Palmer's Cafe — Restaurant in Bend

I will speak of Palmers as a nomad speaks of Water in the Sahara, as a moth speaks of a Candle Flame, as a lost traveler speaks of Home.

I was alone in a strange city. Tired and hungry, I had not slept well. The hotel bed was hard as rock, the heater wonky and the altitude gave me wild unsettling dreams. Finding a good place for what would be my main meal of the day with an important and somewhat nerve wracking meeting looming was a daunting task and I ending up choosing Palmers because it was close. I can get lost in the endless Google rabbit hole, digging through the minutiae of culinary offerings, but with time running out, I just gave up and went for close.

The very instant I walked in the and was greeted by one the biggest most authentic smiles I’ve seen in years I knew I’d stumbled into the right place. When I sat down and a 4’2” grinning elf wearing a beanie brought me my silverware I almost fell out of my chair and I thought… Family.

I got this scramble thing with no egg, just lots of potato and meat and veggies and cheese and stuff and you know, I almost cried because I don’t like eggs and very few places have many options for people like me. And the servers were wonderful and the the owner was wonderful and the whole place felt like a big happy family and I’d kill to have a place like this near where I live!

The scramble thing was crunchy and savory and they supplied all the condiments and it was all perfect. It might be a long time before I make it back over the pass, but when I do I can’t wait to try the Reuben sandwich. I hear tell it’s amazing!

I’m fact… if I open my hand and stare fixedly at the lines I see there, I can see Palmers...

Palmers is back! We’ve ordered take out the last two weekends. I loved the veggie omelette so much I ordered it both weekends. My signif other had an ABC omelette last week and the country scramble this week. The veggies were delicious, fresh tasting, my request to go light on the cheese was accommodated. The avocados were ripe and fresh and generous portioned too! The employee who answers the phone both weekends sounds like a really nice person. Her energy was warm and almost bubbly! Going in to pick up order was fast. In and out in under a couple of mins. The time for order to be ready was estimated 15-20mins both weekends and food was ready when we arrived. We are stoked this restaurant is back up and running! There was no debating today about what to have for breakfast unlike most other weekends. In fact I said last night let’s get Palmers for breakfast tomorrow! Thanks for the awesome service, the generous portions of yummy and fresh made food. Thanks for having sourdough, my fave toast! Thanks for the kick butt staff who make it a breeze to order, pick up and pack utensils so we can eat at the park at the butte instead of waiting til we get all the way...

DOWNGRADED RANKING FROM FIVE STARS

Today's experience was terrible. Giant chunks of dry crumbled potato completely unseasoned. RAW pork sausage. Greasy bacon. Flavorless bacon. Bad service. NO OFFER TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT. WE ARE DONE COMING HERE.

SAME THE LAST TWO TIMES.

OLD REVIEW The Good- This place still wants to be a secret (see photo😃), but I asked permission to post a steller review, as this place is fantastic. Moved to this city a few weeks ago, and been eating breakfast out every day. This place is at the very top. Everything is made from scratch (the biscuits are amazing, though could use a dash of salt) and delicious. We ordered eggs several different ways to test, and all were textbook. Good Bloody Marys with garlic-stuffed olives (yum!). The staff is as friendly as they look in my photo. Prices fine. Highly recommend.

The Bad- Got the ribeye on my second visit, but it was the wrong cut and not cooked well. Had to send back food twice in total, but still worth it over the timew we've come!

The Tip- Take a walk in the PALMER BATHROOM...