Crooked River Dinner Train

Crooked River Dinner Train Opens May 30
Under new management, a Central Oregon icon returns with a fresh approach

The Crooked River Dinner Train and Cougar Canyon BBQ announced that the train will have its first dinner run of the season on Saturday, May 30th. The train is under new management and will run every Saturday, with more dates to be scheduled as the summer progresses. The train will also be transformed into the Cougar Canyon Whistle Stop Tavern from 3 p.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday, while it is parked in its location off Lone Pine Road between Redmond and Terrebonne.

“To us, the train is an important piece of the culture of Central Oregon and we are looking forward to creating memories for our riders,” said Jimmy Brundage, owner of Cougar Canyon Catering which took over operations for the train earlier this year. “We have changed the menu, changed the entertainment line-up and kept the authentic experience that the train provides.”

The food will feature a northwestern homemade theme, with new menu changes occurring often. Diners can expect to feast on smoked tri-tip, chicken or salmon, along with vegetarian options, and finish up with a variety of homemade pies. All meats and produce will be locally sourced, and the train will feature Oregon wines and beers.

The scheduled Saturday night runs will continue the murder mystery entertainment tradition with a new and improved twist. Upcoming dinner train themes include wine tasting and family entertainment evenings, comedy night and guest celebrity night.

The Crooked River Dinner Train is also available for weddings, reunions, corporate retreats/meeting and other special events. The Saturday night dinner train ride is $79 for adults, with special pricing for seniors, children and groups. The full schedule and pricing can be found online at www.crookedriverdinnertrain.com or by calling 541- 447-6251.

About the Crooked River Dinner Train
The Crooked River Dinner Train was constructed in the 1940s, with cars that were originally intended for cargo. They were dining cars about 20 years ago, and the dinner train with incorporated entertainment began in the early 90s. The train travels on a 38-mile round trip through the beautiful Crooked River Valley. The dinner train is still touted as one of the unique experiences available in Central Oregon. www.crookedriverdinnertrain.com

About Cougar Canyon BBQ
Cougar Canyon’s mission is to provide the highest quality barbecue and grilling techniques using traditional time-honored methods to satisfy the needs of every client, while providing great service and value. The company specializes in quality "homemade" food, including secret BBQ sauces, marinades and rubs, family recipes and the freshest locally grown meats and vegetables available. Company founder, Jimmy B, had his passion for cooking and serving the public ignited at the young age of eight. After a stint in the corporate world, Jimmy returned to his passion and has realized his dream of creating the best BBQ around with the creation of Cougar Canyon BBQ. www.cougarcanyonbbq.com

Club Sandwich

What makes a sandwich a Club Sandwich? I ask because many times I see a Club Sandwich on the menu at a restaurant and what arrives on my plate varies. My research (wiki) defines the club as:
"A club sandwich is a "double-decker" sandwich with two layers of fillings between 3 slices of bread. It is often cut into quarters and held together by cocktail sticks. The traditional club ingredients are turkey on the bottom layer, and bacon, lettuce, and tomato on the top."

History of the Club Sandwich defines the club as:
"The Club Sandwich is a sandwich with cooked chicken breast and bacon, along with juicy ripe tomatoes and crisp lettuce layered between two or three slices of toasted bread with mayonnaise."

On an earlier post I ask myself what constitutes a club sandwich vs a regular sandwich to which I answered:
"In my opinion a club sandwich should have three slices of buttered toast, cut into quarters, and contain chicken or turkey, ham or bacon, crispy lettuce, juicy tomatoes (which I usually leave off as it can make a mess of things), and mayo."
So basically a Club Sandwich can simply be a turkey and bacon with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Lame. When you put Club Sandwich on the menu, I think the standard should be three slices of buttered toast and cut into quarters at a minimum. The rest of the options are yours to play with.

I bring all this up due to my recent visit to McKay Cottage. I selected the Three Sisters Club from the lunch menu with fries. Three Sisters Club - Avocado, oven roasted turkey, applewood bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato, layered between slices of grilled foccacia $9.75


For a turkey and bacon sandwich, it was very good. Excellent bacon, the avocado was ripe and plentiful, and the foccacia was light and fluffy.

My favorite Club Sandwich in Bend is from Krista's at Widgi Creek. The club served at Krista's is on three slices of buttered toast with smoked chicken, ham, American and Gruyère cheese, red onion, tomatoes, avocado, lettuce, mayo, and of course bacon. THATS what I'm talking 'bout!!! (The Wife loves when people/athletes yell that line)


The Downtowner also serves up a mean club sandwich. Turkey, ham, smoked Gouda, bacon, and the rest. I recommend getting your house style which means they put on some of Mom's homemade mustard. A secret recipe that resembles Hickory Farms Sweet Hot mustard.

Tony's Deli makes a decent Italian Club - turkey, pancetta, tomato, avocado, pesto, romaine, mozzarella and mayo on sourdough. Very fresh and bright, clean flavors. I thought the pancetta instead of bacon was a great change of pace as well as the pesto. It was a very good club for being Italian. BUT, don't get the club sandwich at Tony's, get the Cheesesteak, best in Bend!

Bo Restobar had a good King Crab Club which consists of crab cakes, bacon, avocado, and lettuce on toasted egg bread. This bad boy was a killer club and followed most of the traditional requirements that I enjoy (aside from the crab cake).

Pita Pit is ass. There was barely any meat at all in that huge ass pita. It was about one deli slice of ham, a slice of turkey, and two McDonalds thin slices of "real" bacon. Real thin bacon is more accurate. With all the bread and veggies, I could barely taste the meat.

Applebee's = yuk face. Remember the green yuk face stickers? I'd put one on Applebee's if I could.

My favorite comment from lunch came as we were getting up from the table and my friend says (and I know this isn't a topic to make jokes about but it summed up lunch perfectly in my mind) "I wish I was bulimic".

Jake’s Diner’s Third Annual Race Night

Jake’s Diner’s Third Annual Race Night

On Wednesday, May 20th, Jake’s Diner will be holding it’s third annual Race Night BBQ.

Dragsters from Madras drags and Circle track cars from Madras Speedway will join with local cruisers for a big car show in Jake’s parking lot. Madras Drags and Madras Speedway officials will be on hand to answer questions regarding their upcoming season.

Jake’s will be holding one of it’s famous BBQ’s starting at 5:30 and “The Taelour Project” will be performing in the parking lot from 6PM to 8PM.

Ocean Roll - Sparrow Bakery

Ocean Roll

The last post I wrote was about a tasty sandwich from the Sparrow Bakery. My Facebook friends were commenting away as were my Tweeps (shutter) like @MelindaCampbell who kept telling me that I have to try the Ocean Roll.

I'm not a huge fan of sweets but that damn! This thing is crazy good. Its like a cinnamon roll on steroids. I'll call it the Manny Ramirez of Cinnamon Rolls. @thewritegal on twitter tells me that the Ocean Roll doesn't actually contain cinnamon but what I'm tasting is actually Cardamom.


Man, I don't even know how to describe it. There is a lot going on in the glaze and the pastry itself was flaky and soft. Mmmmm I'm in love! For $3.25 it is worth it. Ladies, this is one of those treats that you can celebrate with after a day of hiking, biking, or training for the "Couch to 5K." You deserve it.


Sparrow Bakery
50 SE Scott St
Bend, Oregon 97702
United States

Sparrow Bakery

A friend of mine has been dying to try the Sparrow Bakery. He wanted to go so bad he even tried to schedule via outlook. I had a short opportunity to grab a quick bite and we met up over at the bakery. I wasn't going to publish this review until I tried the Ocean Roll that EVERYONE keeps telling me to get. But @cassondra on Twitter said I should go with my rebellious insticts and I agree. You can't tell me what to do. Ocean Roll or not, I'm writing. (btw, if you're not following me on twitter, you're missing out on some great stuff...I'm sort of a big deal - follow me!)

The super friendly staff welcomed me and answered any questions I had. Even went outside to bring in another table for me as there were not any seats available in the tiny seating area. That's rockstar status. They see a guy like me and bring in a table all Goodfellas style.

There were some great choices on the small menu that I really want to try. Like the cheese covered ham sandwich in the case that was waiting to be toasted in the oven. I forgot what it was called but I'm getting this sucker the next time I go. I opted for the poached egg croissant sandwich with avocado, bacon, and arugula aioli.


The ingredients were just amazing. This poached egg was one of the best I've seen. It was like a mozzarella ball, beautiful. I've been trying to master my poached eggs at home and am having the toughest time with it. If you have ideas on how to do them perfectly, please let me know.

The bacon was thick, perfectly cooked, and just the right amount of pepper. Lovely.

I tried to actually eat this like a sandwich but when the yolk exploded all over my FACE, I opted for the knife and fork. Eating a sandwich with a knife and fork isn't very manly. I felt like I was eating a watercress sandwich and sipping tea at The Finer Thing's Club. It was a mighty fine sandwich BUT it was also $8. I don't know why this price seemed high for me. Maybe cause it was rather small. I left still hungry.

I also grabbed one of their espresso eclairs for The Wife. Like coffee and a donut all in one. Two of her favorite things. I never got a bite but it smelled great.



Sparrow Bakery
50 SE Scott St
Bend, Oregon 97702
United States