At Legion Lake, between mile 19 and 20 on my Needles Loop map, there is a nice restaurant. Sounds like your wife won't beriding but maybe driving around instead. If so, I highly recommend Spearfish Canyon to Cheyenne Crossing with the little tail up to Roughlock Falls (unpaved but pretty smooth dirt):


https://ridewithgps.com/routes/8789073


There is another nice place to eat in Savoy right about mile 17. If you want a tough climb, continue on the route up the hill from Cheyenne Crossing.