McMenamins O'Kanes — Restaurant in Bend

I've visited McMenamins O'Kanes on quite a few occasions. Always found the food and service pretty good for an Irish Tavern. Decided to try them for St. Patrick's to get a "traditional" Corned Beef, Cabbage and Potatoes meal. What a huge disappointment.

The Corned Beef and Cabbage meal originated during a time of abject poverty among the Irish, with most performing manual labor for sub pare wages. The cut of beef used to make Corned Beef was considered scrap and could be purchased at a very low price. The ingenuity of the Irish to turn this cut into something flavorful and palatable speaks volumes to their perseverance during harsh times. Traditionally, the meal was prepared in the morning with the meat, cabbage and potatoes put in a pot in the morning over a dwindling flame (The Irish did not have a lot of fuel for heat and cooking). In the evening when they came home the meal would be ready. Basically, they cooked the hell out of it and when the main ingredients were gone they still had a broth for the next meal.

The meal I had at McMenamins O'Kanes was nowhere near what I would consider traditional. The cabbage was hard and had to be cut with a steak knife and the potatoes/carrots were undercooked. The Corned Beef was good and flavorful, but somewhat dry. There was no broth, as it was served on a plate instead of a bowl (again, traditionally served that way). I'm just amazed that an establishment that touts to be an Irish Tavern couldn't even create the traditional poor man's...

They did it again! Another gem by the McMenamins brothers. Lots of fire pits that were well tended and burning hot. Drink prices were good, especially for Bend. There is cigar smoking (and cigarette I assume as well) allowed here so be warned, if you don't like smoke, don't go. They sell cigars as well so if you don't have one, you're in luck. They also serve food from somewhere inside the main building. I didn't eat, but can only imagine it's the normal overpriced McMenamins not so great food. But hey, I never go to a McMenamins expecting good eats. Just a cool ambiance with cool stuff to look at and talk about. And O'Kanes doesn't disappoint on that front! Definitely recommend for a beverage and a cigar...

We went there on a cold November evening to have drinks and cigars with friends. It was cold!!! As cold inside as it was outside. The inside seating area was dark and cold. The drinks were great and being able to enjoy a cigar was great. But…. Closing the door and stoking the wood stove (which was an amazing piece to see) would have kept us there for longer than one cigar and a couple drinks. This was our first time in O’Kanes, and I’m sure it’s a great place in the summer. But it was not as good as it could have been. I will go back and give it another try...