An out of state visitor to the Bend Oregon Restaurants blog emailed and asked for some advice on dinner options for three days in July. So I started thinking of where I'd go if I had only three days in Bend and was looking for dinner for two adults and an 8 yr old child with a preferred budget of around $12-$20 per entree.
Considering the child...Baltazar's is out of the question. If you have any thoughts (not about Baltazar's), feel free to post or email and I'll send them along to our soon to be visitor. Following is what I'd recommend but if you ask me tomorrow, I might have a different plan.
Friday night I'd take it fairly easy and hit up Big Island Kona Mix Plate for their prime rib special:
This photo shows the 10 ounce prime rib with some Shoyu Spare Ribs which were also the special for that Friday. Prime Rib is always the Friday special but I'll take anything Shoyu style. Wednesday's are the Shoyu Chicken which is insanely good. Slow cooked over night, the chicken and these ribs had the meat just falling off the bone. So tender, just like me. If you go for just the prime rib I believe the price is $14 for the 8 ounce and a couple bucks more for the 10 ounce. If you do get the prime rib, ask them to slice it for you since you eat with plastic ware. For the prices that they are charging, I'd really like to get away from the plastic ware and the styrofoam to-go containers.
They do have their full menu on their myspace page...don't even get me started on how silly it is to JUST have the myspace page and abandon their actual site. Not everyone has a myspace account. Anyway, the menu is accomodating for adults and kids. Opt for the Potato Mac as one of your sides.
For dessert I would definitely swing by the Blacksmith for the dessert sampler for two (it'll be plenty for all three of you) and a Spanish coffee:
On Saturday I would totally do the tourist move and go to Deschutes. Their daily specials menu is awesome but if nothing on the specials is right for you, I recommend the French Dip for only $8:
For dessert walk a block down to Goodies for some treats.
On Sunday I would head over to the west side for Baldy's to get some of the best ribs I've ever had:
You won't have room for dessert. There you have it. Locals, let me know if you agree / disagree / don't care for tourists / want to dance / like me / whatever.
I think you may have inadvertently started a meme... ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's a tough decision. Where are they visiting from?
A reader submitted the following comment via email after several attempts to use the comment form:
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if they're open yet -- but instead of
Kona, I'd send them up into the Cascades for one late
afternoon/evening. They can eat at either Cultus Lake
or Elk Lake. The food isn't great but you can't beat
the setting... Alternatively they could get sandwiches
from Sage Cafe and picnic along the Deschutes or
Tumalo Creek.
(1) Pls don't promote Kona UNLESS they change to proper plates - because one meal there is enough to damage the environment forever!
ReplyDelete(2) Suggestions: Soba Noodles Shop, McMenamins, heck even the pizza in Costco is so good!
Zydeco needs to be in there. FOR. SURE.
ReplyDeleteI bring all of my visitors to the Westside Cafe for breakfast...can't beat those pastries!
ReplyDeleteFrom the guy who started this--
ReplyDeleteHi, all. Thanks for the recommendations. Maybe we should have added a couple of nights to our stay with all of these great places to try. BOR's comments were particularly prescient. We're New Englanders (Cape Cod, now) who have done some extensive traveling and dining and are preparing for a whirlwind tour of Oregon (15 days, Portland, Hood River, Bend, Newport). BOR's blog is a godsend; wish we had something similar for all the places we've been. I'll try to send an "after trip" report of what we found on our visit.
Thanks, again, good folk....
Gotta agree with Zydeco for dinner. For breakfast or lunch McKay Cottage should be on the list. Just voted best breakfast, best burger and best service by Gusto readers. Well deserved, really good food and their wait staff is phenomenal. Get a table on their front lawn it is just heaven at this time of year. Oh, have a chocolate chip cookie, they're to die for.
ReplyDeleteKona Mix Plate is the next best thing to being on the actual island! Great people and nice enviroment to set the mood for Hawaiian style awesome food..So what if they serve on picnic plates and plastic ware....Quit cryin and start munchin, this food breaka ur mouth!!!
ReplyDeleteZydeco for sure.
ReplyDeleteI also hate the Kona place's stupid plates... It just feels so cheap.
Victorian for breakfast without a doubt... you have to have the eggs beni.
Blacksmith and without a doubt, deschutes.
I take all my friends to Deschutes when they visit me.
I heard the Kona Mix Plate has a new website. www.konamixplate.com and they are changing their plates to be "more environmentally friendly" ALOHA Big Island Kona Mix Plate, and they DELIVER TOO!! Mahalo guys!! -Hawaiian Superman
ReplyDeleteYOU HAVE TO EAT at the VILLAGE BAKERY just off of Century/14th Street! The best pastries, bread, and sandwiches I've found from here to New York. A quaint place with tables inside and out with great coffee! The caramel apple tart is beyond words and you will never find a more moist flavorful scone - look for the lemon blueberry!! Everyone is friendly and the owner is super nice. Definitely our favorite morning treat. Don't forget to take home any bread, yum!
ReplyDelete