Road Food

Home Again For A While

We took that 4 week road trip and stayed home for just a couple of weeks before spending another week away, so we will probably be chillin’ at home for awhile. Last year for this trip up to Washington and back for a family 4th of July picnic, we stopped at the same place in downtown Bend for lunch, but this time we chose two different locations for the midday meal.

On the way up we drove right through a busy Bend and stopped at the next town north, Redmond, where we ended up at an eclectic little place called One Street Down Café. The temperature was in the middle seventies and we sat outside to eat under the trees in the side yard. I had a Cuban that was made using a savory french toast and Donna had a half and half ham & cheese sandwich and chicken tortilla soup.

On the way back we drove right through a busy Bend and stopped at the next town south, La Pine, at a place called Cinco de Mayo Mexican Restaurant. We had a hard time finding a parking spot because there was a Porsche Club event that was having lunch here too. Fortunately we were seated and order taken before everyone that was there in a P Car hadn’t arrived yet. We split some chicken fajitas that were served with delicious, made fresh on site, tortillas.

Burgerland

We had a long day, slightly over 300 miles, but pretty fun. A practically 2 for one Roadside America stop, a total flummoxing of 2 other sites and found the 3 geocaches we looked for. Trouble was we got to Paris during there rush hour and our hotel required a funky U-turn to get to. With that traffic and our tired minds it was kind of frustrating.

But all was solved with a burger and the best fries in the world for dinner. That’s my burger on the right, Donna’s is off camera to the left, and the fries, a small order, were to share.

46,000 Fruit Trees

Another 280 mile day consisting of The Dalles, OR to Monroe, WA and another day of more traffic than expected in a few spots. Don’t ask me about Sultan, WA…

We did manage to take a very pleasant and fun road from Yakima to Ellensburg. WA-821 runs right along the river through a canyon filled with 24 miles of sweeper turns and beautiful scenery.

If you have a hankering for Italian food you definitely can’t go wrong at the Ellensburg Pasta Company.

Just south of Yakima, while driving through thousands of apple and cherry trees the LadyBug ticked past its forty-six thousandth mile.

Small Road Trip

Off to the Great State of Washington. We are heading to the World Famous 4th of July Picnic of Les & Joanie Gilbert, something we haven’t been to for the past 5 years. Today’s leg was around 280 miles and for the first 100 and the last 80 of those miles it was smooth sailing, but the middle section from south of Bend to where US197 splits off was crowded, slow and quite a contrast to the end segments.

We did stop in downtown Bend for lunch and had a great meal at a place called The Point. We split an order of beer battered fish. But the real highlight was something that Donna saw on a chalk board inside, Fried Apples. It might have been advertised as a desert but we had it as an appetizer. The half dozen slices tasted like a sublime fried apple pie and were served with a caramel dipping sauce and some whipped cream.

For the fun of it and to break up the drive we snagged 3 Post Office photos. There were a couple more we were close to, but on a Friday their parking lots were too full to even find a spot to park in so that I could get car and Post Office in the same frame. We may try and stop at a couple few on the way home next Tuesday.

2018 Jumbo Road Trip Food

We try to eat adventurously when on the road and so for our memory and your pleasure, I kept track of the good ones. This way if we are ever back in the same town again we know where to stop or if you ever find yourselves in one of these towns you can find a good meal. We were 14 days on the road out to Lake Tahoe and ate nine note worthy meals and it took us 11 days coming back and ran into four (one of which was a return trip to a breakfast spot in Albuquerque.)

Tuesday, May 1st, lunch in Kosciusko, MS – Old Trace Grill – Brian, Patty Melt and Donna, Grilled Shrimp

Wednesday, May 2nd, breakfast in Vicksburg, MS – The Mad Baker – Brian, breakfast biscuit and Donna, 2 eggs, cheese grits and bacon

Thursday, May 3rd, lunch in Henderson, TX – Debbie’s Bistro – Split, grilled cheese and green chili and rice soup

Friday, May 4th, breakfast in Tyler, TX – The Diner – Donna Eggs and Bacon and Brian, Grilled Banana French Toast

Monday, May 7th, breakfast in Albuquerque, NM – Central Grill and Coffee House – Donna, Eggs Benedict and Brian, Waffle Dogs

Tuesday, May 8th, lunch in Madrid, NM – Jezebel Soda Fountain – Both, Breakfast Burito

Thursday, May 10th, dinner in Green River, UT – Tamarisk Restaurant – Split Pork Chops

Saturday, May 12th, lunch (breakfast) in Winnemucca, NV – The Griddle – Donna, Eggs Benedict and Brian, Pecan Encrusted French Toast

Sunday, May 13th, lunch in Carson City, NV – Scoups – Brian, Vegetarian Chili and Donna, Chicken Spaetzle with a scoop of ice cream for dessert.

Sunday, May 20th, dinner in Beatty, NV – KC’s Outpost – The food was OK, but the homemade cake for dessert was worth it.

Tuesday, May 22nd, lunch outside Holbrook, AZ – Painted Desert Visitor Center Cafe – Donna, Lamb Soup and Brian, Navajo Taco.

Wednesday, May 23rd, breakfast in Albuquerque, NM – Central Grill and Coffee House – Donna, Eggs Benedict and Brian, Huevos Rancheros

Wednesday, May 30th, lunch in Milledgeville, GA – The Brick – Split Spinach Artichoke Dip and a small Sausage, Pepperoni, Black Olives & Spinach Pizza