Bill and Dee Dee Barefield reopen the locations’ long-awaited return.
Photos by Tanner Blake
A second-wind blows through the front doors of the recently reopened 5 Mile House, just off Highway 20, tickling the fur of a seductive Sasquatch above the restaurant’s main-dining fireplace (his Yeti bits covered by a racoon) thanks to Bill and Dee Dee Barefield, the couple hard at work bringing the long-empty location out of retirement and revitalizing a landmark for Nevada County residents – both real and fabled.
After 40 years as an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic, Bill Barefield is stepping into the world of food as a failed retiree. Instead of whittling, gardening, road-tripping, and golfing, Bill has chosen to take his hobby-cooking for a professional spin, a renaissance he and 5 Mile House share. “My first idea was white linen tablecloths, up-scale, fine dining,” Bill begins, “And then the more I thought about it, I recognized, okay, how often do I go out for fine dining? On an anniversary, maybe a birthday party or special occasion, but it’s only a couple times a year. How often do I go down and get a burger and beer? Pizza and a beer? Barbeque and beer? Well, there’s three nights in a week right there. So, that’s what we wanted to offer our community, a place where they could go not once or twice a year, but once or twice a week.”
Mesquite-Smoked and Deep-Dished
It’s a new era for 5 Mile House, awakening to an age of mountain bikers, hikers, and runners all vying for the surrounding trail system – and all in need of a cold beer and long sit. From Bocce Ball, to bands, to tall trees, to the wafting scent of the mesquite smoker outside the restaurant’s rustic log-cabin architecture, the ambiance off Highway 20 at 5 Mile House is quintessential Nor Cal. The menu centers around those old-fashioned American Classics done well, from a Code Blue Burger to a Wedge Salad; to their Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas (baked from homemade dough); to the Fried Avocado Tacos, beer-battered with pico and sweet chili aioli; to a Pulled-Pork sandwich fresh from their on-site smoker; to their Brisket, Angus Beef Tri-Tip, and ½ BBQ Chicken buttered, smoked, and served in house-made sauce.
Where Everybody Knows your Name
Owning a restaurant is about one of the toughest endeavors any small business owner can undertake. From 8:30 in the morning to 11:30 at night Bill is servicing the restaurant, stoking their slow-cooked smoked meats, taking inventory, ordering food, meeting with vendors, pouring beer, and making pizzas. “Our Grand opening went great,” Bill chimes. “Everybody was smiling, laughing, and having a great time. The food was all coming out on time, the band was playing, everybody was just living it up and I thought, wow…this is cool, this is what we wanted.”
From a rumored brothel, to a stagecoach stop, to an event center, to a bus stop, 5 Mile House has endured the test of many entrepreneurs. It’s because of this, and with respect to the building’s history, that Bill and Dee Dee chose to keep its original name – revitalizing history among a new generation. “Every night I get at least 10 people thanking me for opening back up the place,” Bill adds, “and for bringing the name back to 5 Mile House. That’s one of the things the locals are most excited about – that we brought the name back.”
True to its iconic name, 5 Mile House is precisely five miles from City Hall, in downtown Nevada City, via Willow Valley Rd. “The story goes,” Bill begins with a smirk, “That the county ordinance read: You must be five miles away from city hall in order to operate a brothel.” Bill’s smile widens, “I’m thinkin’ about puttin’ up a big photo of Mae West.”
