Last Oregon food report! Finally! This took, what… three-plus months?

On our way home to California, we stopped in Reedsport, OR for lunch. It was a coastal town, and pretty charming. While using the iPhone to search for decent places to eat (what did we do before Internet phones? We just saw a place and stopped, is what), we found that the Harbor Light Family Restaurant was nearby and had received a few good reviews. In fact, we had just passed it mere minutes before. A quick turnaround and we came upon the small eatery.

It was the kind of place seniors would go to for a quiet bite to eat when hankering for some homecooked meals not actually cooked at home. In fact, late in our meal, a senior couple came in and, upon being seated, the husband started to read the menu to his wife because she couldn’t read it herself. It was so warming to see, I remember smiling.

But enough of the feelgoods, right? On to the food!

For an appetizer, I ordered a small bowl of clam chowder. So good was this chowder, my dominant memory of this fine soup is that t was better than Mo’s Annex. It was creamy, the potatoes were smooth, and was delightfully rich. I told the waitress that their chowder was much better than Mo’s, and instead of saying thanks, she said, “Oh, I know. I’ve been told that before.” I love it.

I ordered the clam fritters breakfast. I had never had clam fritters before, but c’mon… I had to try it. I was close to the coast, so seafood needed to be had. They were quite good. The clams were definitely present in a very obvious, flavorful way, and the fritter was moist. It was different, but good. They went well with the eggs, which I had ordered over-medium. I like over-easy, but was advised (by a Denny’s waitress, not that that lessens her credibility, but it was at Denny’s where the food ain’t that good) that in restaurants, over-easy has runny white, while over-medium is just runny yolks. When my plate came, the eggs were cooked hard all the way through. I mentioned this to the waitress and she replaced my eggs… AND let me keep the over-cooked eggs. In the end, I had my runny yolks to go with my clam fritters.

My wife at the BLT with onion rings. Everything was reportedly good (I didn’t get to sample the sandwich, but I did get to have an onion ring). My wife often has trouble remembering foods she likes, and from where, but the onion rings made a huge impression on her. The breading was light and fluffy, reminiscent of tempura without actually being tempura. They were slightly greasy, but not overly so. Overall, they were light in texture. My wife loved them.

I also got to try her chocolate milkshake. In the words of my wife, “Soooooooooooo good.” Unfortunately, my notes for the milkshake end with that. Just take my word for it.

The service was friendly. Very typical of a diner, where you feel welcome and the staff is friendly but in a casual way. It was a great way to top of our Oregon restaurant experiences. When in Reedsport, I will return.

That said, this review’s ratings guide is as follows:

	Drive out of your way to go here. Do it.
	When in Reedsport, eat here. Do it.
	If deciding between this and a few other places, lean towards here.
	Meh. Just… meh.
	Before eating here, replace your stomach with one of iron to protect you from the forces of evil.

I give the Harbor Light Family Restaurant 4 stars. We had a great time eating lunch in a casual setting with a friendly waitress, good food, excellent clam chowder, a great milkshake, and onion rings that made my wife smile.

Boy, I’m getting behind in this whole Oregon chronicle, aren’t I?

A quick qualifier for this review: when I opened the draft, lo and behold… no notes. I thought I’d written down notes for this review but there were none to be found. So, let’s see how my memory serves. If my memory can’t justify a criticism, I’ll be sure to leave it out.

Mo’s is a pretty popular food attraction in Oregon. So popular, in fact, they have two locations in Newport that are right across the street from each other in order to handle the volume of customers. There’s Mo’s, and there’s Mo’s Annex, which is the one we attended.

(There are six locations in Oregon, altogether)

It looks like your typical on-the-pier seafood joint. Because it is. And I assumed it was popular because of its food.

Most everyone in my party had the clam chowder in a bread bowl, the chowder being a Mo’s staple. I, on the other hand, had a cup of chowder to accompany my main dish: baked oysters.

The chowder was decent. Plenty of clams, potatoes, and veggies. The problem was, the potatoes were gritty. They weren’t smooth at all, and it very much distracted from the creaminess. Perhaps it was the variety of potato, or perhaps it was just how they were cooked, but in the end the overall chowder just had a grittiness to it that I didn’t like because of them ‘taters. It was tasty enough, but it wasn’t anything that stood out from the other clam chowders I’ve at other places (except for, you know, the gritty texture). I didn’t understand why it was so famous.

The baked oysters were plump and had a good flavor. Being baked – and thus, heated – the oysters weren’t bright or light in flavor, something I’m used to associating with the visual of naked, unseasoned oysters. Instead, the flavor was a little darker and less sweet (if memory serves). The accompanying melted butter made the oysters a little richer than they would have otherwise been, but at the same time the two didn’t seem to fit together. I have a feeling that the butter would have been a better accompaniment for naked, baked clams. Perhaps lemon would’ve been better suited for the baked oysters. In any case, they were fine without the butter.

(I’m keeping in mind that I prefer naked, unseasoned oysters to be raw and chilled, so I’m attempting to review what was in front of me, not to review my preferences)

The prices weren’t too bad. They’re pretty typical for what you’d expect from a seafood joint on the pier. In fact, considering the portions of food and that their seafood is most likely fresh (I know the oysters were), the prices are very, very good. Unfortunately, however, I didn’t think it was anything special. Perhaps if I’d just had the oysters, I would have rated this place a bit better, but the clam chowder did not live up to its fame.

The service was friendly. Our waitress accidentally brought food for my friend’s two-year-old that we didn’t order, and she let us keep it. How nice.

This review’s rating guide? Here it is:

	When in Newport, OR, stand in line first thing!
	Delish fish! (I had to rhyme)
	Average, but I’d come back to try more.
	Not worth standing in line, but if there’s no line…
	Tell everyone in line to eat somewhere else or go catch their own seafood.

I give Mo’s Annex 3 stars. I suppose it would’ve been 3.5 stars if I hadn’t had the clam chowder. The baked oysters were of good quality. The service was friendly enough for a busy place. Overall, the place didn’t excite me, but it didn’t disappoint me enough to prevent me from coming back.

Though very late, I’m continuing with my food reviews from our trip summer trip to Oregon. I feel it’s important that I do so, because our next food outing was Pietro’s Pizza.

I first visited Pietro’s when my wife and I were in Salem, OR for my now brother-in-law’s wedding, about four years ago as of this writing. I had incredibly fond memories of this pizza: the chewy crust with the cornmeal on the bottom, the fresh taste of the toppings… my mouth watered at the very thought of this pizza, even during the four years away from this pizzeria.

The first time we went, we got it to go. There was no one in the place as we ordered and waited, but I remember the lively atmosphere. There were plenty of video games and decorations that seemed to say, “Family fun zone is right here.” I couldn’t remember what the decorations were, but now that I had a chance to come back, I was reminded.

Pirates.

The place was full of pirate stuff. And this time, it was crowded with kids aplenty. I was not to be deterred: I was going to get my pizza and love it. It had been four years, and no screaming child was going to get in my way.

We ordered two different pizzas: a pepperoni, to satisfy those that didn’t want to deal with certain toppings like mushrooms and olives (those people are sacrilegious), and, if I remember correctly, a Pietro’s Combo: pepperoni, salami, beef (sausage), olives, and mushrooms.

I gave a small, unnecessary speech before I took my first bite. I got odd looks from my friends and family members. I took that first bite and…

Not quite how I remembered. Time and high expectations will do that to you. The crust was very good and came the closest to my memories. It was crispy yet chewy, with a nice texture and mouth feel. The combo came with lots of toppings, so describing it as decadent, regardless if that word is overused, is accurate. It was a very good pizza, and they used good ingredients, but the abundance of toppings made it a rich, filling pie. If you want a simple pizza, this was not it; it was quite overloaded.

The pepperoni pizza was very much like a Round Table pizza except for the crust. The cheese was dominant, causing the crust to take a back seat. I’m not sure if it was the amount of cheese or just the brand/kind they used – it has been some time since the summer so I can’t recall. It was good cheese, and tasty, but it certainly overshadowed the crust.

Don’t get me wrong. The pizza was very good. And yes, I will go back the next time I’m in Salem. But it didn’t have quite the impact it did during my first partaking.

The prices are about what you’d expect for a popular pizza chain that specializes in high-end pizza. According to their current menu, a one-topping large (our pepperoni) is $18.30, while a large Pietro’s Combo is $24.00. Their pizza is worth the price. Sodas are refillable.

That said, here is this review’s rating scale:

	RUN, don’t walk, to this place and eat.
	A staple on my list of places to visit while in Salem.
	Pizza night? Consider Pietro’s.
	I want pizza and there are few other choices.
	Avoid like you would a moldy pizza.

I give Pietro’s Pizza 4 stars. If you’re looking for pizza that will make you feel self-indulgent when eating the toppings, Pietro’s is definitely a must. Beware, though, for their lovely crust takes a back seat to those toppings, which is a shame.

Our second restaurant stop in Oregon was in Eugene. We stopped there to visit a friend that had just relocated. Out to lunch we went, heading past the University of Oregon to the 5th Street Market.

Upstairs, there is a pleasant, roomy eating area, much like a ritzy food court, where several different eateries are located: Greek (Café Glendi), an Italian (Noli Italian Café), Middle-Eastern (Casablanca), and fish ‘n’ chips (Go Fish),

There is also the Marché Café, which we all ended up choosing; I was deliberating between that and Casablanca. Marché Café’s steak baguette reeled me in.

From the menu, I could only assume that the place was a French-styled eatery, specializing in soups and sandwiches. If you look at their menu online, you’ll see that the steak baguette is a sandwich with marinated flank steak, caramelized onions, gruyere, and aioli for $8.50. The menu at the café, however, omitted the gruyere and included sweet peppers along with the caramelized onions.

The sandwich was made with a toasted baguette that held the ingredients like a sub, meaning the bread formed the sides of the sandwich, as opposed to being on the top and bottom like a “flat” sandwich. The caramelized onions and peppers were set on top of the sandwich along with a few leaves of arugula, which I took off and added to my accompanied mix of spring greens. Why? I assumed they were supposed to take the place of the traditional sandwich lettuce, except that the arugula actually sat on top and was not included inside. I didn’t feel like opening up my sandwich so that I might bite into the arugula along with the steak, so I added it to my salad.

The sandwich tasted good, but the bread was toasted too much to eat comfortably. Also, because it was a sub-styled sandwich, and the caramelized onions and peppers sat on top, it was a little difficult to eat; the onions and peppers threatened to spill out and I was also unable to have some with every bite (ever have that problem with a taco?). The steak itself was tasty if not a bit over-cooked, making it, of course, less tender than it could have been. The aioli went nicely with the steak.

The accompanying salad was drizzled with a vinaigrette that was light on the vinegar. It was a nice compliment to the otherwise heavy sandwich. The flavor of the greens stood out and the vinaigrette did not overpower.

Being that I had a steak sandwich on baguette, the price was not too bad. However, my wife had a grilled Tillamook cheese sandwich and fruit (the Croque Bébé) for $5.00. I assume that was some spectacular fruit.

I cannot speak to what my wife and friends had, as I did not taste their dishes (well, I stole a French fry – tasty). I do know they did enjoy their food, although the burger was not medium rare like my friends had requested.

That said, here is this review’s rating scale:

	Is this Heaven?
	I crave. Must have more.
	Really good!
	Good enough.
	I do not enjoy eating vomit.

I give Marché Café 3 1/2 stars. The sandwich was very tasty, just a little difficult to eat. The prices aren’t too bad. I think if the meat had not been over-cooked and the sandwich easier to eat, I’d bump up the rating.

During the last week of July, my wife and I set out to Oregon with her sister and brother-in-law. The plan was to hit Ashland and stay in a motel, drive up to the Rogue Valley State Park to camp out, trek up to Eugene to visit a friend, make our way to Salem to visit my wife and sister-in-law’s brother, head out to the Beachside State Park to camp again, then drive on home.

Whew.

On vacation, I like to eat at local places. Even though most of the time you may not get “local cuisine” – because, let’s face it: you’ll find similar dishes all around this here U.S. of A. – you will get to try local ingredients a lot of the time. You might also find that local restaurants make your favorite dish differently from place to place.

So, even though the plan was to make our own food at the camp sites, there were times when we’d eat out. And our first stop was in Ashland at a place called Louie’s Bar and Grill.

Louie’s claims to make Ashland’s best burger. I forget how long they’ve made that claim (11 years?), but suffice it to say, we all had some sort of burger. Not necessarily because of this claim, but because they advertised what they call “The Recession Burger”. By another name, it’s called a “cheeseburger”. That’s right. As a promotion, they’d labeled their standard cheeseburger The Recession Burger because they were pricing it at $4.99 instead of the regular price (which was $6.95, I think). This, of course, appealed to the four of us that were looking for good, cheap, eats.

My wife and her sister had a Recession Burger. The sister’s hubby had a Jack Daniel’s Burger at regular price.

I would have gone for the Recession Burger as well, but I’d had a huge sandwich from a Nugget that was still lasting me (the Nugget was in Woodland, CA, and it was merely average, atypical for Nugget. But that’s another story). I therefore opted for the more-expensive-yet-I-don’t-know-why patty melt.

Overall, the patty melt was very good. The meat was tasty, but the patty was a bit too small for the bread, meaning that the ends of my sandwich was basically buttery toast with some grilled onions. Speaking of onions, they were indeed grilled, but not to the point of ultra-softness. They still had a very slight firmness, which I liked because in this state they retain a bit of bite. There was enough American cheese to make the sandwich moist but not overly gooey. My patty melt was accompanied by a chipotle coleslaw, which was slightly spicy but not necessarily amazing. It was good, and I enjoyed it as a side dish, but it wasn’t anything I would yearn for.

When traveling I also like to try the local beers and wines, to see what the local breweries and wineries are up to. So, while I knew I wanted a local beer, I couldn’t decide between the two light beers on the menu. The server couldn’t really describe either too me, nor make a recommendation (perhaps he was too young to drink). Therefore, I had him surprise me. He brought me a Mirror Pond, which was hoppy, light, and refreshing.

Overall, the meal was very good. The price was a bit much for a patty melt, especially compared to the regular prices of the other burgers, and I don’t really understand this. Is it the grilling of the onions that jacks up the price? The special bread? I don’t know.

While I did not taste the other meals at the table, I can tell you that everyone enjoyed their burgers. The brother-in-law seemed enthusiastic about his time spent with the Jack Daniel’s Burger and wanted another. I did have a taste of their French fries, which were crispy on the outside, mealy on the inside, and very, very lightly salted. It was a French fry certainly meant for dipping.

The service was pleasant. The servers and hostess were easy to talk to and helpful.

All in all, I would recommend a visit to Louie’s Bar and Grill. The food was very enjoyable, the prices were decent, and the service was pleasant. If only someone could explain the high price of a patty melt, then I’d be even happier.

In conclusion, I present this review’s rating scale:

	I must return. The food calls to me.
	Very good. I can still taste it.
	Good. When in Ashland, it’ll be one of the choices.
	It was edible and made my hunger pangs go away.
	If I die from this food, I’ll be sure to let them know.

I give Louie’s 3 1/2 stars. I think if I’d closed my eyes out of ecstasy during that first bite I’d bump it up to 4.

For those of you visiting Ashland, definitely check out Louie’s Bar and Grill.