For many small businesses, a farmers market booth is more than just a weekend stand โ it’s a steppingstone to a thriving brand. But turning a booth into a business takes strategy, and that’s exactly what Cultivate Bend’s upcoming panel event aims to provide. To help vendors succeed, Cultivate Bend and the High Desert Food […]
Chow
Sisters Meat and Smokehouse Is Coming to Bend
When I walked into Sisters Meat and Smokehouse in Redmond, the enticing aroma of smoked meat and the invitation from the windowed wall to watch the butchers slicing steak made it clear to me that this was the place to get high-quality meat. The cashier, Garrett, rang me up for a couple of sandwiches and […]
Burgerville Is Officially Coming to Bend
Pacific Northwest fast food chain Burgerville announced its plans on March 3 to open a new location in Bend later this year. The store will take over the building previously occupied by Del Taco on SE Third Street. This opening will mark the first Central Oregon location for the chain. โPeople have been asking for […]
Funky Fauna Artisan Ales Brings Farmhouse Brewing to Bend
Funky Fauna Artisan Ales, a microbrewery celebrated for its bold, fruit-forward farmhouse ales, is making the move to Bend. Co-owners Michael Frith and Danielle Burns originally launched the brewery in Sisters, crafting small-batch ales that blend traditional craftsmanship with modern brewing artistry, using Oregon-grown malted barley and hops. Now, Funky Fauna is setting up shop […]
Brewing Equality
In 2021, the Brewers Association, a craft brewing industry group, released the results of a demographic audit of U.S. breweries, revealing that almost a quarter of brewery owners were women, yet less than 3% of breweries were fully woman-owned. Here in Central Oregon, there is one fully woman-owned brewery: Spider City Brewing. The Bend operation […]
Falling for Food
I don’t go on a lot of dates. I think I’m bad at them. But when I booked a reservation at Salute Restaurant & Bar in order to write this article, it seemed like going there alone the day after Valentine’s Day would be just this side of mildly depressing. The reservation was set for earlier […]
Kefi Fast Fresh Mediterranean Celebrates Five Years in Bend
As its name says, Kefi Fast Fresh Mediterranean is known for its quick, fresh Mediterranean cuisine. The family-owned restaurant in Bend is marking a major milestone this month โ its five-year anniversary โ and will celebrate with a weekend of deals, including bowls and wraps for just $11 (the same price as when it first […]
Nome Italiano Unexpectedly Shutters
Over the weekend, would-be-patrons at Bendโs popular Nome Italiano were surprised to find the restaurantโs doors locked and a sign announcing the eateryโs closure. It was a sudden end to a once-promising restaurant that opened in 2022, coming in runner-up in this paperโs popular Best of Central Oregon competition for best new restaurant that year […]
2025 Brings New Chef and Organic, Local Menu to The Jackalope Grill
If you’ve ever thought to yourself: “If only there was a secret garden here in Bend that serves organic, local dishes curated with the utmost attention to detail….” I’ve got great news. The Jackalope Grill is exactly what you’re looking for, and it’s right in the center of downtown Bend. When you arrive, you’ll walk […]
World-Renowned Ken’s Artisan Pizza Opens in Bend This Month
One of the world’s best pizzerias is opening in Bend. Ken’s Artisan Pizza, a beloved Portland institution known for its Neapolitan-style pies, will open its doors on Thursday, Feb. 20 in downtown Bend’s historic Downing Building, which has been renovated from the former Seven nightclub space. The opening marks the end of a two-year journey […]

