Aloha, Shred Town We love seeing our Bend small businesses grow, and that is exactly what is happening to Kurt Voorhees’ food cart, Shred Town. Located outside of Aspect Boards & Brews on NW Galveston, now Voorhees is able to expand his business. Where? To Hawaii. Kona, on the Big Island, is an even bigger […]
Food Review
Posted inFood & Drink
Festivals of All Kinds
Beer Wars and Brewfest cap off a busy summer
The paddleboard’s been paddled, the lake swum in, the trail hiked, an unduly large number of food-stall dumplings consumed; now it’s time to cap off the summer with some beer. Summer is always a busy time for craft enthusiasts, but over the years, Bendites have seen the second half of August turn into an unofficial […]
Posted inFood & Drink
A Vessel Worthy of the Craft
DrinkTanks expands along with the rest of Bend’s beer scene
For the past 10 years or so, the watchword for Central Oregon beer has been “expansion.” It’s a trend that continues apace, although it’s perhaps not so noticeable at the moment because not as many new breweries are opening. But our existing breweries are expanding like there’s no tomorrow. So it goes, as well, for […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Vegetarian
1st place | Laughing Planet
Most menus in Bend provide ample options for vegetarians on the hunt for a meatless meal – so in that way, the best vegetarian category has some meaty competition. Still, it’s Laughing Planet that came out, well, laughing. Their well-designed menu makes it easy to decipher which plates are veg-friendly. Meat is by no means […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Mexican
1st place | El Rancho Grande Mexican Restaurant
This year’s Best Mexican is an ace up the sleeve, for sure. If you don’t know El Rancho Grande, you should. It’s in the Cascade Village Shopping Center across from the water fountain. You can’t miss it because there’s a giant bucking bull out front. That’s Diablo, their mascot. The dining room is lined with […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Ethnic Food
1st place | Kebaba Restaurant
Serving Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food with a Bend twist for 10 years as of this October, Kebaba is your best bet for ethnic food. Jackpot dishes include a lamb gyro made from house roasted, all natural, hormone-free lamb leg, served on a homemade fresh-baked pita. Also noteworthy are the chicken, lamb, salmon or prawn […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Thai
1st place | Wild Rose Thai
Let’s be honest: Bend drew an Ace when Wild Rose opened downtown. Everyone loves the place because you can play this card multiple different ways. The cozy, eclectic atmosphere is inviting for any occasion. You could bring your mom, have a business meeting, or go on a Tinder date and you’d still feel right at […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Dessert
1st place | Bontร Gelato
Serving up hand-crafted, artisan gelato and sorbets that trump all other desserts, Bontà Gelato sources its ingredients from farms and companies like Rainshadow Organics, Miracle Acre Farm, Tumalo Lavender, Jem Nut Butter, Freddy Guys Hazelnuts, Thump Espresso and Eberhard’s. Much like they have done since their start in 2011 at NorthWest Crossing Farmers Market, the […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Gluten Free
1st place | Fearless Baking Bakery & Cafe
When it comes to getting the best gluten free (GF) items for breakfast and lunch, place your bets on Fearless Baking Bakery & Café, where they’ve been serving it up since 2013. Founder and owner Elise Kukulka always directs people toward the GF Rosemary English Muffins, which she makes into breakfast sandwiches and lunch sandwiches […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Eating High on the Hog
Pono Farm & Fine Meats surpasses expectations
Have you had fried rice before? Oh, you have? NO! NO! You are wrong! You have never had fried rice until you’ve eaten Pono Farm’s Fried Rice. Heck, you haven’t even lived until you have had their insanely addictive, bacon-fat-and-meat-flurried-fluffy-rice-and-what-is-that? A-shred-of-carrot? Oh-this-is-healthy! …fried-rice dish. Pono Farm & Fine Meats is a magical place where cows […]