exist. Right? Enjoy this decadent concoction on their deck overlooking the golf course, which I might add is one hell of a view.