Since 2006, The Motherloaded Tavern has dished up American comfort food with a twist on Main Street — mac and cheese, pulled pork, burgers and, famously, fried Twinkies. Independently owned from the start, it was built as a quirky locals' hangout rather than a corporate outlet, and the mining-pun name fits the deliberately unpretentious room in the historic district.

The stated mission has never wavered: homemade food, house-infused craft cocktails, unique local beers and live local musicians. The back patio is a summer live-music fixture, and the daily 3–6pm happy hour features the house-made infusions.

Families fit right in with a kids' menu, and the pup-friendly patio goes one further with meal options for dogs — everyone in the party gets fed.