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Corvallis Top Recommendations from our reviews (see the reviews below for
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See below for full reviews on these establishments. |
On a recent visit, the food was quite tasty, with excellent presentation. One favorite of mine is the ravioli appetizer. The chicken also seems popular. The Mahi Mahi entree was cooked to perfection, and I even liked the Salmon (I don't normally like any kind of Salmon) Service is fast and attentive. The Key Lime Pie got my attention, since it wasn't too sweet like many interpretations. The Ganache was simply amazing. The only minor glitch in our great experience was that my son had to ask for a replacement fork when his original one was cleared away with the appetizer dishes. No big deal.
There are two or three tables that have a very nice view of the waterfront. When making reservations, I'd recommend asking for one of those tables. Aqua is a bit pricey, but you very much get what you pay for. Iain and company's Le Bistro and Aqua are running neck and neck for best food in Corvallis. Try both, and tell us what you think! Highly recommended. Rating: A.
8/13/08 MS: Vietnamese sandwiches make for an interesting combo given the French influence in Vietnam. The bread is good. The meats are best if you don't worry about what it is (though I've had many funky things between Paris and Singapore). They have a nice accompaniment of veggies in them. The appetizers I've had have been so-so (and in one case bad, as in seemed like it was very stale). Still, a decent light lunch. Recommended.
9/9/09 RM: This was some of the worst food I have had in Corvallis. It's hard to explain how bad it was. It was not hot and the service was strange. I would not recommend going. Avoid. Go to Kim Hoas Restaurant if you want good Asia without spending a ton, same owners!
3/12/09 OS: This place is packed every day at lunch. It is a Thai/Vietnamese/Chinese mix, primarily take-out with a few tables. You can get 1, 2, or 3 different dishes, served with either noodles or rice. The Spicy Panang Chicken is the BEST. I definitely recommend it.
10/28/09 BJ: It's criminal that you're missing Blue Sky Chinese Restaurant from your list! [Ed note: not any longer. ;)] This is easily my favourite Chinese in Corvallis, hands-down. They are located in the Safeway/Bi-Mart plaza on Philomath Blvd, next to a Quizno's and Phagan's Beauty College. Their atmosphere is pleasant inside, and they have a nice amount of space, which means not too much waiting even at 12:00. I take my lunch hour from 1-2, and my boyfriend and I are never there more than 45 minutes from seating to paying our bill. All of the lunch specials are tasty, and they do a marvellous job with keeping your tastes in mind (my boyfriend always orders dishes without green peppers and if they forget to, they take it immediately back and do it over, usually within ten minutes). We have never eaten anything that is bad there, trying a variety of their dishes, and it's easily the best hot and sour soup in Corvallis. Highly, highly recommended!
EK 7/19/2010: The Broken Yolk is a favorite breakfast spot for my wife and myself. Yes, the kitchen is slow, but if you are eating on a deadline you shouldn't be eating out anyway! The lines for seating look terrible, but be sure that you've signed your name in the book and your patience is often rewarded by people giving up on the wait. In our experience, service is usually quite attentive and friendly, and I've only had to wait for coffee once. The food has been quite good and is worth the wait. It is worth thinking of this as a relaxing morning out. Just be aware that when ordering, that a "Half Stack" provides plenty of food.
And: Sold a while back and food is slowly declining (and it was never that great to begin with). Best Chinese food in Corvallis, but that's not saying much. Suggested.
10/16/08 SE: China Delight is my favorite Chinese restaurant, hands down. They make the best Hot and Sour soup in the state. (And yes, I've eaten lots of Chinese food elsewhere.) When I was in Corvallis more often, I ate there weekly; now I'm lucky to get there once a month, but I'll drive over there just for the soup. They still remember my standard side order was: hot and sour soup, World Peace tea (which they no longer make, unfortunately), steamed rice. Just off the top of my head, they have fantastic kung pao, excellent General Tso's chicken, and marvelous Mongolian beef. And wonderful service! They always greet me by name and ask how friends I eat with are doing. I don't know where the rest of your readers have been eating or if someone was having a bad day when they visited, but good grief, they don't deserve to be panned like that.
6/26/09 SJ: An associate was driving and picked Clodfelter's as the place for lunch with a visiting vendor. A long time native, I think she probably has romantic memories of student life. I had the BBC. Yeah, it was an okay burger, but just. Liberally seasoned with that smokiness that only comes from burned grease. Not much more to say. It's a pub. Students and ex-students hang out there. I'll give it a C+ for nostalga's sake.
And: Hamburgers are 'OK'. Definitely not the best place for a burger and beer in Corvallis, but does have sports coverage. Suggested.
Cloud 9 / Downward DogCorvallis is fortunate to have another hip dining option. C9 offers an extensive appetizer, small plates, and entree menu. Ko Atteberry, formerly of the Heathman in Portland, is the chef. Of course, they have a large cocktail/bar offering as well. There is both restaurant and bar seating. The food at C9 is good, which is a Northwest bistro type of menu. And, the service is decent. Cloud 9 has installed carpet, which really improves the acoustics of the place, which used to be an issue. Prices are in line with the area. Cloud 9 has opened a bar next door (in the former Chippery location). The bar (named the "Downward Dog") has a warm feeling. We like the atmosphere of the bar. Cloud 9 is also available for private events. Both Cloud 9 and Downward Dog are Recommended. Cloud 9 has regular live music and DJ events. Rating: A. See their website for current hours and special dinners.
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12/30/08 BC: They just started offering beer and wine for sale and will be having live music on some evenings. They also now offer some additional "real food" breakfasts (not just pastries and quiche) and have expanded their lunch offerings. Recommended.
11/6/08 MS: You need to add coffee culture to your list of restaurants. Their food and atmosphere is fantastic. I love the KC special - grilled cheese panini and tomato bisque soup. I don't even like tomato soup - but I can't seem to get enough of it! I recently tried a Hot Buttered Rum White Mocha as suggested by one of the staff and now I am craving them!
6/13/09 PL: Hi there, I just wanted to say thank you. I am visiting Corvallis and I was craving a real down-home, slippery grease breakfast at noon. I looked online for "Corvallis Greasy Spoon" and your site was one of the top hits on Google.? I went to Darrell's today and it was exactly what I wanted, and exactly as you described.? As a side note, I noticed that they serve Freixenet splits for $3.50 (I didn't get one because it was only noon) but I am pretty sure this is a sweet deal. They sell those in restaurants in Southern Oregon for 6-7 bucks. Kind of a classy kick. Thanks again,
And: Great place for greasy diner food. If you're craving a standard US diner breakfast this is it. If not, stay away. Suggested (for what it is).
And: It's been many years since I've eaten here (OK, it was the Beaver hut before that and I never went there). That should say enough. Not Recommended.
And: It has good chips and salsa. After that it is completely unremarkable. Not Recommended. Rating: C-.
3/8/08 BC: El Tapatio is now another El Sol de Mexico. They have always been owned by the same people. For some reason, the 9th street location has better food imho and the wait staff on Circle is never very friendly. I like El Sol's chicken mole.
And: El Tapatio is probably the most reliable Mexican restaurants in this town. You can always count on prompt, friendly service and much better than average Mexican food here. As a native Californian who has some knowledge of what good Mexican food is, El Tapatio serves at least that!
10/5/08 TR: Highly recommended for those with food allergies. My family and I visited El Sol and let them know that I was allergic to soy. They went and got their manager (a good sign) and he ended up waiting on us personally, checking every single ingredient and laying out exactly what I could and couldn't eat (no deep-fried foods, no desserts). It was a busy Friday night and they were so kind and helpful, and the food was great too
And: Not good. A bit expensive and the food is very run of the mill (or worse). Might be recommended.
And: This is one of our favorite Mexican restaurants between Corvallis and Albany. Good service, nice, relaxing atmosphere, clean, and the best chili relleno's around.
FA 5/31/10: My girlfriends and I went (despite the poor review) in anticipation of light fair and an excellent glass of wine prior to a movie. We were greeted by the sommelier and he promptly brought us the daily wine list, a nice variety with reasonable prices. We enjoyed a local pinot gris and a sauvignon blanc. We ordered the antipasto platter which was large enough for all 3 of us and included a wonderful variety. Fresh olive oil and balsamic for the bread. The sommelier (who also served as the waiter) did not know the types of cheese on the plate which we would have liked to know but we wanted some fresh fruit and didn't want to order another large platter so he brought us a plate even though it was not on the menu. When we were preparing to leave he offered a bottle of wine for purchase to take home which we took advantage of. There is a small area with wine for purchase but we didn't take time to look. It was free truffle night and as we had to head to our movie he packaged them to go. My friends said they were delicious. Only recommendation...get some nice crisp linen napkins. Way too nice an establishment to use paper. Definitely try it!!! Not the place for a heavy meal but we were very pleased. Great experience and we will return.
3/7/09 RK: My wife and I arrived at Enoteca at 8:30 on a Saturday night following dinner. Enoteca is a wine bar located next to Iovino's on south 1st street. The atmosphere is wonderful. I guess I would call it comfortable modern with glass and contemporary architecture, soft leather chairs, and a beautiful solid agate bar. There was a live band, Gumbo, playing mostly what I would call folk, Creole music. They were amazing and apparently play at Enoteca the first Saturday of every month. Despite the excellent atmosphere and music there were only two other customers in the bar. At first I could not figure out why, until I ordered wine and food. Apparently Enoteca only has the minimum food required by law. They did not have a bar menu displayed and when asked, the server mentioned that there were some cold food items available and chocolate truffles for dessert. Oh well, I thought, I am really here to drink wine. Then I learned that they only had 4 reds available by the glass and two of them were cheap supermarket wines! They did have a Tuscan red 'flight' available for $19, so I tried that. The wines were excellent but not my favorite style. I then inquired about port wine. Not only did they not have any port wine by the glass, they did not even have a bottle in stock. I consider this inexcusable for a wine bar! My wife and I would have gladly stayed all night and spent a lot of money to have dessert, fine wine, and listen to the excellent music. But, alas, we tipped the band and left the empty wine bar in search of... well, wine! We rate Enoteca 'Not Recommended' for lack of selection of wine and food appropriate to any wine bar. We may come back for some great free music and atmosphere though.
12/15/08 TB: Emmons Meat market has some of the best jerky I have ever had. Our family has been buying it from them for nearly two decades and it is incredibly yummy! We send it out for gifts to friends/family who like jerky and seem to always "hint" to us if we are getting them more around Christmas or a birthday. They have samples of all their jerky so try it out and see for yourself. I have asked the owner (original owner passed away) over the years why they haven't started selling this stuff world wide on the internet but they always tell me they are happy with just doing it the way they have been since they started. I think the sons took it over with staff working there that have been there for years and years it seems like. Must be a good sign they treat their folks well and probabally why their jerky is so darn good! We have purchased the smoke salmon (black pepper) too which is very good. They sell all sorts of other meat products that I would assume are top notch as well but highly recommend the jerky. They have it in pork, turkey, beef and buffalo with some rare occassions with other meats too. It is a little expensive but jerky in general is expensive so I don't think they are too out of line for the quality of jerky you get.
LP 2/24/10: Had lunch at the newest restaurant in the Corvallis scene. While they are having normal new restaurant issues, the service was friendly and reasonably knowledgeable about their menu, the food was very tasty, and the prices were reasonable for lunch for the quality of food. Our group got the 'old south' sandwich, very tasty pork shoulder with fixins, the 'ring of fire' sandwich, which had good flavor but was not burning hot, and the tempeh (soy) burger with bbq toppings, which had a nice flavor. One creative option for the tempeh burger was with bacon and blue cheese. I guess that's for vegetarians that eat pork? Fries were steak fries with a nice seasoning on them. I'll certainly be back for lunch at Flat Tail in the future to try other items on their bbq-leaning menu, which is a nice thing to have downtown. Rate a B+ with potential.
8/13/08 MS: Been here for the breakfast brunch a couple of times. The food is fresh and very good. You start off with a long bar a varies ^?starters^? with a good assortment of both sweet (little pastries, cookie like things, ^?) and savory (smoked salmon, cheeses, stuffed mushrooms, ^?) rounded out with fruit. After you have a selection of about six main dishes. Add to that fresh orange juice and a French press of coffee on you table and you have a good spread. I would list this as a treat for just about anyone. Highly Recommended.
6/29/09 LM: Francescos: A Probably the best gelato outside of Italy ( I'd say the best even in Italy but wouldn't want to offend). They have wonderful flavors and even offer dairy and sugar free (great for my mother-in-law's restricted diet). In particular their Pistachio is to die-for! As are the cofee and chocolate. I know this goes against the traditional way of making gelato but I wish there were some flavors that swirled in flavors or bits and pieces of cany/pastry. I know usually these added flavors sit on top and are somtimes scooped into a cup (if lucky --such as a piece of brownie or cheescake etc.,) but with the way we have become accustomed to our loaded icecream here in America it might be welcomed by many if there were a few flavors of gelato that also did this (an example/suggestion would be to swirl chocolate fudge with a vanilla cream or custard flavored icecream).
1/21/09 BR: Really tasty gelato in a rainbow of flavors. Espresso drinks are good. The surprise was the lunch menu: somewhat higher-end flavors (e.g. Tuscan Tuna) with a changing cast of cold salads. The Panini are tasty, although sometimes come out a bit cool in the center. That said, the staff has always been more than happy to rectify the situation. Nice soups as well. The decor is a bit sparse, but evokes the Italian countryside and is quite pleasant. Check out the upstairs, complete with the burbling sounds of a fountain. Highly recommended.
Fireworks Restaurant and Bar(Formerly known as Intaba and Wildfire) Fireworks feels good, and they focus on local, organic, sustainable food. The focus of Fireworks is the hand-built wood fired "earth oven". Many items on their menu, from pizza to bread, are baked in this unit. If you sit in their outside covered seating area, you can get a good look of the cooking operation in this oven. With the new menu (see below) the food has improved. Recently we sampled several of their dishes: salmon and ahi. Both were quite good, presented nicely, and cooked right. Also, they're accomodating to dietary restrictions: we ordered some veggies with the artichoke dip appetizer in addition to the Focaccia bread because one person in our party was on a very-low-carb diet. The veggie were an extra-cost option, though. Fireworks also has gluten-free pizza options as well. Service is decent, if not a little on the slow side. Our main suggestion would be to "spruce up" the gravel parking area on the south side of the restaurant by trimming the landscaping and general cleaning up debris and equipment. With the recent improvements at Fireworks, we recommend them. A-.As of May, 2010, Firworks has a new chef, and has reworked the menu. Their new chef is Scott Schufelt. His cooking cooking career highlights include a Harper's review fishing lodge in Alaska, a retreat in Hawaii, and a 200 seat tratoria in Burlington Vermont. Scott has revamped the entire operation, from top-to-bottom, resulting in a new menu, with more affordable prices, new pizza selections, and new "Pub Classic" sandwiches. Scott also scored the number 2 position in a recent local chef's competition.
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BP 8/16/10: I stopped going to Iovino's a few years ago after they moved [the first time]. The food [at the former location] was fine but wasn't wasn't worth the money. After they downsized and moved to southtown I thought I'd give them another chance for lunch this week. I'm glad I did. The lunch was fabulous and definitely worth the money. I'll be back and start taking out of towners there again for lunch. Highly recommended, at least for a sandwich.
8/7/07 JB: I just saw the previous review for King of Falafel (we're talking about Crystals on Monroe right) and I have to emphatically disagree. I'm not sure when Paris became the authority or originator of the falafel, and maybe if you're used to pita pit Crystal's is not for you. Anyway, their falafel sandwich is great, and its huge, all you need for a meal.
La Rokita/La Roca has excellent, authentic Oaxaca style Mexican food. The decor is somewhat lacking, but the food is good (and cheap). Good thing they don't serve beer [the 3rd & Western location now serves beer] otherwise the place would be overrun with college students. Formerly called La Roca, now named La Rockita. Highly Recommended. Rating: A.
7/8/08 BC: They are open and even better than they were in their old location! Located in the Richie's Market area, they did a nice job of taking a crummy shopping center storefront and creating a nice cafe ambiance. Their croissants are wonderful, a bit pricey but this should not be an everyday indulgence anyhow! I am looking forward to trying one of their specialty cakes for an upcoming birthday.
4/24/08 HD: Le Bistro: Have yet to be disappointed! From intimate, special dinners with my wife to larger family occasions, it has always been an exceptional experience to dine at Le Bistro. The staff is absolutely first-rate --- polite, professional --- they know their menu and their wines. We have sampled many dishes from the menu over the past couple of years, and have always been extremely pleased and satisfied with all. Hors^? d^?oeuvres (lobster and seafood crepe our favorite), entrees (filets and veal always perfectly done pleasers, and every sauce has been delicious....coq au vin fantastic) and the cr?me brulee our favorite way to end the meal. Definitely a special occasion/very fine dining place to experience!
12/30/08 BC: I'd like to commend them for changing to use all biodegradable to-go containers and utensils. They may not be heart smart but they are environmentally friendly!
And: In the mood for some meat? This is the place for you. Cheap, quick and guaranteed to make you sleepy after lunch. The 5a and 7a are good bets for first timers.
SJ 4/28/10: The appearance of the place hasn't changed appreciably since its previous incarnation, but the food is good, the menu innovative and the staff friendly. I tried their take on pulled pork. If pulled pork only means barbeque to you, then you might be disappointed. If you're looking for an altogether different experience, this might be it. I thought it was fantastic. I also had the tostones, which is more-or-less bananas Foster made with plantains. They're served two ways on the same plate, sauteed and also crispy chips. The texture variety was great. Recommended.
HK 4/26/10: Our monthly dinner club dined at the new Loca Luna last night and we were pleasantly surprised. We all ordered different items and were not disappointed. Everything we tried was delicious from sushi to steak to everything else. There are only two dessert choices and they failed to excite but who cares? The wine menu, though limited, exceeded our expectations. Specialty drinks were fabulous. Service was spectacular! This could be the new best restaurant in Corvallis. We would highly recommend it.
6/10 SS: Just had dinner at Luc for the first time, and it was amazing! We stumbled upon it after a friend mentioned that there was a new place in town near Madison, and we are glad to have found it. Delicious, high-quality food at a fairly reasonable price with excellent service. The steak was wonderful, but the caramelized onions really pulled the plate together and made it out of this world. Same for the California sea bass, served with a wonderful tomato coulis that was just the perfect amount of spicy, and paired with Israeli couscous. Great ambiance, decor, and service to complete the experience. Add the cinnamon creme brulee, and it was the best meal we've had in Corvallis yet. Highly recommended!
1/16/08 BN: I would like to suggest upgrading the rating for Mexico Lindo from "somewhat recommended" to "recommended". Mexico Lindo, and it's sister restaurant Ixtapa in Philomath, are two of my family's favorite restaurants. Their food is fresh and tasty, their service is fast and friendly, and their prices are very reasonable. They do have some "zesty" choices if that's what you're looking for, but also offer milder dishes for those of us that appreciate things not quite so spicy.
[Ed Note: Wow, what a review. Even though it's "flowery" it is based on fact. Murphy's is good, but it's not fine dining. It also tends to be a younger crowd] 3/10/09 DD: Murphy's Restaurant and Lounge! If you are similar to me, you are sometimes indecisive about what to eat in Corvallis, being a small city the choices are limited and become repetitive with the franchise cookie-cutter restaurants. You have probably driven the city streets and tried every restaurant and fast food establishment, and still, you crave a satisfying meal in good company. Murphy's is the place you have been seeking. At first sight, Murphy's does not seem like an exciting and tasteful place to be. Trust me, you are wrong, take the opportunity to see what Murphy^?s has to offer. You will find me there every day they are open. Newcomers are always welcome here. I am guessing you want to hear about the food. I personally have had nearly everything on the menu. I have not come across an appetizer, side, wrap, burger, or entre that I did not love. There are fresh and creative specials each day. The soup is fresh and different each day. The dinner menu is superb. You will find something you like with the selection they offer; they have something for all tastes. Wings, southwest eggrolls, onion rings, fries, crab dip, whipped potatoes, prawns, dessert, burgers how you want it, wraps, prime rib sandwich with au jus, daily soup, dinner salads, Mediterranean inspired pastas, fresh seafood, poultry (I suggest the chicken bombay satay), baby back ribs, rib eye steak, pork chops (the house favorite), prime rib, and much more. Do not Miss the summer barbeques! Enjoy an expanded menu on Thursdays. Enjoy the best Barbeque in town, so good at times there is standing room only; trust me I do not exaggerate. Corn bread, potatoes, vegetables, seafood, chicken, beef, pulled pork, and brisket. If you enjoy wine with your dinner, they offer an excellent selection wines including Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Pinot Grigio, and Riesling from La Terre, Eola Hills, and Chateau St. Michelle by the glass or bottle. If you want, you can choose from the 15-20, local and imported beers and micros by the pint or bottle including Budweiser, Coors, Pabst, Widmere, Calapooia, Oakshire, Deschutes, Kona, Cascade Lakes,Fearless, Ninkasi, Guinness, Rogue, Corona, and Heineken. The bar at Murphy^?s is the place to be. Between the shots, drinks, and laughs, you will keep coming back time and time again. If you are looking for something in particular or a seasonal beer, just ask the bar tenders, they will not do you wrong. The staff at Murphy's is dedicated to excellence in service. They take pride in how friendly, quick, precise, and fair their service is. The bartenders are the best you will ever meet. You can come and play pool (billiards), the lottery, foosball, reserve a party, trivia with prizes on Wednesdays for the sharper minds in the crowd, and enjoy sports on more than 10 televisions. Dull moments do not exist at Murphy's. You will have a great time. They are open Tuesday through Saturday; typical hours are 3:00pm to 11:00pm or Midnight. I highly recommend Murphy's to anyone who asks about the best food and atmosphere in Corvallis.
10/5/08 HM: Yuuuummmyyyyy! Best sandwich I have had in Corvallis by far. Huge portions. Very friendly staff. Highly recommended.
10/1/08 ST: Not suggested for those with food allergies or wanting to keep anything out of their meal besides meat. After being diagnosed with an allergy to soy, trying to find restaurants that can accomodate my special dietary needs has been a challenge and NN's has unfortunately been one of the worst restaurants out there for me. I assumed that since the staff was so good at keeping meat out of a meal that they might be sensitive to other dietary restrictions, but sadly I was wrong. After making it very clear to the cashier that I was allergic to soy, asking him to check with the chef's (which did happen, he yelled back "is there any soy in the fakin' bakin burger?" To which someone barked back "No!") and having him guarantee me that the fakin' bakin burger had no soy, I blindly believed him and ordered. After getting sick that night I called and confirmed that there was soy in the mayonnaise, bread, chips (soy oil) and margarine used. I e-mailed them to ask the manager if she had any soy-free recommendations for me from their menu, to which she replied "We have many options, just make it very clear to the cashier that you are allergic to soy." I pressed further for specific menu items, and never heard back from her. I had already become increasingly annoyed with NN's policy of absolutely no substitutions (wasteful when you don't particularly want half a plate of plain black beans and would actually eat a side salad) and having gone in there a couple of times around 5/5:15 with my hungry, cranky, picky toddler and having them tell me that I couldn't order pasta until 5:30 - really? You can't possibly boil a pot of water 15 minutes early? Personally I am done with Nearly Normal's, which is unfortunate 'cause I really appreciate the overall idea of the restaurant and am grateful for a pure vegetarian place to eat.
3/8/08 BC: Normal's has so many great choices, it is hard to choose what to order! The food is always so fresh and the outdoor area is great in good weather. If you go for lunch arrive pre-noon as you wait in line to order before you sit down and the line can be long. Be sure to check the specials board as that is where you find the best dishes. I love the Guido's Italian (a "not-meatball" sandwich), the Tofu Potato platter and the mini shepherd's banquest a lot (salad, soup and bread)
And, another point of view: Good place for a vegi sandwich (the Mighty Meatless), other than that the food is very run of the mill. Also has the downside of only serving Oregon Trail beer on tap (though I appreciate the alliance from a community perspective). Suggested.
And: My wife and I love to go to Old World Deli. Their sandwiches are a good value for the money. The chili is hearty and the soups are flavorful. We also like the atmosphere and go to many of the events held there. We especially like the Ginseng Porter. I would highly recommend them if you're looking for a reasonably-priced sandwich place.
1/21/09 BR: OK, at Potters there's no seating. There's also no better value for a sandwich to take back to work with you (or, if the weather cooperates, to the riverfront). They use quality meats (sliced on the premises), offer numerous vegetable toppings, and the sandwiches are HUGE. I'll often order a club and eat half for lunch and half for dinner. I recommend the club with all the veggies (but kraut) on whole wheat. The pastrami is killer. And the price for a soda can't be beat. Highly recommended.
This restaurant has recently opened in the former Michael's Landing location. They are a Vietnamese/Sushi fusion type of place. It is operated by a former partner in Tokyo (Happy) Steakhouse. Of course, the view of the river is great there, but the food andservice still have a way to go. C.
7/30/10 TK: My good friend and I went to Riverfront Tuesday night for dinner. There were a fair number of people there, the staff were friendly and the place looked remarkably like it did as Michael's Landing, but perhaps brighter and cheerier. We found the wait staff to be informative and attentive. Service was quick. However... we aren't planning on going again anytime soon. The food - a rather important part of the restaurant experience - was not good. Although they kindly substituted salad for the soup, the raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing was disappointing (but perhaps we were hoping for Michaels Landings recipe). The main course was not as good as the salad dressing. We both ordered chicken I had lemon chicken, with no lemon flavor and my friend had spicy lemongrass chicken which, as for your reviewer, had absolutely no lemongrass flavor, but at least had a small amount of spice. The chicken was fatty and seemed to be more of a burned teriyaki than the flavors ordered. The rice was oily. And the only vegetables were a few pieces of slightly pickled cucumber and carrot. The cucumber and carrot tasted good. I was expecting more vegetables. We left with unsettled stomachs and went elsewhere for dessert. Perhaps the food will be ironed out in 6 to 8 weeks, as you suggest, but Ill have to read several good reviews before going again. I do want to reiterate that we did have excellent service. D+ (only that high due to the great service)
7/29/10 LT: Lunch: This restaurant just opened so hopefully things will get better. The view was great and the water was cold. Lunch was neither. I ordered spicy lemongrass chicken with vegetarian crystal rolls. Lunch came with Miso soup or seafood egg soup which had great flavor. unfortunately the seafood was KRAB with a tiny bit of shrimp to keep it real. The chicken was absolutely charred on one side and did not have any lemongrass flavor at all. Oh, and lunch took 40 minu8tes to arrive after ordering. The waiter forgot the soup and appetizer until we asked. (30 minutes in) Give it a try in 6-8 weeks. TL
3/8/08 BC: Average Mongolian place but great if you or one of your dining companions is on a diet as the only high calorie thing is some of the sauces and you get to be in control of that!
And: Good place to go if Local Boys didn't fill you up. Seriously though, I have not been here is years. A fairly standard "Mongolian grill" (all you can eat, assemble it yourself stir fry). Suggested.
12/17/07 SC: Just wanted to throw out an update on Sharon's Cafe in South Corvallis--They've expanded into twice the space so waiting isn't a problem any more. The staff seems just as efficient, the food just as diner-food good.
7/30/10 TK: Thai Chili Restaurant: I love Thai Chili. The food is always good, although it takes a long, long time to get your food. The wait staff is quite pleasant. We really enjoy the Mieng- Khum appetizer (lettuce leaf with lime, red onion, toasted coconut, cashew and tamarind sauce). I almost always order the cashew nut chicken, and its always delicious. They are also really good at substituting out the onions and including broccoli (without extra charge, which is nice!). The other dishes Ive tried have also been very tasty! Generally better to eat-in than to get to go. I highly recommend, if you arent in a hurry. A
1/31/10 MA: And it's damn good - not the best I've had in the world (I lived in Thailand for a year) but better than many, particularly the alternative in town. Cheap, friendly, and not afraid to flavor their dishes. Highly recommended.
And: Yes it is a tavern, but that doesn;t mean they don't have good pub food (and if Clodfelter's and McMenamin's makes the list, it should too). Best place in town for a burger and beer. The Chicken Little (Chicken breast with shredded cabbage and hoisin sauce) is tasty as well. Cheap, good bar food. No credit cards. Highly Recommended.
And: MS 10/17/2007: Squirrel's. Squirrel's burgers are way better than average. They are the best around, and some of the best I've had anywhere. They are a hand made patty, not a pressed food service disk. They come with cheddar, Swiss or provolone. My friend says they have the best Rueben around too, although I haven't tried one cause I can't seem to order anything but the burgers. I agree that the fries would be better twice cooked, but I still like them and get them every time.
And: One of two Mexican places in Corvallis I really enjoy. Pop in on Friday for the soup special. Very traditional and cheap. Recommended.
7/28/09 CJ: As a relatively new transplant to Oregon (3 years) from Southern California, I've been jonezin' for good Mexican food for a while. Up until now, the best I've found locally is Tacos Uruapan, but their distance and hours, plus the fact that they dropped carnitas from their menu, have kept it from being a regular haunt. Amador's Alley in Independence and Luis' in Woodburn have been of occasional help. I've never been impressed by La Rockita and the corporate Qdoba and Chipotle are just rice heavy imitations. Thankfully, Taqueria Alonzo just opened in the old Marzini's spot on Kings and I couldn't be happier. If you know what the typical L.A. mom n' pop Mexican restaurant is like, you'll feel right at home. Not too much in the way of decor, but the watermelon ice, the weekend menudo and the chiclets for sale at the counter smacked of authenticity. I had the 3 tacos combo with beef, chicken and carnitas. My wife had the vegetarian taco plate and my son had a regular carnitas burrito. Total tab was $21 and the food was excellent! The chicken had a very flavorful marinade and the carnitas was as good as any I've had outside of Mexico. Even their chips were good. For those who care, I believe the frijoles had lard, but am not sure. This is their third restaurant with one in Albany and Dos Arbolitos in Lebanon. If you are familiar with either of these places, you'll know what to expect. I wish them great success as our default "I don't want to cook, let's get some Mexican" had become Baja Fresh and believe me, I have grown very tired of it. They also serve beer, wine and margaritas and are open for breakfast (gotta get me some of their huevos rancheros soon. Their hours (for now) are 9AM to 1AM daily.
5/16/08: AB: The food here is quite good. No, it's not 'authentic,' but it is worth trying to find a parking place for. The decor is pleasant and the service good. It can get a bit loud when they're busy, but isn't that the sign of a good restaurant? I have several friends who don't enjoy spicy food, and the menu is diverse enough that they can find something to satisfy them as well. They are also good about making adjustments to dishes as requested (leaving out the peanuts). I've enjoyed experimenting with the different meat variations they offer for some of their dishes.They have some of the best Pad Thai that I've had, in several countries. Other dishes I would recommend: black curry with squid and asparagus, Num Tok- very spicy grilled beef salad, glass noodle soup, mussman curry- chicken and potatoes with coconut milk, the grilled chicken with spicy honey sauce, and the crispy fish with chili sauce. If you are looking for a decent Thai meal, then I would High Recommend the Tarn Tip.
Fire has closed Tommy's. Stay tuned.
And: OK pizza. Favorite for the after softball crowd. Suggested.
And: What can I say? Great pizza, lots of toppings, nice crust, both white and whole wheat.
7/20/09 RK: Oh, and I would add my (B) recommended to your recommendation of Young's Kitchen.