Restaurants in Mojave, California

M.C. Postins, Leaf Group

Mojave is best known for its history of aviation. It grew from a rural airport to airfields for the Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force. For decades it has housed up to 40 different national aerospace companies that use the airfield to test their newest designs. It's also the home of SpaceShipOne, the first non-governmental ship to make it into space. Mojave has about a dozen restaurants, most of which are clustered among three major roads.

Sierra Highway

The Sierra Highway is inside the Mojave city limits. To the south, it's called Aerospace Highway, and to the north it's called the Mojave-Barstow Highway. It runs just west of the Mojave Airport. Many of the restaurants on the Sierra Highway are chain restaurants that specialize in fast food, including Burger King (, Carl's Jr. (, Jack in the Box (, Kentucky Fried Chicken ( and McDonald's ( Local haunts include Mike's Roadhouse Café (no website; 15834 Sierra Highway, Mojave; 661-824-2744), which specializes in burgers and American dishes, and Tico's Mexican Restaurant (no website; 15960 Sierra Highway, Mojave; 661-824-3663), which serves Mexican-inspired fare.

Stater Brothers Shopping Center

In Mojave, many residents shop at the Stater Bros. Market, a regional grocery store chain. This location is on Highway 14, which is a mile east of the Mojave-Barstow Highway. Along with the grocery store, this complex features the Mojave Department Store, Jim's CB Radios and the Mojave Public Library. There are two restaurants in the complex -- Graziano's Pizza (no website; 16870 Highway 14, Mojave; 661-824-4041), which offers pizza and other Italian dishes, and Primo Burgers (no website; 16862 Highway 14, Mojave; 661-824-2012), which specializes in hamburgers.

Highway 58

Highway 58 comes into Mojave from the east and runs just south of the Mojave Airport. The main draw here is the Mariah County Inn and Suites ( The restaurant is the Mariah Mexican Steak and Seafood Restaurant, which is open from 4 to 10 p.m. every day. It also has a lounge that features a large plasma television. The restaurant is open to guests and locals. In addition, the hotel offers rooms with microwaves and refrigerators, a fitness center, a banquet room, airport shuttle, pool, spa and business services. Café 58 (no website; 2343 Highway 58, Mojave; 661-824-3950) and a Taco Bell ( can also be found on Highway 58.

Around Mojave

Lancaster is the closest major city to Mojave, about 26 miles south. Lancaster has a host of restaurants to choose from, if you're willing to make the drive. The Lemon Leaf ( is a Greek and Mediterranean eatery located downtown that specializes in dishes like a Cranberry Turkey Cobb Salad and seven different pizzas. The Black Angus Steakhouse ( is part of a national chain and offers steaks and seafood. Bakersfield is an hour west of Mojave. The Buck Owens Crystal Palace ( is named for the late country singer and its cafe features steaks, seafood, hamburgers and pizzas. Bill Lee's Bamboo Chopsticks ( serves Chinese delicacies, has its own bar and lounge and offers local delivery.





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