Cascade Lakes Lodge - Bend Oregon

Cascade Lakes Lodge

I'm one of those people that usually will get the same thing on the menu over and over. Once I find something good, I'll stick with it for years. If I continued on that path, this blog will be completed after 7 entries. So I have been trying to mix it up and venture out to try new things.

I should've known better when I found myself at the Cascade Lakes Lodge. I've been there a few times, even was a member of the Mug Club when they first opened. I've tried a few different items on the menu and am almost always disappointed.

By far their best menu item has to be the Turkey Melt with Basil Pesto Mayo. Comes with thick slices of bacon and served hot on some Parmesan bread. And their fries are pretty good. So why would I stray? And worse yet, why would I stray for a meal called the Cowgirl Up? It sounded really good. They have a Cowboy Up burger which has bacon and BBQ sauce. I'm not a fan of BBQ on a hamburger. But on a chicken breast with bacon and cheese, yeah now you see my point.



What do you think? Look good? Here's a close up:



This was supposed to be a toasted Kaiser roll. If it was toasted, it might have been able to stand up to the juices and the BBQ sauce instead the bun got soggy and shredded to nothing. Even with the BBQ sauce, this sandwich was very bland. Maybe if I dipped the entire thing in BBQ sauce and then made a salt crust around it, deep fried it in beer batter, wrapped it in a Chicago deep dish pizza (Pizza? Now that's what I call a Taco ... Taco Town!!) it might have turned out better.

I asked the wife, is it possible for chicken to taste like grey. It looked grey, tasted grey, digested grey, and ... well I'll just stop there.

And look at that sad pickle.

Ok, so maybe I'm being a little harsh on this sandwich but when it's on the specials menu, I expect a little more out of it. Anyway, if you find yourself at Cascade Lakes Lodge I do recommend their Turkey Melt. I would not recommend much else and especially not the Cowgirl Up.

Cascade Lakes Lodge
1441 SW Chandler Avenue
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 388-4998
http://www.cascadelakes.com/locations/The_Lodge/Lodge2006.html

La Rosa - Bend Oregon

Everyone seems to sweat La Rosa when the topic of Mexican food comes up. Why is it that no one references Mexican food as Cuisine? Everyone calls it Mexican Food. Why can't we call it fine dining, delicious Mexican cuisine? Maybe because after you stuff your fat face with the complimentary chips and salsa, then grub up your fajitas, your margaritas, and your soapapeas (no idea how to spell that one) you end up with the ... Mexicoma.

You KNOW you want to pass out on the couch after you eat that gynormous burrito, enchilada style from Taco Stand, or the Tres Caballos from El Caporal, or the crunch wrap supreme from Taco Bell. Hence, the Mexicoma - a profound state of unconsciousness due to over ingestion of deep fried burritos and mole sauce.

This was our first year participating in the Tour of Homes. You like the segway? That is an odd experience, looking through someone else's house. I was able to score copious amounts of viagra from many medicine cabinets though .... kidding .... there wasn't anything in the medicine cabinets. I'm joking! I didn't even look.

Anyway, after touring all those homes, I found myself quite famished. I know that the wife was quite hungry as well since we were the bickering back and forth over nothing. We ended up at La Rosa.

I like El Caporal when it comes to hanging out, drinking a Margarita, and stuffing my chubby mug. I could write a review of El Caporal in my sleep so I wanted to get a photo or two and give my two cents worth on La Rosa.

Ok, the salsa is amazing...a little chunky for my liking but I know a lot of people like that. The wife loves it chunky (that and my sense of humor is why she still hangs out with me). We asked what their most popular Margarita is and the waiter sait that its the Red Cactus:


OH MAN that's one damn good Margarita. It reminded me of Jungle Juice but without the fruit. They put a little crack on the rim though so it's really not fair. The wife and I were not sure at first so we thought we would split one. I had to get another cause I got all ice on the first split. It really was a great Margarita and I look forward to having it again.

I had the Tequila Tacos.


The Tacos were pretty bland. They simply lacked in any real flavor that I come to expect from some steak tacos. We will most likely go back to La Rosa but I will be trying a different dish next time for sure. Maybe something like what the wife got:


Camarones La Rosa wif shrimps. We both agreed that her dish was perfect. The sauce was great. I should start writing stuff down while at the restaurant so I can try to come up with better descriptions than delicious and great. The cheese just sort of melted into the sauce making it a cheesy creamy tomatoey sauce .... mmmm cheese.

So, while I am not ready to say that La Rosa is "the best Mexican" in Bend, there is enough there for us to want to go back.

La Rosa Authentic Mexican
(541) 318-7210
1444 NW College Way # 104
Bend, OR 97701
http://larosabend.com/

Lunch 11-4 pm DAILY
Amigo 1-6 PM DAILY
Dinner 4:00 PM DAILY
Menu Bar Menu
Take OutPick-up?
Call us directly ay 541-318-7210

Delivery?
Call Bend Take Out 541-382-8844

Bend Brewing Company or BBC - Bend Oregon

Bend Brewing Company

Ah Friday! I love Friday. The horse's name is Friday! It's Friday, you ain't got no job ...

Alright so today I went out to lunch with some friends to the Bend Brewing Company again. Not my choice since I was there recently but I was outnumbered and hungry and the sun was in my eyes.

I felt like I was in that commercial for Sam Adams where those suck ups order water, then water but with lemon...I'll take an Outback. Outback will put some hair on your chest. Sounds good huh ladies?

Last time I had the BBQ Turkey but today I went for the Outback battered Fish n Chips. It's paired nicely with ... you guessed it Watson, the Outback Ale.



Great stuff but I wonder if $9 is a bit on the high side for fish n chips? I'm rich so it doesn't really matter to me but it may be something to consider (update, Deschutes charges $14 for their Fish and Chips so $9 is pretty damn good). I guess $9 is a good price. I mean, if it was $3.99 I would be a bit worried about the quality.

The fish was good and as I've mentioned before, their fries are some of the best in town. I should have taken a growler to-go. For $12 you can get a 64oz jug of beer. Mmmmm beer. Plus you get to keep the jug. WHOO whooo WHOOO whooo (that's my Lisa Simpson playing the Jug) ... fun for the whole family. Refills are only $9.

I'm not rich btw, that was just a joke.

Bend Brewing Company
1019 NW Brooks St.
Bend, OR, 97701
(541)383-1599
http://www.bendbrewingco.com/

Hot Apple Pie ... from McDonalds ... sigh

Why? Why hasn't McDonalds been busted for selling crank yet? Come on, you KNOW it's crank, or crack, or smack, or the good ol' black tar. I can't wait to get this meal out of my system which should be in about 3...2...1 oh lord!!!

Anyway, check out the yummy Hot Apple Meth...I mean Pie:

How can you go wrong? It's 2 for a buck! A BUCK!! Yup, I put that in my belly. Actually I put this in my belly:

That's RIGHT!!! It's the doctored up Hot Apple Pie. I call it the White Trash Eclair. I told you in an earlier post that I am a fatty. Now if I can get them to swap out the Apple with Gravy...that would be gold. Dibs!!! That's right I called Dibs.

Anyway, if you find yourself at a fast food joint like McD's, I highly recommend .... uh .... shoot, you know what you're going to get. You get it every time. I used to get the #2 religiously until they did away with it. Now it's a couple bacon cheeseburgers and some fries.

So, if you really need a recommendation, I highly recommend reading

Fast Food Nation.

Cibelli's New York Pizza - Bend Oregon

"It's not New York Style Pizza...It's New York Pizza!"

Cibelli's on the West side of Bend has some of the best pizza in town. The other pizza joints are ok if you like only a couple toppings and small slices. If you order the 24" pizza at Cibelli's, you better bring your MiniVan or your SUV cause I know you have one. If not, then you're fine cause you drive a Subaru, admit it! You'll need the space because Cibelli's has the largest pizza box, I swear it. Check it out:


Now, the box is impressive but check this out!

That's right, Pepperoni, Pineapple, and Black Olive. This one is only the 18" but it's plenty for me. I didn't eat the crust and I made it through 3 slices and wanted to pass out. I'm a fatty. But seriously, look at the toppings...there are toppings...and tons of them! I've asked for a slice of pepperoni at different places in town and I might be lucky to get two or three slices of meat.

Bend is getting pretty funny with natural and organic options and the gourmet pizzas. Places like Pizzicato and Pizza Mondo will offer the cheese and pepperoni and then they'll have a ton of pizza's with pesto, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, spinach, and such. Look at you reading this getting all happy about your nasty sundried artichoke pesto pizza and you're healthy ass. No one likes you.

The best part of Bend, or Deschutes County for that matter, is that while restaurants offer the organic ingredients, their to go containers are (or can be) Styrofoam. Good thing you carry a nalgene to reduce waste but you look silly walking to your Hummer carrying your Toomies lunch meal deal in a Styrofoam box. Good going.

Now Cibelli's offers all those "crazy" ingredients if you're interested. And they use paper plates and aluminum foil. Good stuff.

When I get a whole pie at Cibelli's, I ask for some "love" on the side. No, it's cool, the wife's down with love on the side too.

Even though it's weird to ask another dude for some love on the side, I'm secure. "Love" is their mixture of Italian ingredients that you can sprinkle on top. If you go in for just a slice or two, they have plenty of Love available on site.

I highly recommend Cibelli's for your pizza needs. I also recommend getting some love on the side...of your pizza...to sprinkle on top...of your pizza. You're sick.

Cibelli's New York Pizza
318-2800 Westside
385-8646 Eastside
330-8646 Tumalo

SOBA - Downtown Bend Oregon

SOBA Asian Bistro

I am a fan of SOBA especially the Downtown Bend location. Actually, I have only been to the downtown Bend location but I highly recommend it. They give generous portions and it's quite quick, when there isn't a huge line. Jess and Rose (who no longer work there as I update this post) are awesome, helpful, and friendly. I swear they are always working so you'll probably see them.

One of my favorite dishes is the Chicken Phad Thai.

I apologize for the to go box photo. I'll update the photo's the next time around. I normally will ask for extra peanut sauce which really makes a big difference. As I've said before, "George likes his chicken spicy" so I recommend getting some of that red sauce that's hot as balls. Some call it rooster sauce, some cock sauce, I just call it Asian hot sauce.

This phad thai is the best in Bend. Those suckers that sweat Toomies are just that, suckers. I like the Chicken Red Curry at Toomies, but their phad thai is like spaghetti with a peanut sauce and wayyyy too oily. Toomies does have some good stuff, don't get me wrong, I'm just bashing their oily peanut spaghetti.

If I don't get the phad thai, I also enjoy the Spicy Shrimp Noodle Soup. The soup comes with a ton of vegetables and I love the glass noodles. It was too hot today for soup.

The wife likes to mix it up which is normal. Today she went with the Tonkatsu with the Curry sauce. The photo doesn't do it justice, this dish is gooood. The crispy Tonkatsu (breaded and fried pork cutlet) mixed with a little curry sauce was a great combo. I know you can't see it but it's served over white rice.


SOBA Asian Bistro
945 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97701
Ph: 541.318.1535
http://www.eatsoba.com/

Other reviews of SOBA:

SOBA Crouching Tiger Hidden Noodle

Kincaid's in Berlingame California

So after my glamorous flight to SF, I was able to mustard up the strength to try and eat some actual food...on the company dime. I was taken to Kincaid's in Berlingame, CA. Until that moment, I have never heard of it. I love seafood so I didn't protest.

The place was packed and we were told it would be a 45 minute wait. Since it was a beautiful evening we sat on the patio since we didn't have to wait. Here's the menu. Not a whole lot of use for me since we all ordered off the specials menu which is not available online.

We had one of the shrimp trio dishes. All three were rather tasty.

I had a cup of their chowder which was average at best.

Then, the dish that sparked my interest was the dungeness Crab Stuffed Mahi Mahi. I should have asked how this dish was prepared. I assumed it was going to be rather light and grilled. Instead it was breaded, fried, and covered with a reduction gravy.

I did enjoy the meal aside from the green beans. Green beans are for suckers. They just don't taste good. Like green chalk but without butter. mmm buttery chalk is good times.

Anyway, if I was paying, I probably wouldn't go back. That place was crazy expensive and wasn't really that great. I was impressed with their wall of liquors. I wish I had a picture of that.

Kincaid's Fish, Chop, and Steakhouse
60 Bayview Place
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 342-9844
Kincaid's Berlingame

BBC or Bend Brewing Company - Bend Oregon

Bend Brewing Company

One of my favorite places to dine is the Bend Brewing Company or BBC. It's located in a great spot just off of Mirror Pond. It's pretty cool to look out onto the water or just at the swaying trees. Maybe it's me that's swaying after a couple pints of Outback Ale. The photos of the view are here mainly cause they will be going away eventually.


There is a company that is building condos all around the BBC. The story I heard is that this company came in and offered the owners money for the land but nothing for the business. I heard that they were expecting them to accept but the BBC thankfully did not. Now this company is building the condos all around the BBC. So, eventually this view will probably go away.

The food at the Bend Brewing Company is always delicious. I went with my normal BBQ Turkey on Focaccia (I pronounce it pho-kaw-shia - I'm going to name one of my kids Phokawshia) and a salad. Now the BBQ Turkey normally does not come on Focaccia. It's now on a hoagie roll. They changed it so it would be easier to do half sandwiches. Plus, I normally do not have the salad since the BBC has probably the best French fries in town. So I guess I didn't go with my normal at all. Wanna fight about it?


Anyway, today the BBQ Turkey was extra special cause the turkey was chopped up a bit instead of it's normal full slices folded over. They probably gave me all the scrap pieces but whatever, it made the sandwich better. Wanna fight about it?

The wife chose to try the soup of the day, a split pea with barley and a half turkey club. What is it with getting that one slice of bacon that isn't cut in half? Who eats it like that? Doesn't everyone have to take the sandwich apart and break their own bacon so it fits on the sandwich? Does it look bad if they were to just cut the bacon in half? I would prefer not to have to touch my own bacon.


She said it was great regardless. She didn't share a bite of her lunch today so I can't say for sure if I approve or not but most likely it was great. I have not had a problem with anything at the BBC yet. I didn't mind about her hoarding all her food, I was way too busy stuffing my face with BBQ sauce covered turkey to give a ... hoot.

Bend Brewing Company
1019 NW Brooks St.
Bend, OR, 97701
(541)383-1599
http://www.bendbrewingco.com/

BOR on the Road - Plane Snack

Yeah so here's a look into my glamorous lifestyle. Flying out of Redmond to SF is a real treat especially when you're treated like a king by United Air. Let me show you what I mean...

Yeah that's right, not only did they give me 8.5 ml of spring water from Dannon (don't they make yogurt) but they also provided me with a single serving of PLANE SNACK. What the hell is a PLANE SNACK?!?! Seriously? I must be in heaven. No more delicious peanuts for me, no more pretzel snack mix, no more edible food. Nope, I'm big time now, I get PLANE SNACK. MMMMM MMMM good!

Lordy, plane snack....I ate two pieces of plan snack and it made me drink the last of my 8.5 ml of yogurt water.

Hey, can I post a request...nay, a favor if you will, to anyone that might possibly read this in the future? Who the hell do you think you are by reclining your seat on a plane? Are we really that desperate for 3 more inches of room that we are willing to yank 3 inches from your fellow human being behind you?

I hate you for putting your seat back, I want to kick you in the back of the head but I can't because my knees are locking into position just below the tray table.

Think about this. The people in the second to last row are asked by the flight attendant to please not recline since the people in the last row can not. It's bad enough they rest their heads against the toilet wall and get to smell your anus as you depart.

Now, this makes the second to last row...the last row! They can not recline their seats cause it's unfair to the people behind them and BRAVO to you who do not torture the poor toilet guard.

Since the second to last row is asked not to recline, why not tell the third to last row not to recline. Then, the fourth, fifth, sixth, and so on. You get the idea.

Basically, DO NOT RECLINE YOUR DAMN SEAT!!! When I get rich I'm going to give the person in front of me cash if they do not recline. Well, I'll randomly select someone cause I'll be in first class or on my own plane...with my own brand of Plane Snack made with diamonds...they make my dookie twinkle!

Bend Fish Company - Bend Oregon

Bend Fish Company

Today we finally made it to Bend Fish Company for lunch. I've heard nothing but good things about the fish tacos. When we got there we ran into a friend who said that she has heard that the fish tacos were good. When we went up to the cashier to place our order, he said that everyone gets the fish tacos. So of course the wife goes first and guess what she gets? Yup, the Poki Tuna and the Thai This salad. I love her.

On the left, Thai This ($7.95) - Lime Prawns, Angel Hair Pasta, Shredded Vegetables, and Spicy Peanut Dressing. On the right, Poki Tuna ($5.95) - Raw Ahi, Shredded Vegetables, and Spicy Asian Dressing.

Both of these were delicious. The wife likes her vegetables and there were plenty. I enjoyed the Ahi, bites of her pasta, and stealing shrimp when she went refill her Arnold Palmer. All in all, a good meal.

My turn...Fish Tacos.

Fish Taco Plate ($7.50) - Fish...Tortillas....Plate. There was a mound of the chunkiest salsa I have ever seen on each, some shredded cabbagge, pretty sure some cilantro, and Cotija (it's a cheese) sprinkled on top.

Anyway, they were delicious with some Chahula hot sauce. Delicious without but "George likes his chicken spicy". Apparently you can get the fish grilled and not fried. If I get the fish tacos again, I will go grilled.

All in all, good lunch. I thought it was a bit on the spendy side but the portions were pretty damn good and the quality was there to back it up. We both agreed that we are going to try the Fish and Chips next time. You get to pick the fish, slaw, and tartars. Sounds like a challenge to me.

So if you get a chance to check out the Bend Fish Company, I'll go ahead and recommend the Fish and Chips...screw everyone else and their fish taco loving faces (but they are good).

Bend Fish Company
212 NE Revere
Bend, OR 97701
541-330-6131
http://www.centormall.com/Bend_Fish_Company/index.htm

Balay, Bend Oregon

Balay in Bend Oregon offers Coffee, Espresso, and Bubble Tea. I am not a fan of Bubble Tea but the wife loves it. For $3.75 She treated herself to a 16 oz Avocado Bubble Tea and loved it. She got the recommendation from who we guess is the owner.

Avocado beverage? Pearl Tapioca inside an avocado beverage? Yeah, that's not my cup of tea. Get it? Cup of tea, bubble tea! hahaha brilliant. My grandma used to make tapioca pudding when I was a kid. I ate it with a spoon. If they had these gynormous straws back then I still don't think I would have sucked it up.

I'm sure the day is going to come where I am eating through a straw but that day is not today my friend.

Me: So tell me, did you enjoy your tea?
Wife: TOTALLY! Its sooo light and refreshing...and it's a snack!

So there you have it. Bubble Tea - the light and refreshing snack food drink. She also enjoys the lavender / Black Tea flavor combo.

Balay - Coffee Espresso Bubble Tea
961 NW Brooks Street
Bend, OR 97701
541-389-6464