Bend Brewing Company — Restaurant in Bend

We rarely leave poor reviews online, especially when aspects of our experience were positive, and instead reach out to share our feedback directly. Unfortunately, however, after well over a dozen attempts to reach a member of the management team by phone without success (no answer and no ability to leave a message), this appears to be our only option. First, what we liked: the atmosphere, the outdoor toilets, and our waitress, Leslie. Second, what we didn't like: the quality and quantity of our meals for the price we paid, the misrepresentation of what we ordered from the menu and what was delivered to our table, and the inconsistency of one add on item requested for both meals but only received on one. I'll explain.

The outdoor vibe is great - casual, relaxed, and welcoming. We stopped in upon arriving in Bend prior to opening and, after perusing the menu, were excited to return for lunch. Our only complaint? The previously warm crew was radically different under the "stress" of a busy lunch rush and became annoyed by a few simple process questions when they'd previously answered more questions without any issues. No problem; we could deal with that. Upon being seated, our waitress was friendly and accommodating, and even brought out a pitcher of water after we mentioned that we wanted to stay hydrated. Very cool.

We ordered the Black Bean Burger (sauce and caramelized onions on the side, add fresh onions please) with a salad upgrade and the Tri Tip Sandwich with coleslaw (add fresh onion and tomato please). No drinks. Our bill: $39 and change + tip. 😳 The size of the burger, while tasty, was paltry at best - so small that a child would still be hungry, super mushy and no real substance + no sauce on the side and no fresh onions. The best part? The add-on salad for just $1 (definitely the best deal of the day!). The Tri Tip, especially priced at $22, was miniscual and the meat was so tough, it really couldn't be eaten as a sandwich; it did have fresh onion, but zero chimichurri and very little tomato (the upcharge was $.50). When we asked why there was fresh onion on one and not the other, the response from the kitchen: we don't have fresh onions. Okay... that's weird.

All-in-all, especially after trying to reach the restaurant to talk through the details, we feel like tourists who were taken advantage of over the holiday weekend with no real concern for the value of our dollar or our overall experience. No one ever answered the phone and the directions to speak to a live person sent us into phone landia with a voicmail box so full it couldn't accept any messages. Hmmm... I wonder why? Perhaps we're not alone.

Final note. We NEVER mind paying good money for good food, ever. Especially on vacation. In fact, we plan for it. But this was far, far, far less than a "good" culinary outing, so all we can say is this: Enjoy the cool outdoor riverside seating but order cautiously and eat at your own risk. With so many amazing restaurants to choose from in Bend, we will definitely not be returning and certainly cannot recommend Bend Brewing Company to others in good conscience.

PS: Big kuddos to the company that provides the outdoor restrooms... they were amazing: clean, scented, and beautifully decordated with music playing. Wowza. They definitely deserve 5...

Not a great experience. We were there on a Sunday afternoon around 3pm, having been driving for about 5 hours. After walking around the lovely park we were looking forward to a cold beverage and some tapas. Their outdoor seating and proximity to the water looked wonderful.The hostess met us outdoors and that's the first time we found out if we were not "dining" than we had to sit on the grass. There was a parking lot full of tables and couldn't sit there either....... And we had to go inside to order our beverages and tapas.....okay.... We saw some outside seating on the deck and asked if we could sit there....Nope, not unless we are eating. So we go inside, order beverages and decide on Nachos....we are then informed that there is an abbreviated menu for tapas unless you are dining in....good grief. We order Tater Tots.....get our beverages and head outside with one of those lighted beepers, found a couple of chairs and sat down and enjoyed our beverages....consumed the entire beverage (about 25 minutes) and as we were getting up to check on our food the beeper went off. They were ready....we asked for them to go, which they accommodated, however we found them to be cold, not hot, not warm....cold. They offered to replace them....no thank you. Not sure if all these seemingly weord policies have anything to do with covid, but it seemed that they really only want diners, which seemed odd to us, as they are a brewing company. I'm sure we will find a better place, without all the...

The moment I stepped into Bend Brewing Company, I knew I was in the right place. The cozy atmosphere and the attention to detail evident in the decor immediately drew me in. One of the first things I noticed was the absence of salt and pepper on the table. It was a clear indication that the kitchen took pride in their seasoning.

I started my meal with a refreshing huckleberry ginger cider from the Bend Cider Company. It was a delightful combination of sweet and tart, with a hint of spice. For my main course, I opted for a half portion of fish and chips. The batter was light and crispy, with a subtle beer flavor that complemented the flaky fish perfectly. I was particularly impressed by the homemade tartar sauce, which featured a delightful tang of tarragon.

As I watched other dishes being served, I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. Everything looked incredibly appetizing. While the coleslaw was simple, it was still enjoyable. I could taste the subtle flavors of milk, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of salt in the creamy dressing. It was a refreshing accompaniment to the hearty fish and chips.

Overall, my experience at Bend Brewing Company was fantastic. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was inviting, and the service was friendly. It's a place I would definitely recommend to anyone...