Sharon's Shell Gas & Cafe

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  The Adopt-a-Highway sign on northbound U.S. Hwy 97 just south of Macdoel said "Sharon's Cafe", and my empty tummy perked up. But, alas...Although I slowed to 10mph below the posted 50mph speed limit upon entering Macdoel and widened my eyes to scan for any sign of such a cafe in this blink-and-miss-it town, I saw nothing open for business except for a Shell gas station.
  
  On my return trip south, I felt a sudden urge to pee once the agricultural inspection station at Dorris was in my rear view mirror, so I figured I'd pull over at that Shell station. When I pulled up to park at the Shell, that is when I learned that Sharon's Cafe was inside. Although my appetite was sufficiently whipped, I was curious to have a look at the menu. The cafe space opens up off the left side of the cashier's counter for the mini-mart and includes a breakfast bar and some booth tables overlooking the sparse traffic on Hwy 97. Unfortunately, Sharon's is waving a white flag on providing full restaurant service. A sign blocks entry into the cafe and explains that it is closed. It's not quite clear how temporary or permanent this closure is, but it's written in dry-erase marker, so I wanna have some hope that this town of questionable population statistics (sign says "500", Census says "140") can have just one place serving fresh, hot food.
  
  The kitchen is still operating on a limited basis to provide food for the grab 'n' go case. Potato country is just over the north horizon, so it's little surprise that the Jo-Jos look good here. Otherwise, the selection of foods looks about as reprobate as your typical AM/PM or 7-Eleven. How long have these hot dogs been spinning, huh?
  
  The mini-mart's fairly typical of a remote mini-mart...limited selection (only two kindsa Doritos, few diet soda options), but some surprises such as a nearly full range of Mexican treats like chile-powdered mangoes. Fishermen can find a small selection of bait. Townsfolk can find certain grocery items like bread and even some fresh meat and produce. One of the best farms for organically raised cattle--Prather Ranch--is located just a few miles outta Macdoel, but I didn't see any sign of their products here. Their beef is available at several of the food co-ops and other choosier grocers four hours to the south.
  
  The petrol here is about 30-40 cents cheaper per gallon than in Dorris, but it's still about 30 cents more an in Klamath Falls or Weed.
  
  Perhaps the biggest surpise at Sharon's is the vending machine inside the mens bathroom which offers a couple more unusual varieties of prophylactics, packets of libido enhancers, and ultra-condensed pictorial manuals for different sexual positions.

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  Posted on 05.31.12 Rick E.

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