As we hung out and threw out dinner ideas, Alex admitted that he was craving a bowl of pasta. After a quick search around recommended Italian restaurants in the greater Joshua Tree area, we settled on hitting up Spaghetti Western.
Walking in, we were both – confused. Spaghetti Western was an Italian spot housed in a western saloon styled interior. A large stage was center front of the restaurant – with two musicians playing jazz. Animal heads – from moose to bison – lined the upper walls.
It was an eclectic hodgepodge – that worked.
Finding an open seat at the bar, we settled in and took everything in. I ordered a Manhattan (whiskey, vermouth, bitters) cocktail made with Redwood Empire Whiskey’s PIPE DREAM BOURBON WHISKEY.
This was deliciously smooth and served as the perfect way to ease into the evening.
The FRIED ZUCCHINI (Herb breaded zucchini, fried & served with homemade pomodoro sauce) was a solid starter.
When my SAUSAGE & PEPPERS (San Marzano tomato sauce, red & green peppers, garlic, shallots, red & white wine, parmesan, served with two whole Italian sausages) arrived – I was surprised.
The description said two sausages – but there was only one. Also, I didn’t know that it would be spaghetti – as the noodle type was not specified in the description on the menu. Nevertheless, the taste of my dish was spicy and delicious.
Spaghetti Western is exactly as confusing as it sounds – and exactly as good. One missing sausage aside, it delivered everything a desert night calls for: a smooth drink, a solid flavor, and the particular pleasure of a place that has absolutely no business working as well as it does.
Spaghetti Western
50048 29 Palms HwyMorongo Valley, California 92256
