Eugene Restaurants

Want your fish and chips in newspaper, Brit style? Well, probably won't happen here, but the quality and flavor will not let you down. Newman's is essentially a fish market, but a few years ago they opened up a walkup fish and chips window. And is it ever popular!! And they have covered outdoor seating so you won't get wet while dining.
Newman's is known as having the best and freshest fish in town having been in existence for many decades.
After enjoying your repast go inside and browse the fish counter. Everything is seasonal and the staff know fish. Ask them anything about fish and they know all about it.
Also, you can select from about 100 kinds of bulk cheeses, and they'll cut it for you right off the wheel.
Wines, pasta, salsa, sauces, and just about any little thing you might want to fancy up your meal, you can find on their shelves.

Favorite Dish: Halibut and chips or salmon and chips. Take your pick. Piping hot right out of the fryer.

My wife and I courted at this restaurant 29 years ago. We would meet here for lunch and wine and dessert, all for about $20 at the time. Our favorite sandwich was the Chicken Churasco, a grilled chicken breast with a spicy guacamole suace on a home baked bun. For dessert we had the house carrot cake, which is to die for. We managed to secret the recipe out of our favorite waiter.
Today the place is under the management of a real Italian and the food and service are one of the best in town. You may also stay overnight as the place doubles as a B&B.
These days we like to go there on special occasions, or drop into the bar for a light snack after a ball game. Also, on Sundays we take advantage of their brunch.

Favorite Dish: Hard to choose an entre from the evening menu. But the Chicky San is still offered for lunch and in the bar. However, the biggest draw are the desserts. At any time there are at least 10 beautiful and delicious desserts on display in the lobby just begging you to partake. And of course the famous carrot cake is still a main item. You can't go wrong here. Enjoy.
On a recent visit for lunch Mrs. B and I enjoyed a very delightful time. Mrs. B had lasgane with a meat sauce and I had cheese filled pasta (I forget the name) with a a sauce that was dynamite. For dessert Mrs. had a berry pie and I had Creme Bulee. Wonderful!!! This place is a winner.

The Ring of Fire, altough the sound of the name is a bit gosh, is one of the best restaurants in Eugene. It and it's comapanion restaurant Mikelas has a menu that will satisfy anyone wanting an Asian meal.

Favorite Dish: We always order the Peanut Curry Noodles. It has noodles, carrots, broccoli and your choice of chicken, beef or tofu. Never fails to satisfy. Another favorite is the three wild mushroom dish. This is available seasonably and is absolutely luscious. The bar also features regional microbeers and exotic drinks.

This is a chain restaurant, but a small chain, being only in about a dozen states. The original was founded in Portland many years ago. Eugene's is number two and has been here for at least 30 years, although is was forced to change locations a few years ago. This is a restaurant that has used the same menu for all its time. Only the prices have changed. Pancakes, omelletes, exotic pancakes, french toasts, just about anything you can make for breakfast you wil find here. Beware on weekends, especially if there is a U of O atheltic event, the wait can be long. But it is worth it. Come back in ten years and you will see the same wait persons. I mean this place is rock steady!!!

Favorite Dish: The buttermilk pancakes are to die for. I've never tasted any like it. Order a full platter with extra crispy bacon and you will be in heaven.

Cafe Yumm! has me addicted. They serve healthy, simple, and quick meals from three locations. They offer selections for vegans/vegetarians and carnivores. Their prices are low and you can fill up quickly on a deceivingly small-looking bowl of jazzed up rice.

Favorite Dish: Try a deluxe original yumm bowl, a tofu/chicken teriyaki stick, or a salad like the secret Asian man.

A busy place. On weekends expect to wait for 15 to 30 minutes. Bar is crowded and busy. Wait staff is very pleasant and always available to fill the glass or take the plates away. Presentation is impeccable. Noise level is moderate. Watch the cooks while waiting in the lobby. Makes the time pass quickly.

Favorite Dish: Full-service restaurant and bar open for breakfast, lunch and a complete dinner menu until 1 am. Serving unique breakfast items, authentic Italian and Asian pastas, organic coffee, homemade gelato and specialty cocktails. Full bar. Organic and locally grown foods.

While this store cannot compete in any way with Harrod's Food Court in London, it does a pretty good job for our little city.
The Market of Choice combines the convenience of a standard super market, and has the added feature of stocking earth friendly, body friendly, natural and organic products. They also specialize in ready to take out meals, such as meats, salads, sushi, pizza, and sandwiches plus a full scale bakery and a large wine and beer selection.
Prices are higher here but it is a fun place to shop. Sort like there's a surprise around every corner.

Favorite Dish: I like the pizza for take out. They have their own varieties which include traditional and exotic such as Thai, peanut chicken.
Their produce section is excellent with a wide choice of conventional and organic products. The take out salads and entres always offer plenty of choice at a reasonable price.

Mekala's is perhaps the longest running and best known Thai restaurant in town. They are now located near the University in the Old Ford's Restaurant, formerly TheTree House on Franklin Blvd.
Mekala's offers a full range of Thai cuisine from soups, to currys to pastas. Service is good, presentation is OK. Probably need reservations on weekends and game days.
Originally, the building was Ford's Drive-in a long running restaurant by the U of O campus. They were known for their fabulous cheeseburgers featuring sharp Tillamook (Oregon's favorite) cheese. It was one of those drive-ins where you drive into a stall and order on an intercom and the food is delivered on a tray. Very 1960's. All that was missing was the rollerskates.
Then Ford's closed in the 70's and became the Treehouse Restaurant. Run by a local family it soon became very popular. One of their passions was dinner theatre. We had attended many productions featuring local artists doing show tunes and light comedy. Over time, the family cashed in and sold to Mekalas. I do think this location is charmed as no restaurant has failed to be a success here.

Favorite Dish: Two favorite dishes are Peanut Curry Noodles and Tiger Cries. The former is a noodle dish with carrots, broccoli and your choice of chicken, or tofu. mixed with a peanut curry sauce. Tiger Cries is stir fried beef served as a salad with a very hot dressing. Indeed, it makes you cry.