Wendy's - Bend Oregon

Wendy's

Wendy's has some of the smallest burger's I've seen! The photo below shows a burger off their value meal with fries and a frosty. I put the small frosty spoon next to the burger so you can see how small this sucker is.


Now that's tiny. I like Wendy's when it comes to getting a fast food burger. Fast food is rarely on my list of options but every now and then I get the craving for some gut busting, nasty ass fast food. I always like the Wendy's burgers with their crispy, bright lettuce and tomatos and soft buns. There's something about soft buns that gets me.

I LOVE taking some of their fries and dipping them into the frosty. That salty/sweet/hot/cold combo is great. I've been dipping my fries into a shake or frosty ever since I was a snot nosed kid. It takes me back and is just one of those things I never grew out of.

Anyway, the value menu at Wendy's is ok but if they keep making burgers this small, it aint worth the buck.

Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers
1609 NE 3rd St
Bend, OR
(541) 389-0522
http://www.wendys.com/

El Burrito

My last visit to El Burrito was ok, not great but just ok. So the Wife and a friend that was with me on the last visit, and I went back to El Burrito to give it another try.

The chips and salsa arrive at the table immediately and I was happy as I remembered them being quite good. Normally I don't like to complain about a freebee like chips and salsa but these weren't good. The chips were stale and the salsa was bland and had the consistency of koolaid. It felt like they were running low and simply added water to it like when the Wife adds water to the bottle of dish soap and shakes it up. Makes it last longer fo sho. (Wife sings in the background "In the ghettooooo")

Well I ordered the carna asada with some flour tortillas which are supposed to come with the meal, they never came. The steak was ok. The sides all lacked any sort of flavor. Everyone at the table had the same sentiment, it was just blah. The wife received her tortillas and when I asked about mine I was told that they were all in the same container. There were only three tortillas in the case and since she got the fajitas, it makes sense there were three for her. Lame. She was cool enough to give me one though.


It wasn't the best experience I've had and it will be difficult to get my friends to give them another try. I'm not sure if it was just an off day or not but it will be a while before I feel the urge to make a return visit.

El Burrito
335 NE Dekalb Street
Bend Oregon 97702

Alpenglow Cafe - Bend Oregon

Alpenglow Cafe

The Alpenglow Cafe has had a loyal following for a long, long time as do most of the breakfast restaurants in Bend. I have been to Alpenglow a few times. I used to go there back when they had the location next to Deschutes Brewery. I remember that they had great eggs Benedict's. I also remember that they used to be the hippy's #1 choice for breakfast complete with a pack of dogs and bikes out front that you'd have to navigate through in order to get inside where you were smacked in the nasal cavities with the aroma of patchouli.

Currently, they are located by Super Burrito and seem to still have their hippy following especially on nice days when the dogs and bikes are out in full force.

The wife and I went for lunch and the special for the day was a monte cristo. My man! Over the last couple years I have developed a love for the monte cristo. The monte served at Alpenglow seems to be the normal fashion to how this area makes 'em. Ham, turkey, cheese in between two thick slices of french toast served with preserves.


The only place in Bend that I have had a monte cristo where they actually battered the entire sandwich and fried it was at Greg's Grill...and it was awesome. Unfortunately I didn't take a photo and never did get to writing about it.

Alpenglow's monte was really really good but the best part were their fries. Nothing beats fresh fries covered in salty goodness. My arteries hate me but my belly loves me and my belly will win that battle every time until I get that sharp pain in my left arm...but until then, monte and fries for me. The great part about the meal was that it was only $6.95. Brilliant. Plus, it doesn't smell like patchouli anymore.

Alpenglow Cafe
1133 NW Wall St #100
Downtown Bend Oregon
541-383-7676
http://www.alpenglowcafe.com
alpenglow@bendcable.com

(Really?!? bend cable email address? You know you own your own domain right? You can use info@alpenglowcafe.com if you want to. Trust me, you can.)

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts have been spotted on Century Drive next to Dutch Brothers and in front of the gas station on Butler Market Road. $10 will get you a dozen.


I was going to go to Richard's Donuts this morning but it is in the opposite direction than my new office. So when I saw the little girl holding the sign on Butler Market, I had to make a quick U-turn.

"Here you go sir" she says as she handed the box through my window. Sir! I love it. She was maybe 5 yrs old. So cute.

Richard's Donuts & Pastries
61419 S. Hwy 97 Suite T
Bend Oregon 97702
541-385-3310

Deschutes Brewery Sagebrush Classic Announces 2009 Celebrity Chefs

Deschutes Brewery Sagebrush Classic Announces 2009 Celebrity Chefs

Bend, Ore. – The yesterday announced its line-up of celebrity chefs who will participate in this summer’s Classic Feast, the highlight of the popular two-day celebration which benefits the Deschutes Children’s Foundation. The Sagebrush Classic, which typically sells out, is a favorite among the star chef crowd, many who return summer after summer.

“The Sagebrush Classic is just that for me – a classic event with national notoriety that is a must on my calendar year after year. I have cooked all over the world and feel the event is world class.” said Mark Kiffin, owner of The Compound Restaurant in Santa Fe New Mexico, and James Beard Award Winner as one of America’s Best Chefs. “The event always puts together a great line-up of chefs, the outdoor event is spectacular in the Oregon high desert, and they pair our cuisine with BEER! Chefs LOVE beer, locally produced in Bend from Deschutes Brewery – truly the best of times!”

Indeed, an invitation to participate in the Classic Feast is regarded as a high honor in the chef community.

The all-star chef line-up for 2009 Sagebrush Classic Feast includes:


Jose Andres, Café Atlantico, Mini Bar, Jaleo, Zaytinya, Oyamel – Washington, D.C.
Mark Kiffin, The Compound - Santa Fe, NM
Jennifer Jasinski, Rioja - Denver, CO
Roberto Donna, Galileo – Washington, D.C.
Michael Smith, Michael Smith & Extra Virgin – Kansas City, MO
Jackie Lau, Roy's Restaurants – Honolulu, HI
Tom Fleming, Preferred Restaurant Services, Dallas
Ken Frank, La Toque – Napa, CA
Cathy Whims, Nostrana – Portland, OR
Gavin McMichael, The Blacksmith – Bend, OR
Greg & Mary Sonnier, Gabrielle, New Orleans, LA
Matt Neltner, Deschutes Brewery – Bend
Mike Mackie, Broken Top Club – Bend
Scott Neuman, OBA! Restaurante – Portland, OR
Sonthaya Kaewpradit, The Chedi Hotel – Phuket, Thailand
John Finger & Terry Sawyer, Hog Island Oysters – Marshall, CA
Bill Marinelli, Marinelli Shellfish – Multiple locations in WA and CA
Nigel Viet, Anna Truong & Christina Nguyen, Sheraton Saigon Hotel, Vietnam

Celebrating its 21st year this summer, the Deschutes Brewery Sagebrush Classic had humble beginnings. It started in 1989 when Gary Fish, Deschutes Brewery founder and president, gave an employee the go-ahead to organize a golf tournament for the pub’s customers, employees and vendors. That was followed by a barbeque in the alley behind the pub on Bond Street. The next year, they started donating proceeds to Deschutes Children’s Foundation. In 1994 a gourmet dinner was added that involved some of the top chefs in the country. Today the Classic Feast showcases the culinary artistry of national and international star chefs, and has evolved into a must-attend event for chefs and party-goers alike. In total, the Sagebrush Classic has generated more than $2 million for Deschutes Children’s Foundation, which each year serves more than 45,000 local children and families.

This year’s event begins on Friday, July 17, 2009 at Broken Top’s Golf Course. Fifty-two foursomes will compete for prizes and bragging rights in a friendly but fierce best ball competition.

The party continues on Saturday, July 18, with the Sagebrush Classic Feast, considered by many to be Central Oregon’s hottest night of the year. In the Broken Top Meadow, 1000 or more guests will dine on small-plate samplings of cuisine that has been carefully paired with award-winning craft beers from Deschutes Brewery. The gourmet grazing is followed by dancing to live music under the summer sky. This year's entertainment features Portland's concert rock violinist Aaron Meyer, and Los Angeles’ AM/FM, a 70’s rock show sensation.

Whereas many of the restaurants represented by these chefs have months-long waiting lists for reservations, the Sagebrush Classic allows guests to meet the chefs personally and enjoy their gourmet creations. Its unique setting draws those who want to treat special clients or just to enjoy a fun and special time with family and friends.

The price of individual tickets for the Classic Feast has been lowered to $200 in light of the current economic situation. Pricing and detailed information for golf teams, tables and sponsorships are listed at http://www.sagebrush.org/. In addition to ticket and sponsorship proceeds, the event raises funds via a much-anticipated silent auction.

Major Cash Sponsors of The Deschutes Brewery Sagebrush Classic include Broken Top Club, Broken Top Community Association, Smolich Motors/Volvo, Wells Fargo, Columbia Distributing and Starview Foundation. Supporting Sponsors include The Bulletin, Combined Communications, Cutter & Buck, Food Services of America, KOHD-TV, tbd Advertising, NW Palate Magazine, and Alpine Internet Solutions.

About Deschutes Children’s Foundation
The Deschutes Children's Foundation (DCF) is the primary beneficiary of the Sagebrush Classic. For information about the DCF and about specific programs and charities this event supports, visit http://www.deschuteschildrensfoundation.org.

About the Deschutes Brewery Sagebrush Classic
The Deschutes Brewery Sagebrush Classic is a golf tournament and culinary celebration held each summer in the spectacular mountain town of Bend, Oregon. The primary beneficiary of the event is the Deschutes Children's Foundation, which works to assist families and children in need in Central Oregon. http://www.sagebrush.org.

H. Bruce Miller - Awesome

I haven't read much of The Source Weekly since Laurie J. Rice stopped writing the food reviews but damn if H. Bruce Miller might get me back. The last two paragraphs of his Westside Is Reeling After Meth Bust article are pure genius.

"Well, gosh, who wouldn’t be shocked? Swarthy guys with moustaches peddling drugs (and METH, no less – how yucky, how déclassé!) is something that’s simply not supposed to happen on the Westside, where the homes are Craftsman-cute and the residents treat their toned, Spandex-clad bodies as temples. It’s only supposed to happen on the Eastside, where all the ugly shopping centers and crappy apartment complexes are located and the obese denizens pollute their bodies with fast-food burgers and other toxins."

Well done my man. Keep that shit up. Eastside sucks.