Shoestring

The only good thing here is the ice. It’s that awesome crunchy old-​school ice. As far as the food goes, I always feel like crap after eating there. Chili fries? Gross. Hamburgers? If you want to feel nauseated and ashamed of yourself, I could think of several things that would be ten times the fun than dining at Shoestring. I have lived here for nine years now, and I have given Shoestring many tries in those years. They have consistently disappointed me. On the upside, the employees have always been really nice. The only reason I’m giving it one star is because it is the minimum amount of stars I can give in order to leave a review. Sorry Shoestring. Get it together. You could be a real gem.

I work a block away and love the food and service here. It’s good fast food. Pastrami sandwiches and chili-​cheese fries are quite delish.
Jon, Roaring Road Coffee

Every town has a hood even in Placerville. My friend, Phil jones, called me and said, «Al, do you like Hot Dogs?» I had to state my resume’ back to him that I am the culinary expert when it comes to the infamous Tube-​Steak that is served in a bun! Now my friend lives in Folsom which is about 20 minutes down the hill from Placerville. He said, «I will drive there and meet you to eat lunch.» You arrive at this place and it meets the functional definition of «A Hole in the Wall!» Looks can be deceiving! The Hot Dogs are fantastic! Listen, nobody wants to eat a Hot Dog that is mushy and soggy because you are now questioning whether or not a local stray Chihuahua made it to the meat grinder. These Hot Dogs actually crunch and pop with flavor as you bite into them. Don’t even get me started on their milkshakes. These milkshakes are thick and burst with refreshing flavor, and if you are lactose intolerant you may want to communicate to your friends or significant other that they are risking a free pass to the afterlife if they remain close to you! If you are wanting to eat a great Hamburger and Hot Dog and you are throwing caution to the wind in regards to your cholesterol level you want to eat here! You get to experience two things at once: First, great food! Second, the hood in Hang-​Town!

I sent my roommate into town he said he had been eating at your place for yrs and you have wonderful fries and burgers well the fries were good I will give you that but this so called burger should have been on McDonalds One dollar menu it was sad the only thing on it was the patty with a little chesse on a very smashed bun needless to say wouldn’t even top McDonalds crapest burger it was awful I won’t ever come back and I will be telling my friends !!!

What a GREAT FIND! I had the Corn Dogs, which were the best I ever ate!!! The Shoestring Fries are hot and Fresh!!!
When I messed up the order, it was r placed in a minute!!!
We will be back!!!

BEST CHILI DOGS — CHECK
BEST HAMBURGERS — CHECK
BEST FRIES AND CHILI FRIES — CHECK
BEST CHILI — CHECK!
We have been customers of Shoestring for many years. I USUALLY get the chili cheese dog (with everything on it — YUM — perfect!) but. I just recently tried the chili cheese burger and ARE YOU KIDDING? THIS BURGER IS AMAZING! I am going to spice things up again next time and try one of the other awesome menu items I hear nothing but great things about. The staff is always so friendly and the food is prepared fresh and fast. Keep it up Shoestring!

This place has the best hamburgers in town. The milkshake can’t be beat, you can order them to be thick or thin how ever you like. It dangerous to live so close because it’s so good. Sometimes I go just for a shake. Yummy

This is an old style hamburger stop that I remember as a Kid and I am pretty old. I had a chili dog and was really impressed with it. What was also a surprise was the fries. Will definitely return and bring others. Just as a comparison, on par with hot dogger in davis and better than wiener works in sac.

The nicest people work here and the food is great, small little place but they stand out because of the good service.

About 5 years ago my dad were going to tahoe we both were extreamly hungry so we stop here… i forgot about it until a few months ago when my best friend brought me here again i am absolutely in love with the western bacon burger and cheese fries… I will continue to come here as long as they don’t close I seriously would be bummed.

Oh man! Please scroll down to the review from the lady who says that since there was no bathroom she had to go to Chevron to use the bathroom there. There are tree’s everywhere Princess, and it’s El Dorado County. «Where men are men and women wanna be». We pee outside at every given opportunity ;)
The food here is your standard junk food. It’s good groceries! If they don’t have something you love I’ll lick the «toe jam» from between your Mother in Laws toes immediately after she takes off her work boots!

This review has been in the works, in my head, for. years. It wasn’t until a recent stop here that I realized, again, that I hadn’t written about it.
There’s something about roadside food stands. It’s an interesting yellow structure/​building that has obviously been added on to over the years. Like others have said, don’t let the looks of this place deter you from stopping. Shoestring has been in this location for a long long time; same family, I believe. They’re doing it right.
Order at the window and eat at one of only a few outdoor picnic tables. Time reference is a little different the farther up the hill you go. Don’t be in a hurry, this isn’t McFastFood.
I’ve had most everything on the menu at some point but my ‘go to’ would be the standard hamburger and the pastrami. Side of fries, of course… the small is plenty. They have dogs of different toppings and fairly sure they still have chicken type sandwiches. Drinks … sadly, that’s where I’ve fallen short.
Pull off Hwy50 at Schnell School Rd and a right on Broadway. Don’t go Main St unless you’ve got other business there or like the drive through town.

These are my favorite type of places. Unique mom and pops that serve delicious food. This literally is a shack. There is picnic table seating in back and tables in front that are enclosed in a atrium. I visited today and it was a little rainy so I took to go. Ordered the Cheeseburger (American, lettuce, pickle, red onion, mayo) on a soft sesame bun. The burger was done to well and was seasoned nicely and was filling. Also, got a order of chili cheese fries topped with some red onion. The chili was amazing. Wonderful spice and tons of meat. It is house made. I will be back for that chili!!!

I like this place and have enjoyed too many meals here to count! Skip McD’s and the Bell and enjoy a real meal — this place is just down the street. Burgers are great, you get mounds of fries and there are many menu options — something for everyone. Seating can be an issue — deal with it. It’s not going to be a low cal meal, but it’s a worthy exchange! As I write this I’m thinking I may head over there to have dinner tonight! :)

We stopped because of the great reviews on Unilocal.We ordered the chicken sandwich and the hot pastrami sandwich. Both were freshly made and delicious! We also had an ice cream cone it was the best ice cream. We had a little wait, but worth it.

We went here on a whim, and I am glad we did. It’s a basic set up, with all seating under a covered patio, and a walk up window to order. They have a TON of choices, from chicken to burgers to sandwiches to hot dogs. We opted for two chili dogs and a fry to share.
It was a Saturday at lunch and they were busy — we showed up just at the right time to snag a table, as they only have 4 or so tables. It took about 5 minutes to get our food. They just use paper to wrap the food in — no plates or even cardboard cafeteria boats– it made the chili dogs really difficult to eat, but they were delicious anyway.
When we left, I wasn’t full, but I was satisfied. Our food and 2 small drinks set us back $ 18.

Stopped in with the family on our way back from apple farm, and we will be back!
Pastrami burger was awesome and the pineapple shake was amazing!
See you next trip!

Sometimes the best place to eat might not be the most obvious. Shoestring is one of those places. It is a small-​town, hole-​in-​the-​wall kind of place. However, don’t let it’s appearance deter you. Inside this small joint, I found one of the best burgers I have had in a while.
After my buddy and I went on a bike ride, he told me of a small restaurant called Shoestring and the awesome pastrami burger they have. He took me after our ride and to say I was amazed would be an understatement. The burgers were juicy, the fries crispy, and the soda and shakes refreshing. The seating however was limited, and nearly all the seats were taken. The flies were also a bit of nuisance but other than those two things, Shoestrings was a hit in my book. I will definitely be back.

I hadn’t been here in years. On our way to go golfing we decided to stop in and give it a try. I’m ashamed to say I forgot to take pictures, because the portions size were huge.
Food: ⁵⁄₅
Chili cheese hot dog– It doesn’t get much better than this a 10inch wiener covered in delicious chili, cheese and onion. The bun was freshly steamed and perfect soft, it was not match for the chili and quickly got soggy. No need to worry, that’s what plastic forks were precisely designed for.
Chili cheese fries– HUGE portion! Not only was it the size of a medium sized infant, but it also tasted fantastic! French fries were fresh and crispy. Their chili is fantastic. The don’t skimp on the cheese either.
Root beer Freeze– There is an age old argument about what is the best thing to wash down chili cheese dogs and chili cheese fries with. Fortunate for you, I have the answer, it’s the root beer freeze and theirs is perfect, not soupy and thin nor concrete thick where you give yourself a brain aneurism trying to suck it through the straw. It’s perfect.
Service– ⁴⁄₅
It’s small town, small business kind of place. They are really nice and want to be sure that you are completely satisfied with your meal.
If you are heading up to Tahoe or heading back from Tahoe and are passing through Placerville, you HAVE to stop here. You’re welcome

Go to this place for an all American meal of burgers and fries. We were on our way to Tahoe, and we stopped by here for a quick dinner. The fries are huge, so you can definitely share with another person. My husband had the pastrami burger with chili cheese fries. I had the veggie burger with cheese fries. All of this was around $ 20.
Outside seating is available. Plenty of parking spots. The restaurant does not have a public restroom, so you will need to go to the Chevron gas station next door.