Loyal patrons of Middlegate Station answered owner Fredda Stevenson request to support the restaurant during the shooting of a segment for Maximum Foodie.
Middlegate Station is getting a boost in publicity thanks to a production company based in Sacramento, Calif.
SD Media visited the historic restaurant/bar — a one-time Pony Express stop and the only respite on U.S. Highway 50 between Fallon and Austin.
Fredda Stevenson, one of the business owners since 1984, said she was contacted by SD Media who wanted to film at the restaurant on their journey from Las Vegas to Reno. She said they were interested in trying to complete the monster burger challenge that Middlegate offers.
“I have always said there’s no such thing as bad publicity,” Stevenson said. “Any publicity we can get is great for business. A lot of the business we do get comes from word of mouth … regardless of how our customers get here we just want to make sure they enjoy their food, drinks and have a great time.”
Sashi De, CEO and executive producer of SD Media, said his company’s shows don’t air in the United States at the moment. He said the program based overseas in Asian countries.
“We’re taking four days to drive from Las Vegas to Reno and stopping at interesting food stops along the way,” De said. “Travel Nevada helped us get our itinerary straight since it’s hard for us to find proper show content.”
Maximum Foodie is the show on which Middlegate will air. National Geographic has picked up the show. The concept of the show, hosted by Liesel Hlista, is a foodie on a quest exploring questions that no one in the culinary world is asking, according to SD-Media. The website states Hlista tackles each controversial topic like a reporter meeting the pioneers in the culinary world, the risk takers, the nay-sayers, journalists, critics and experts alike.
Maximum Foodie is currently filming its second season. The first season was shot in the Philippines. In addition to Middlegate the production crew also made a stop at Lattin Farms to explore the history of the Hearts of Gold cantaloupe.
Stevenson said she’s proud that Middlegate Station gets recognized outside of Nevada.
“The history of Middlegate is very important to me and the only way to keep that history alive is to keep the doors open,” she said. “The support from the customers that come here keep us open and we’re thankful for them. This place isn’t only historical; it’s a great place to bring family and friends to enjoy good food. We love our customers.”
Middlegate has also been featured on National Geographic, PBS and Bay Area Back Roads ... to name a few shows.
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