By Katy Budge
Beer, Beer, Beer
To say that Bend is a beer-centric town is an understatement! Most are concentrated in the downtown area (such as Bend Brewing and the original location of Deschutes), but it seems that every neighborhood has its own lineup of taps. Among our favs on the Eastside were Sunriver Brewing, 10 Barrel Brewing, and the tiny Van Henion tucked off Empire Avenue.
If your group can’t decide on beer or food, check out suds hubs like Midtown Yacht Club (no, there’s actually not a boat in sight but you’ll still be happy docking at one of the communal tables). There’s a big selection of local brews, plus several food trucks.
Another good way to enjoy all the major food groups is to check out destination streets such as Galveston Avenue on Bend’s Westside. You’ll find everything from dumplings to bagels, tacos to eggs Benedicts, margaritas to beer, beer, and more beer. Sunriver and 10 Barrel have locations here, as does El Sancho Taco Shop, which ended up being a repeat stop on our Bend tour thanks to their fresh margies and great food. (There’s an Eastside El Sancho as well, and I must admit that I stole their candied yam with piloncillo recipe for Thanksgiving.)
Fresh margaritas are also served up at Hola!, a Mexican/Peruvian restaurant which has several locations in Bend and nearby Sunriver.
Small Towns for the Win!
Parkdale, Oregon
The search for a good campsite (which ended up being Toll Bridge Park in Parkdale) led us to this burg of just over 300 inhabitants that has not just a microbrewery, but also a barbecue joint, a biscuit shop, AND an ice cream shop! We hit up Solera Brewing and Apple Valley BBQ, but missed out on biscuits and ice cream, which was probably for the best.
On the way back to camp, we also stopped by Kiyokawa Orchards for some apples and pears. One of the many, many fruit orchards nestled in the shadow of Mt. Hood, the roots of this family-owned operation date back to 1911.
Cascade Locks, Oregon
The original campground we’d planned on near the Columbia River wasn’t floating our boat, but luckily we stumbled upon the Marine Park Campground – not just near the river, but on it! Better yet, it was easy-peasy walking distance to the town of Cascade Locks and its Thunder Island Brewing Company and Gorges Beer Company. The former sported great views of the Columbia and the Washington side of the Gorge; the latter forever changed my opinion of onion rings. And no, there isn’t a picture of the delectably light and crispy rings because … well … evidently I inhaled them in some sort of reverie.
Stevenson, Washington
Another small town find was Clark & Lewie’s Travelers Rest Saloon & Grill, located just across the river in Stevenson, WA. Its waterfront location offered a sweeping vista of the Columbia, and I blissfully tucked into righteous bowls of smoked potato salad and smoked salmon chowder.
All in all, this “To Bend and Beyond” was an appetizing itinerary I’d definitely repeat again!
(Be cure to check out some of my other “Forks in the Road” posts!)