The Restaurant with Snow on the Roof: What Makes North Woods Inn Perfect for Holiday Meals
In Southern California, where palm trees outnumber pine trees and snow is something you drive to see, there’s a remarkable restaurant that brings the magic of a winter mountain lodge to your neighborhood. Clearman’s North Woods Inn, with its distinctive snow-dusted roof visible year-round, has been creating holiday memories for over 50 years. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, New Year’s, or any special winter occasion, this iconic establishment delivers an experience that transforms an ordinary meal into something truly festive.
The Legend of the Snow-Covered Roof
Drive past any North Woods Inn location — in Covina, La Mirada, or San Gabriel — and you’ll immediately spot what makes this restaurant unforgettable. The permanently snow-covered roof stands as a beacon of warmth and celebration, promising an escape from the everyday. It’s a visual invitation that says, “Step inside, and leave the California sunshine behind for a journey to a cozy mountain retreat.”
This signature feature isn’t just charming; it sets expectations for what awaits inside. The artificial snow symbolizes the restaurant’s commitment to creating an immersive experience that transports diners to a different time and place, making it particularly magical during the holiday season when that cozy cabin feeling is exactly what we crave.
Stepping Into a Winter Wonderland
The moment you cross the threshold at North Woods Inn, the transformation is complete. Rustic log cabin walls surround you, dim lighting creates an intimate glow, and the unmistakable crunch of peanut shells underfoot adds to the casual, lodge-like atmosphere. It’s not trying to be fine dining; it’s something better. It’s the kind of place where families gather, where laughter echoes off wood-beamed ceilings, and where the holiday spirit feels tangible.
During the winter holidays, this atmosphere becomes even more enchanting. The restaurant naturally exudes the warmth and coziness we associate with Christmas and other wintertime gatherings. While other establishments might add decorations to create holiday ambiance — and this restaurant does, too — North Woods Inn’s year-round mountain lodge aesthetic means it’s perpetually ready for celebration.
The rustic log cabin decor at North Woods Inn makes you feel like you’re in the winter mountains year-round.
A Menu Built for Holiday Appetites
Holiday meals demand abundance, and North Woods Inn delivers with portions that reflect true mountain hospitality. This is not the place for delicate, artfully arranged plates; it’s where generous cuts of meat, overflowing sides, and shared platters create the kind of satisfying feast that holiday gatherings deserve.
The Famous Cheese Bread
No North Woods Inn experience begins without the legendary cheese bread. Hot, cheesy, and irresistibly shareable, this bread arrive at your table and immediately set the tone for the meal ahead. During holiday dinners, when the table is full of family or friends, the cheese bread becomes a ritual — everyone reaching for a piece, garlic butter bubbling on the crispy bread, and conversation flowing naturally.
The Two Salads: A North Woods Tradition
What makes North Woods Inn unique is that every dinner includes two salads — the fresh house salad with their famous buttermilk gorgonzola dressing and the sweet-and-tangy red cabbage. Locals know the secret: mix a scoop of each together for the perfect combination. These salads are so beloved that many guests could make a meal of them alone, but they’re just the beginning.
Quality Steaks for Every Preference
North Woods Inn specializes in quality beef, prepared simply but perfectly. The top sirloin offers excellent flavor and remains a customer favorite, while the ribeye provides rich, well-marbled satisfaction. For those seeking the most tender cut, the filet mignon delivers elegance and flavor in every bite.
Each steak is grilled to order and arrives with all the fixings — rice pilaf, a baked potato, and of course, those two famous salads and cheese bread. The portions are generous enough to satisfy hearty holiday appetites, often leaving guests with leftovers for the next day.
Fresh Seafood Options
Not everyone wants steak for their holiday meal, and North Woods Inn accommodates with fresh seafood options. The lobster tail is a special-occasion favorite, while the jumbo shrimp makes an excellent appetizer or can be enjoyed as part of a surf-and-turf combination.
The butterflied coconut shrimp, deep-fried in coconut batter and served with piña colada sauce, offers something different and festive for those who want to venture beyond traditional steakhouse fare.
Sides That Complete the Feast
Every dinner includes that enormous baked potato and rice pilaf, but the sides at North Woods Inn are far from afterthoughts. The baked potatoes arrive properly enormous, ready for loading with your choice of toppings. The rice pilaf is perfectly seasoned, and those two salads have achieved legendary status among regulars.
During holiday meals, these generous portions become part of the communal experience — passing dishes, sharing recommendations, and ensuring everyone has everything they need for the perfect plate.
Classics like the prime rib make North Woods Inn a popular choice for hearty winter meals.
Why Families Choose North Woods Inn for Holiday Traditions
Across generations of Southern California families, North Woods Inn has become woven into holiday traditions. No one has to cook, clean up is someone else’s responsibility, and everyone gets exactly what they want. But the real magic runs deeper.
A Place Where Everyone Belongs
The casual, welcoming atmosphere means that children feel comfortable here. Grandparents don’t worry about fancy dress codes. Teenagers aren’t bored. The peanut shells on the floor give kids something to crunch while adults linger over coffee. It’s genuinely multi-generational in a way that few restaurants are.
Consistency Across Decades
For many families, North Woods Inn isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a time capsule. Parents who came here as children in the 1970s and 80s now bring their own kids, finding that the experience remains fundamentally unchanged. In a world where restaurants constantly reinvent themselves, this consistency is comforting, especially during holidays when tradition matters most.
Planning Your Holiday Visit
Reservations Are Essential
During the holiday season, all North Woods Inn locations see significant demand, especially on the actual holidays and surrounding weekends. Locals know to call well in advanc. Reservations are available up to 7 days in advance, with a maximum party size of 9 for reservations.
Timing Your Arrival
If you’re dining on a major holiday, consider these strategies:
- Early seating (when they open at 11:30 AM or early dinner around 4:00-5:30 PM): Often less crowded, better for families with young children
- Traditional dinner time (6:00-7:30 PM): Expect a wait even with reservations, but it’s worth it for the full festive atmosphere
- Later dining (after 8:00 PM): Quieter experience on weekdays, though note that weekend hours extend to 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays
While North Woods Inn offers cozy winter vibes all year long, they add an extra touch of Christmas magic during the holiday season.
The Three Locations
Clearman’s North Woods Inn – Covina
The original location in the San Gabriel Valley, serving guests since the late 1950s. This restaurant holds special significance for locals who’ve been coming here for generations.
Clearman’s North Woods Inn – San Gabriel
Bringing the same mountain lodge experience to another part of the San Gabriel Valley, this location serves the Alhambra, Pasadena, and surrounding communities.
Clearman’s North Woods Inn – La Mirada
Extending the North Woods tradition to Orange County, this location welcomes guests from throughout the area.
All three locations maintain the same commitment to quality, generous portions, and that signature North Woods Inn atmosphere. The snow stays on the roof year-round at each, serving as a constant reminder that holiday magic is always available.
What Makes It Truly Special
In an era of constantly changing restaurant trends, North Woods Inn’s steadfast commitment to its original concept feels almost radical. There’s no fusion cuisine here, no farm-to-table buzzwords, no Instagram-optimized plating. Instead, there’s honest, generous food served in an atmosphere designed for genuine connection and celebration.
The snow on the roof isn’t just decoration; it’s a promise — a promise that inside, you’ll find warmth, abundance, and the kind of straightforward hospitality that makes holidays memorable. It’s a promise that’s been kept for over five decades, through countless family celebrations, holiday meals, and special occasions.
For many Southern California families, the holidays don’t truly begin until they’ve made their annual pilgrimage to the restaurant with snow on the roof. The quality steaks, the cheese bread, the two famous salads, the peanut shells, and the log cabin walls have become as much a part of their holiday tradition as any family recipe or cherished ritual.
This holiday season, whether you’re continuing a long-standing family tradition or starting a new one, the restaurant with snow on the roof is ready to be part of your celebration.
Reserve Your Holiday Table Today
Don’t miss out on creating unforgettable holiday memories at North Woods Inn. Our festive mountain lodge atmosphere and delicious steaks, seafood, and that legendary cheese bread are waiting for you!
Clearman’s North Woods Inn — Covina
540 N Azusa Ave, Covina, CA 91722
(626) 331-7444
Clearman’s North Woods Inn — San Gabriel
313 S Santa Anita Ave, San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 286-8284
Clearman’s North Woods Inn — La Mirada
14305 Firestone Blvd, La Mirada, CA 90638
(714) 739-0331
Holiday reservations fill up fast, especially for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Call today or visit in person to make this holiday season unforgettable!
Visit clearmansrestaurants.com for menus, hours, and more information about all our locations.
