You can't call yourself a Bend local without paying respects to the place that started it all…read more Yeah, the wait can get long on summer weekends, but grabbing a pint of Black Butte Porter and a pub burger at the downtown house just never gets old. Always solid, no matter how much the town grows.

These days it's getting harder to find a veggie burger that isn't full of chemicals and trying to…read moresimulate "meat"; so we were thrilled when we came across Deschutes that had a veggie burger that was made from jackfruit and pinto beans! Yay! It was the best veggie burger my husband has had in a long time... he added avocado and vegan cheese (which did make it a bit pricey). Awesome that you can do many different sides including regular fries, Cajun fries, salad, chips, and more options... do wish they had onion rings however. I got the hummus plate which was good but not the best I've had. It came with a baguette which was more like garlic bread so I would have, personally, liked pita more. It also had a few olives on the side with a red pepper type sauce. I got it with no pickled onions. They had a great beer selection and even a few tasty non-alcoholic beers. Also had kombucha on tap which was delicious (from Humm). Everyone working was super sweet and the vibes were relaxed and casual. Our food came out quick and exactly how we ordered it. They also seemed to have spaces for larger parties, too. They also have a little gift shop if you wanted to pick anything from shirts, to bottle openers, to beer candles and more! Would come back again!

We were staying the night at McMenamins in Bend while traveling from California to Washington, and…read moreone of the highlights of our stay was hunting down the speakeasy bar, The Broom Closet. Half the fun is searching the property for it--and don't worry, I won't spoil where we found it! Once inside, it truly felt like a hidden gem. The space is cozy and intimate, with comfortable places to sit and a full bar that feels tucked away from the rest of the property. It was especially festive during the holidays, with Christmas drink specials adding to the charm. I ordered the NA Merry Cherry, which was gingery, slightly spicy, and super refreshing--a great non-alcoholic option. My wife had The Countess and said it was absolutely delicious. Between the atmosphere, the drinks, and the fun of discovering it, The Broom Closet was a total win. If you're ever staying at McMenamins Bend, make sure you take the time to search for The Broom Closet--it's well worth the adventure!

Such a cool little addition to the Old Saint Francis hotel. We were staying at the hotel and…read moreencouraged to explore and go find the Broom Closet. Once we did find it, we enjoyed a cocktail and sitting in a quiet nook. It's definitely not a large space or a loud space, but something more to be savored and enjoyed. The bartender was extremely kind and engaging. Even if you aren't staying at the hotel, I would highly recommend coming to check this place out.

Having a good IPA right next to Deschutes River was really cool. I enjoyed the outside area with…read moreplenty of space and seating. The inside looked spacious as well. Super convenient location and a great place to grab a drink before our dinner reservations.

We went there after visiting Silver River Resort, we went there to see the light show and after was…read morerecommended to go to Bend Brewing Company for some good fish & chips. My wife and daughter ordered the fish & chips and both were very disappointed with there order, because the fish batter was not crispy and more doughy, the French fries was tasty it didn't come out hot but was good & tasty. I had a chili and corn bread and it came out Luke warm which even the cheese didn't melt, I asked. The waitress was very nice and offered to heat it up and got me a new one. The corn bread was cold dried and hard which was not very tasty. The waitress brought out another chili & corn bread which was hotter, but by that time I was pretty full of the pull pork nachos. The Pull Pork Nacho was good and the portion was a good side. The beers were terrific and worth ordering and they gave a good variety of beers to choose from. The waitress notice that I hardly ate the chili and took it off the bill and apologized about the cold chili. Service is outstanding

First of all- I just moved here and I keep hearing this is "the bad part of town" and no, it's not…read more We passed one unhoused person who was just minding his own business. Don't be afraid to come here! Lots of food truck options which is cool. My friend and I each got zero proof cocktails. She got the sweet hemptation and liked it so much she got a second one. I got the funky cold Modena which was tart and tasty. And we got to see Miz Cracker from RuPaul's Drag Race!! So fun! The drag show was high energy and a great time.

I'll preface by stating that this establishment is a bar with a food truck lot. It is not the…read moreDogwood downtown cocktail bar that is the subject of the prior hundreds of reviews. The owners closed up shop downtown and created this new place on 2nd Street in Bend's Central District. It's now called Dogwood at the Pine Shed. Why Yelp won't create a new, distinct page for the Pine Shed is beyond me. That said, the Pine Shed is a fine place for drinks and food truck fare. The open, spacious 'shed' has plenty of varied seating surrounding a nice bar with quite a few tables outside on the patio. Mobility-challenged folks have choices too. For those worried about 2nd Street's reputation for sketchiness, don't be. Revitalization efforts by the city have transformed the area. At times of good weather, with the big doors open, the Pine Shed is quite a nice spot to relax. Cocktails were the raison d'etre for the former incarnation of Dogwood and that emphasis transfers here to the Pine Shed. I particularly like their versions of a margarita but the other cocktails are uniformly good too. The beer tap offerings are not so spectacular, however, with only four (and a cider). On one visit shortly after they opened for business, two beer taps were tapped out, which can be chalked up to growing pains. In any case, the Pine Shed can't be seriously regarded as a tap house in the style of the many others in Bend (On Tap, River's Place, Crosscut, The Lot, The Podski, Midtown Yacht Club, etc.). Come for the cocktails. They do offer low ABV and zero ABV drinks. At present, the food truck choices are abundant and pretty decent. Being trucks/carts, and thus mobile and prone to relocating themselves, I'll not list them here. Best to check the Pine Shed's webpage for current offerings and then go to the relevant Yelp page for reviews. Parking is street only, no parking lot. The city has completed construction on 2nd Street so there are more spots available than before.

Bad news. Good news…read more Bad news first is this: The Drake has been sold to new owners and TONIGHT, APRIL 12, WILL BE THE LAST DAY OF SERVICE at The Drake with the original owner and the current menu. So if you're hankering for the mac n cheese or shrimp n grits or veg burger or any of the menu items, after today they are history. I started eating at The Drake in their first week of business and had many, many, many meals there over the years but things change and so, it seems, has the popularity of The Drake. Now the good news. The new owners are a trio and one of them is also one of the owners of the inestimable Ken's Artisan Pizza in Portland that opened its' Bend location last year. (Go! Even if you have to stand in line for 45 minutes like I did.) The first news of this ownership change was that they would keep the name and current focus of The Drake. But local television news reports that after The Drake closes today it will be reimagined with a new name and design and menu. The opening for the new place is currently said to be Memorial Day weekend. I don't live in Bend anymore but there is still a family home there and so I visit on occasion and knowing a "Ken's" owner is involved in the new enterprise may make me brave the wicked-bad downtown parking to try this new place. In the meantime, I remember how fun and delicious it could be to eat at The Drake.

Very nice place we were trying to do something out of the norm because this was our first year…read morevisiting Ben without kids. They had a nice happy hour and very good drinks on it. They were simple and well-made and relatively strong. Very cute little location seating wasn't an issue, even though we didn't make reservation reservations ahead of time Just overall a very solid little spot, we got some sliders and some other little sides and everything was put together well and price right. Definitely acquired a place so probably good. We didn't bring the kids.

Belgians in Bend…read more Truly tasty brews, each uniquely distinct for a great beer experience. Beautiful wood decor and vibe. Food menu better than average quality for a brewery. Service is so-so no frills quick greet, quick to order, quick to leave. Riverfront views (in the distance over the parking lot lol) from the large outdoor patio. Plenty of seats. This small town is lucky to have this as a religious stop for beer. No monk sightings.

I would say I enjoyed the food more than the beer. The beer was okay but the food was incredible…read more The soup with focaccia bread was fantastic and the frites cone hit the spot. Got the flight to try different beers and nothing did it for me. It's not that they weren't drinkable, they just weren't memorable. Solid 3.5 stars. 4 for the food and 3 for the beer

I only stopped in a for a drink but it was really good. The vibe was also chill. Good music, lots…read moreof TVs with sports on and it was decorated so cute for Halloween. I can't comment on the food but it looked like pretty standard bar food. Worth checking out if you find yourself in the area.

In Bend for work and staying nearby, I had to check out River Pig Saloon, and it delivered. The…read moreplace was packed for a Wednesday night, loud and rowdy in the best way, with western night and line dancing going on. The decor fully leans in, big buffalo mount and plenty of wall trophies, plus TVs everywhere. Even with the crowd, the two-person staff were hustling, my food came out fast, and my waitress checked on me twice before it even hit the table. I grabbed a Stagg Jr 2.5 oz pour at a very reasonable price along with wings and curly fries, hot, crispy, and exactly what I needed. Plenty of bar seating, tables, and high tops in the back, but come early or plan on the upstairs. Solid Bend stop, great energy, strong drinks, and a team that works hard to keep it moving.

Just tried J Dub for the first time. It was excellent! As a family of 6 it can be hard to eat out…read moreand not break the bank. J Dub had great food and very reasonable prices, especially the kids meals which were a great size and only $6! I also loved that they serve breakfast all day and I got the Cowboy breakfast for dinner and it was amazing!

Great selection of creative yet classic breakfast lunch and dinner options, appealing to the brunch…read morecrowd yet also such great vibes you could bring your grandmother! Parking is tricky but the blocks are short. Connor was a perfect host! We both loved the cowboy breakfast, eyeing the new special pork belly tacos. Will be back!

Hidden gem. We walked in for the first time, greeted with great recommendations and even better…read moreservice. The ambiance was cool, very welcoming and everyone was happy to recommend their favorites. We noticed that there were Argentinian items on the menu and my boyfriend, who is Argentinian, was super excited to talk to them about it. They told us all about their story and the owner who is still working even into his 80's because he just loves what he does. It was interesting to see the incorporation of the culture into this type of food, and it was incredibly delicious too! They gave us some chimichurri with bread and the dulce de leche cheesecake! Which were both incredibly good. I had the chipotle mango sausage on top of mac n cheese with grilled onions, bacon, and a side of chimichurri and refused to leave anything on my plate. Mac and cheese was great, especially with the chimichurri and the chipotle mango was great spice level, it was a light spice. The choripan special was great too. My friends got some regular sausages on buns and those were well sized and topped for the price. Great for families. Dog friendly in the heated and enclosed patio area, too! Huge menu selection if you're adventurous and looking to try something new, or just sticking to the classics. We would revisit and recommend to anyone looking to try something new.

We were hungry and we needed something unique, fun and fast. This place seemed to fit all the…read morequalifications. A fun, up-to-date, chill vibe kind of place. We went in and were served immediately. So many options. Reindeer sausage banger or maybe a burnt end banger? How about an alligator banger or maybe a simple chicken and basil sausage banger. Next...add toppings. Soooo many toppings. Grilled onions? Maybe some tomatoes? How about peppers? Next, add a sauce. Garlic aioli, chimmichuri, mustard, ketchup, cheese? Ohhh...I forgot about starters. Poutine fries to start. We didn't wait long and the waitress gave us chimmichuri and fresh bread to start. Then came the poutine fries. Amazing. French fries in a gravy sauce with grilled onions and melted cheese. Then the bangers came. I ordered the basil chicken with grilled onions, tomatoes with aioli sauce. Hot and fresh. Tasted amazing. The buns were so fresh and soft. I will never think bangers are boring again. This place was SUPER!

Our youngest son got married in Bend, 7 years ago, and I'm doing an event in Redmond, so we decided…read moreto stay here and also, we're doing a pilgrimage on St. Francis' 800th Anniversary. Staying right across the street from the church, this was an easy decision! While we never actually sat down for a meal here, we did have a couple of take out orders. The first was a hamburger for dinner. The burger was delicious once I got back to our room to eat it. It was an extremely busy Friday night and I was warned that there would be quite a wait. Actually, it was only a half hour. Customer service was excellent. The second was a Denver Omelette and hash browned potatoes that we shared for breakfast the next morning. It was a delicious meal. Again, service was excellent. I even declined an offer to have the meal delivered to our room Negatives: 1. There was no fridge or microwave in the room. I was awaken about 4:00am, I thought my husband was taking a shower, I felt him, so I know it wasn't him. It must have been a loud fan! 2. We couldn't look outside the windows, we have our drapes closed all of our stay, the outside seats for the restaurant were right outside, and it can get noisy during Happy Hour. 3. The sink is too small, none of the glass shelves are fit for my Waterpik. Positives: 1. The pillows were perfect. The TV channels were right on my show. 2. The temperature of the room was good, no drafts. 3. The night light also goes on, when all the lights are off. That's a bonus, because we always forget to bring our night light. 4. I love the colors, decor, ceiling fan light of the room. 5. In the morning, Fresh coffee was available on a table right outside our door. If I wasn't reading on the back of their menu, I would not have known or heard about their St. Francis Turkish style bath. If we have more time in the day & night, we could have done some tours around the building in and out. There's always a next time!

My cousin told me about this place, and so I decided to have dinner here. She did not do me…read morewrong..... The ambience is amazing. It's in an old school, and they did a wonderful job of just making the place Absolutely beautiful. They have a full bar, with lots of beers and craft cocktails. I retired from drinking a long time ago, so I just had a soda. My server was Cassie, and she was very friendly and helpful...... I was there at 5 PM on a Tuesday, and they were already very busy. They can get extremely busy, so patience is definitely a virtue here. I decided to go with the jR's jumbo deluxe burger. Bacon, cheddar, and a fried egg. The burger also comes with. lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles & secret sauce. Instead of french fries, I asked for the Cajun tots. The food comes, and dear lord, that burger was big. I almost had to unhinge my jaw to eat it. I asked for the burger, medium, and that's how it came. Just the right amount of pink. The burger was a good quality, burger, tender, and with the good quality, bacon and cheese, it was rich. The veggies provided a nice "pop" of freshness, that cut the richness a bit. It was an amazing burger. The egg was done perfectly, with that beautiful yolk, just oozing down into the burger. I had asked if the Cajun tots were spicy, and told, "not really." They were delicious, but they were a bit spicy. Toward the top end of what I care for in spice. They came with a very nice peppercorn ranch that helped cut the spice. I wasn't going to have dessert, until I saw the "mystery dessert" on the menu. Intrigued, I asked Cassie what it was, and she said it was a peanut butter hopscotch pie. OK... how could I turn that down??? I put my order in. As I mentioned, the place was very busy, and 15 minutes later I still didn't have my dessert. I needed to get going, so At that point, I just asked them to take it off my meal. They not only took it off my check, they gave me a slice in a to go box anyway. That was very nice. They didn't have to do that The peanut butter and chocolate played very well together, the peanut butter was creamy, I loved the little "crunchies on top", and it also came with a chocolate syrup to drizzle over the pie. Just a totally amazing meal. For all I got, and for the high-quality, the price was extremely reasonable. I would definitely come back. Thanks.