One of the area's many American-style Chinese food hotspots, Red Dragon serves up enormous portions of favorites like Monoglian Beef and General Tso's chicken. Chef Casey Chan, a native of Hong Kong, prepares dishes with Szechuan, Hunan, Mongolian, Cantonese and American roots. While it's not fine dining by any means, Red Dragon is sure to please when you're craving heaping servings of steaming wok- fried goodness. 61247 S. Highway 97. (541) 389-9888.
JEN'S GARDEN
This Sisters gem, owned by Jennifer and T.R. McCrystal, is a fine-dining foodie haven. The award-winning restaurant serves up la carte dishes as well as a reasonably priced prix-fixe menu Wednesday-Sunday. Dishes range from roasted chicken with homemade gnocchi in parmesan broth to sautéed cod with saffron aoli. All of the food is beautifully prepared and thoughtfully composed, making Jen's Garden one of the best fine dining experiences in Central Oregon. 404 E. Hood Ave., Sisters. 541-549-2699.
SPORK
This mobile street food kitchen - housed in a '62 Airstream trailer - serves some of the most creative and affordable food in Bend. Chef Jeff Hunt, formerly of Marz Bistro, is in charge of the stoves. Locations change every few weeks, but it's worth tracking down this kitchen-on-wheels for their pork-belly sandwich alone. Kudos to Spork for its environmentally friendly practices, including using compostable dishes and biodegradable cleaning products. Check Sporkbend.com for current location and hours. 541-390-0946.
EL POLLO GORDO
Owners Ron and Diane Burns opened El Pollo Gordo in 2008 with a mission to provide "fresh and healthy food at a reasonable price." Everything on the menu is cooked in small batches three to four times each day, from beans to salsa to rice. Tacos are a dollar and are some of the best in the area. With endless combinations of chicken meals, salads, burritos and tacos, hormone- and additive-free rotisserie chicken and a brilliant salsa bar, El Pollo Gordo lives up to its moniker. 1939 NE 3rd St. 541-318-7883.
