Deschutes Brew Pub - ESB

Deschutes Brew Pub

There is nothing better on a snowy Friday like today than a bowl of clam chowder (served as the special soup every Friday...at least as far as I know), a pint of Inversion, and a ESB (Extra Special Burger). Oh and adding up the calories is pretty fun too.

Below is an older photo of my lunch about a month ago. Back then they were not making their own fries like they normally do because of a shortage of potatoes. They are making their own fries now though so maybe I'll be able to get a new photo today.

If you get fries with your meal, make sure you try their mustard. It's like dipping your fries in a pool of heaven. Shoot, even if you don't get fries, try the mustard. Try it on your salad...sure, why not, it's what Sorority girls do. Don't they? They also have tickle fights and practice kissing with each other.

The home made fries are scrumptious. Get them.

Deschutes serves up some delicious food. They make their own buns, use local beef for their burgers, brew their own beers (at least some of the beers), make their own mustard, and have some hot waitresses. I mean, a friendly wait staff ready to serve.

I mean the list of great food, beers, and service goes on and on. Go there today and tell your friendly waiter (they're good lookin too...what up Marcus) or waitress that I sent ya...maybe they'll comp me a pint or something.

Deschutes Beer Pub

1044 NW Bond Street, between Franklin and Greenwood
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-9242
http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/BrewPub/default.aspx

McMenamins - Crab Melt

McMenamins - Bend Oregon

I found myself at McMenamins again for lunch recently. On the daily specials menu the Dungenous Crab Melt caught my attention. The description was a perfect match for my taste buds - Dill Havarti, Bacon, Fresh Avacado, and served on some toasted garlic bread. Now please tell me if you think that I'm wrong in expecting some crab, cheese, bacon, and a slice of avacado on toasted bread.

Instead I received a Dungenous Crab CAKE Melt with Guacamole. I do not have a problem with this dish as long as THAT's how it's described on the menu. I am generally not a fan of crab cakes and I am pretty picky when it comes to good quac. The crab cake was ok but in this dish there was just too much going on and not enough crab. The quac was not good at all. A slice of fresh avacado would have helped out for sure.

I was pretty disappointed with this special to say the least. I definitely would not have ordered it had I known it was a crab cake with guacamole.

McMenamins - Old St. Francis School

700 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-5174
http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=98&id=737

McMenamins - Old St. Francis School - Bend Oregon

McMenamins - Old St. Francis School

Driving around downtown we were having trouble deciding on where to get some food. A couple wrong turns and next thing we knew, there was McMenamins. Where else in town can you get a bowl of cheese for lunch? I don't know but I wanted me some cheese!


We hadn't been to McMenimans in quite a while. The last time we went for lunch the service was really...really...really slow. That's not the best feature when you do have to get back to work at some point. A lot of our friends have had the same experience but we were willing to give it another go.


The service was just dandy. I was actually rather impressed that we got exactly what we asked for, with the proper timing especially because our waitress appeared to be in training. She did a fabulous job though.


I am a big fan of restaurants giving you your appetizer first and allowing enough time to enjoy it before the rest of your food comes out. Baldy's, I'm talking to you buddy. Love your ribs but bring the wings out before my food gets there. The tables aren't big enough to hold everything. I guess I could just eat less but that's not going to happen.


What was I talking about...oh right...a bowl of cheese:


We were starving so while we figured out what we were going to order for lunch, we decided to try the Brewer's Crab Fondue Pot. Beer, cheese, crab...freakin awesome! After I was done with my Burger, I kicked myself for not spreading some of this fondue on it. That would have been perfection!

I'm half kidding. The fondue was insanely good. It was a bit much for just two people who both ordered a regular lunch as well. Four people would have been perfect or if we just got half salads after. But no, I had to get the Bacon Cheeseburger:

Pretty good for a burger. The bacon was a bit too crispy. Also, what's with the dollup of mayo/mustard "double secret sauce" that they splack on the bun? It's not enough to spread out on the bun at all. They give just the size of a quarter worth. Give me a little on the side or something so I dont have to reach for the mustard or ketchup. Other than that, it was a pretty good burger.

All in all, a good time at McMenamins.

McMenamins - Old St. Francis School

700 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-5174
http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=98&id=737

Taco Del Mar Bend Oregon

Taco Del Mar in Bend Oregon

First off let me warn you about the photo below...not appetizing at all. I have been to Taco Del Mar a few times now but I have not had the chance to get a good photo. So I snapped this one after I got home. If I wasnt' satisfied with my experiences at Tac Del Mar then I'd probably just leave this one and call it a day. But, I thoroughly enjoy the meals and the value for my hard earned money (well, my earned money).

Anyway, the Taco Del Mar over by Best Buy in the Cascade Village serves up Mondo Burritos and Rippin' Tacos. I have yet to try one of the Rippin Tacos but it's on my list. So far I have tried the Mondo Burritoes. The first burrito I tried was wet (covered in enchilada sauce). But since then I have decided that I don't want to spend $1.25 extra just for enchilada sauce. Instead, I roll that buck twenty fiver on over to the extra portion of meat. Now THAT's worth a buck!

WARNING - UNPLEASANT PHOTO AHEAD

I have here a really poorly taken photo of my delicious and hella spicy Mondo Pork Burrito. The pork wasnt that spicy but their home made hot sauce is. I have enjoyed everything that I have ordered here so far and their service is fast and friendly. I can't wait to go there again after I shop at Bed, Bath...oh I mean Best Buy...yeah that's it...TVs and Computers...yeah.

What I like about the fast service is the Subway style ordering...only good food, and generous portions. You get to choose your flavor of tortilla, then ingredients including type of beans, meat, salsa, whatnot. Good stuff.

Taco Del Mar

63455 N. Hwy 97 Suite 41
Bend, OR 97701
541-317-1112
www.tacodelmar.com

Here's a much better photo sent to me from the owner (slightly better than mine):