Rich Winiarski was in his truck cutting up onions when I popped in on him on a recent Monday — a similar scene to what he’s been doing since 2015, when he first opened Big Ski’s Pierogis in Bend. This one, however, is one of just a handful of Mondays ahead for the truck, located at […]
Nicole Vulcan
Nicole Vulcan became Editor of the Source in 2016 and was promoted to Editor in Chief in 2024, managing the Editorial Board and the news team's many investigative projects. She's also at work on her debut book of journalistic non-fiction, titled "Self Medication," which traces Oregon's drug decriminalization efforts in the 21st Century, and tells a parallel tale of her own family’s losses from fentanyl addiction in the age of Measure 110. With all of that on her plate, send snacks. Catch up with the adventures at her book's Substack, called Self Medication.
Posted inChow
Dump City Dumplings Announces Closure
Owners say it’s “time for a change”
A longtime Bend food spot, Dump City Dumplings, is soon to close up shop forever. After 17 years, the place that started as a cart and later expanded to brick-and-mortars in the Old Mill and eventually Galveston Avenue is announcing its closure at the end of August. The owners of Dump City, which serves Chinese […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Matcha: Little Cole Coffee Co.
A cart specializing in coffee pour-overs is also standing out for its matcha creations
With matcha gaining traction over coffee, especially among Gen Z, it was only a matter of time before this little ol’ paper’s readers’ poll got on board and added the powdered Japanese green tea beverage as an official category. Consider us caught up. The inaugural winner in our Best Matcha category is, like many local […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Architect Firm: Crabtree Architecture + Design
Designing some of Bend’s most popular hangouts
Best Architect Firm is a new category in our Best of Central Oregon readers’ poll for 2026, and based on Central Oregon’s explosive growth — and the wealth of beautiful new buildings that come with that growth — the category definitely faced some stiff competition. You might not know Crabtree Architecture + Design by name, […]
Posted inBeer & Drink
Say Cheers to Summer with these Local Food and Drink Events
Check out these ways to celebrate, before the warm summer nights fade away
Ah, summer. It’s hot, it’s smoky and it’s fleeting. For those looking to enjoy the fruits of the season before it gets away, here are a few upcoming food-and-drink events — heavy on the drink side — to get on your calendar right now. Aug. 15: Viaggio Chef’s Dinner and Wine Pairing Viaggio Wine Merchants […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Olive & May Nears Its Opening Date
The former Drake restaurant, now styled like a 1920s neighborhood hangout, has a tentative opening date of Aug. 22
The iconic building on the northwest corner of Wall Street and Franklin Avenue in downtown Bend now has a tentative opening date, offering patrons something of a Bend history lesson along with its food and drink. Olive & May is the creation of Peter Kost, Caprice Neely and Fergal Donoher — all who have at […]
Posted inLocal News
New Fire Off China Hat Prompts Evacuation Notices
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office issues “Go Now” evacuations for area near Arnold Ice Cave
Update: Officials withdrew all evacuation notices for the fire, called the Hidden Forest fire, Friday night. A fire that was reported Friday morning quickly prompted evacuation notices for people south of Bend. The fire broke out roughly 12.5 miles south of Bend, off China Hat Road, near Arnold Ice Cave. The area is a popular […]
Posted inRestaurant Guide
Rookie Food Cart of the Year: The Dominican
Where Caribbean comfort food meets heartfelt customer service
Robert De Los Santos’ love language is serving someone up a delicious plate of food. He’s been that way since his days growing up in the countryside of the Dominican Republic, where it’s customary for people to have a meal ready for anyone who might happen to walk in the door. The love behind the […]
Posted inRestaurant Guide
Rookie Restaurant of the Year: Ken’s Artisan Pizza
As date night destination or weeknight staple, Bendites love Ken’s
I’ve been dreaming about the next time I can go to Ken’s Artisan Pizza for at least the last 15 years, so it feels odd now to be naming it the Rookie of the Year. But many will already know that those two things can co-exist, because Ken’s has been a world-renowned pizzeria in east […]
Posted inLocal News
Redmond Celebrates Veterans Day
24th annual parade welcomes locals downtown
Onlookers came out by the hundreds for the annual Veterans Day parade in Redmond on Nov. 11. The festivities began at Tuesday at 11:11 am, in homage to Armistice Day from World War 1. That war officially ended in 1918, at the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day. This was the […]
