Double-Stacked Bookshelves

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! JT's Food Truck A traveling truck through Marion and Polk counties, you can find JT 's at various locations on various days.  One day, you'll find him serving up food at the state capitol in Salem.  The next day you might find him outside the trucking repair shop on the side of the highway in Independence.  Another day might find you visiting the Barrel and Keg or Vagabond Brewing or another Salem establishment.  Yet another might find you dressed in your finest wedding attire while he feeds everyone at a reception.  Wherever you stumble across JT's, be prepared to eat some tasty food.  Sometimes you'll even catch him pulling his homemade smoker...

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Ixtapa I am a huge fan of Mexican food and Ixtapa does a tasty job of providing that.  A traditional sit-down restaurant with a few locations throughout the state, the location I'm most familiar with is in Lebanon.  Their portions are HUGE, so there's at least two meals for the price of one.  The location is easy to get to and family friendly.  Mmmm.  Via TripAdvisor Recommendations:  The Daniel Special (skirt steak, grilled chicken, fried shrimp, rice, beans, guacamole, and tortillas on the side), Fajitas, Margaritas! You can check out their menu here .   What are some of your favorite I eating establishments? Come back tomorro...

Join me for the moth of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Hasty Freez HF is an Albany institution!  They used to have a second location in Lebanon, but that one was closed years ago to make way for a Dutch Bros.  However, the original is still holding strong and is a hot destination for anyone who knows the wonders of the drive-thru/walk-up burger/shake stand.  Everyone who spouts off about how good In-n-Out is has CLEARLY never experienced the glory that is Hasty Freez.  It's all about that American Cheese and special sauce!  And the milkshakes?!  Oh man, the milkshakes!  Via the Democrat-Herald Don't let the exterior or the fact that you might wait a hefty minute to order fool you, this place ...

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Grain Station Brew Works With two locations within 30 minutes of each other, GSBW is making a name for itself as a great gathering spot with pretty good brews and some killer food.  Originally located in McMinnville, GSBW has recently opened a second location in the small college town of Monmouth and business is booming.  The vibe is welcoming and you can't go wrong with a visit!  McMinnville location via Yelp Recommendations Brews:  Danksta's Paradise IPA, House Money IPA, Tarrazu Coffee Stout, Haystack Gold Ale Cocktails:  Pear Tree Food:  Cambazola Mushroom Burger, Grilled Chicken Burger, Jalapeno Poppers, Hummus Plate Check out the...

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! First Burger Located in a little storefront in downtown Albany, First Burger has become one of the busiest stops in town.  Operating from an "always fresh, always fast" attitude, you're guaranteed to get a tasty burger in your basket.  Add in some hand-cut fries and this place means business! Recently taken over by one of the former cooks, First Burger has not let up on any of their founding principles.  It's a tasty little gem in a vibrant and growing downtown.  Heads Up...seating is limited! Recommendations:  Mushroom Burger, The Uncle Sam, Fried Pickles You can check out the menu here ! What are some of your favorite F eating establis...

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Eola Hills Wine Cellars With two locations in the near vicinity (Rickreall and Salem), Eola Hills has a lot to offer its patrons.  While the majority of their offerings are wine (obviously), they do hold a few events that include food.  One of my favorite things that Eola does is Yoga and Wine evenings on the first Monday of the month (1st and 3rd when the weather is nicer).  They have paired with Yoga+Beer , a PNW company that hosts yoga and beer/wine/cider sessions at various breweries/wineries throughout Oregon and Washington, and the event draws dozens of people to the locations. EH Legacy Estates via Made in Oregon Recommendation:  2015 Oregon Pi...

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon.  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! DaVinci Ristorante In the vicinity of where I currently live, there aren't a ton of "fancier" eating establishments; at least ones that don't take an hour or more to get to.  DaVinci , however, is one of a handful of fine dining restaurants in our state capitol, Salem.  You'll find steak, seafood, pastas, etc on their menu, in addition to an EXTENSIVE wine list .  You will also find much more reasonable prices for the fine dining experience than you would find in larger cities, like Portland.  Via the Statesman Journal DaVinci also offers a pretty great happy hour Monday through Saturday.  The prices are so incredibly reasonable that you could e...

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon.  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list!   Chowder Bowl at Nye Beach Mmmm...I love a good bowl of chowder.  Or any seafood, really.  But there is something so satisfying about soup and the Chowder Bowl's chowder is pretty stellar.  I mean, they named the restaurant after it!  Of course they offer other fares, but you should go for the chowder and the garlic onion cheese toast.  Drool! Located at Historic Nye Beach in Newport, Oregon, the Chowder Bowl is an institution.  They've been open and operating from the same location since 1980 and there is always a wait to get a table.  While you're waiting, feel free to wander 100 yards down the street to the beach or explo...

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon.  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Bunk Sandwiches If you're looking for a seriously good sandwich, one that will drip and ooze and make you close your eyes in pure bliss, look no further than Bunk Sandwiches .  Located in a few separate locations throughout Portland, Bunk has made a name for themselves since their humble beginnings in a tiny hole-in-the-wall location on SE Morrison.  Since their debut on an episode of  Diner's, Drive-Ins, and Dives  in 2009, their business has been booming.  But don't let that deter you from going.  Despite their new-found fame, they have stayed true to their roots and continue to deliver outstanding sandwiches.  Recommendati...

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon.  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Arr' Place Tucked away on a quiet side street in Newport, Oregon, a small town on the central Oregon coast, is this culinary wonder.  Housed in an unassuming cottage and run by a three person team (Aymee, Robert, and Rebeka), most would pass right by and never know the delights within.  However, if you find yourself with the opportunity to step inside, I highly recommend it!  What will you find?  Local, fresh, and seasonal foods including water delights caught that morning.  My first visit to this location was on a complete fluke, but I was absolutely sold.  That trip found me diving...

Oh man, oh man!  The 2018 A-Z Blogging Challenge is just around the corner and it's time to reveal the theme of the month :) And, without further ado, I give you:  Noshing Your Way Through Oregon For the entire month of April I will be blogging about my favorite places to grab a bite, a pint, or a tasty treat in Oregon (specifically the western half of the state).  Why?  Because I like food.  It's universal and satisfying for the soul.  And it's my blog!  In return, feel free to share your favorite places to eat in your local area.  Or, if you've been to Oregon, feel free to share your favorite places to eat here.  It's a sharing and caring community! Don't know what the A-Z Blogging Challenge is?  Well, let me tell you!  Essentially, participants (hundreds!) spend the month of April (aside from Sundays...the much-coveted day of rest) blogging about their chosen topic in a corresponding day/letter format.  Day 1=A, Da...

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and it's a great way to share what you're loving in list form.  The topic changes every week, so there is always something new to discover! This week's topic is:  Top Ten Books That Mention Yummy Food .  Now, I'll be honest in that I don't read a lot of books that feature food or are set around food; some come to mind, but nothing to build a favorites list around.  Instead, I'm going with my favorite cookbooks :) Super late to the game but...in no particular order:   365 No Repeats: A Year of Deliciously Different Dinners by Rachael Ray Say what you want about Ray, this book is fantastic! Betty Crocker's Cookbook by Betty Crocker This. Is. The. Ultimate. Cookbook! Culinaria: Germany by Christine Metzger Includes wonderful histories on the regions and WHY certain foods are prevalent. The Jewish Mama's Kitchen: Authentic Homestyle Recipes by Denise Philli...

  This week's topic is:  Favorite Foods and a Recipe to Share Mmmm...food!  Let's be honest, this list could (literally) go on forever.  You could easily subcategorize several different foods, whether by ethnic traits, sweets, savory, spicy, and so on.  So, to keep things simple, I'm breaking it down like this:  Things I Like to Snack On and Main Dishes! Things I Like to Snack On Jalapeno Cheddar Cheetos Blue Diamond Rice Crackers (in a variety of flavors) Chili Cheese Fritos Hummus Dark Chocolate String Cheese Kit Kats Main Dishes Zucchini Bake BBQ...pretty much anything Fish Tacos (my uncle makes the BEST!) Soups...I love a good soup And A Recipe! This has become my go-to dinner recipe when we have company.  It's so good, really easy to make, and a crowd-pleaser.  It may look like it takes awhile, but it really doesn't! Creamy Chicken Enchiladas (mmmm) 1 lb Chicken Breast (cubed or shredded) 2 Cups C...

It's a beautifully sunny day here in Oregon...the perfect day to not be at work.  Alas.  I'm a little later than usual in my posting for today, but I have a good excuse :)  I spent most of my day stuffing envelopes at work (not a good excuse) and then giving away free books to promote literacy for World Book Night (a GREAT excuse).  I love this organization!  Check it out . Moving on to today's T inspired Oregon landmark... Tillamook Cheese Factory Oh, cheese.  Glorious cheese!  The Tillamook Cheese Factory is, fittingly, located in Tillamook, Oregon along the Oregon Coast and Highway 101.  Founded a little over 100 years ago, the Tillamook Cheese Factory is the 44th largest dairy in the US and is sold from coast to coast, though more so in the West.  Making everything from their signature cheese products to butter, ice cream, yogurt, and sour cream, the brand won the gold medal at the World Cheese Championship Cheese Competit...