Oregon Eats - Elk Horn Brewery

Image via Elk Horn Brewery Facebook

While I was in Eugene last weekend I really wanted to visit some of their best local spots. I was hoping to get to a few new restaurants, try some local brews, and really get a feel for the city.

One place that did not disappoint was Elk Horn Brewery.

I had driven past it a couple of times on my way to campus, it is on a busy corner, has an eye-catching sign, and a great patio. I instantly knew I wanted to go.

Saturday night after the big Oregon vs. Washington football game we were starving and ready to chill for a bit. We thought that Elk Horn would be the perfect spot - and boy were we right!

House made cider! 

The ambiance there is great, energetic staff greet you and are super knowledgeable about the beers on tap. They have a wide range for any drinker, I ended up with their house made crisp apple cider. I was also able to taste a couple of their other drinks too and they all were great.

Excuse my brother on the left! Just had to get an interior shot! 

They have some standing tables and big TVs to watch while you wait to be seated. There is a lot to look at, animals on the walls, the cooks in the kitchen (the kitchen reminded me of one at summer camp, super open and industrial), and these fabulous antler chandeliers.

Fantastic menu! 

Seriously how good does this Chicken and Waffles look?

Once we got our table on the patio (that had a fire pit and Edison light bulbs  running in the trees (adorbs).  The menu looked so good we didn't know what to order,  everything looked great! My mom and I decided to ditch our diet and we ordered the jalapeño hushpuppies and pork skins, both choices were great! Pork skins were nice and crunchy and the hushpuppies  were extremely flavorful.

If you ever find yourself in Eugene, Oregon please go to Elk Horn! They have only been open for a couple of months and would love the support!

-A

AKA Loves BURGERS

To celebrate 4th of July eve or what I guess we can call July 3rd we thought we would serve up some of our fave burger spots around these here United States. Most people will be eating burgers this weekend, and if your not grilling up your own why not try a few of our faves, enjoy!

Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers: With multiple locations across the Bay Area and a plentiful lists of burgers, fries and milkshakes you really can't go wrong at Barney's. Any burger can be made with beef, turkey, chicken, salmon patty or a veggie patty. There really is something for everyone here. And did I mention that everything is delicious, because it is!

Barney's curly fries are incedible

Bare Back Grill: One of Kira's favorite spots to grab a beer and a burger in San Diego. Great menu and a fun atmosphere only add to the fun vibe and delicious food. Good place to just chill and grab a pitcher with friends. The PB location is super close to the beach too!

In-N-Out Burger: How can we talk about burgers (and be in Cali) and not talk about In-N-Out? Seriously the best late night/lunch time/anytime burgers. Ashley loves her's with grilled onions and no tomatoes and Kira is a fan of the not so secret menu grilled cheese. And how can you go wrong with Animal Fries?

Image via Trip Advisor

Lindy's on 4th: Ashley's fave burger place in the Dirty-T! Tucson's very own Lindy's on 4th is a spot that should not be missed. It's a small place that's open late and has been featured on Man vs. Food! The 'Mac and Cheese burger' that is topped with Kraft Mac and Cheese, is one of the most popular burgers.

Image via Lindy's on 4th

The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden: One of Kira's favorite meals in Nashville had to be at The Pharmacy. Old school vibe with malts and phosphates but presented with a modern flair. Eat on the back deck with a turkey burger in one hand and a strawberry ginger phosphate in the other, perfection.

Yo Mama's Bar & Grill: The name alone gets your attention, and the food will too. Great spot tucked away in the hustle & bustle of New Orleans French Quarter. This place is really more of a bar setting, dark and smoky but the burgers are quality. Oh and there bathrooms are outrageous, must sneak a peek in the ladies and the mens!

-A&K

NOLA: FOOOOD

I spent last week in New Orleans with my friend Neda and it was amazing! The short story is I fell in love with the city; the people, the music, the food. Oh my goodness the food, I basically ate the entire time and could not have been happier.

Off top I'll say NOLA is not catered toward vegetarians at all. Pescatarians however will have a field day, I ate a different kind of seafood everyday. There is a ton of great restaurants with great food every where. It's hard to go wrong food wise, but the options can be overwhelming so here's a list of some really yummy finds, enjoy!

Golden delicious beignets

Cafe du Monde: In French Quarter, open 24/7, must eat the beignets and then eat more beignets!

Powdered sugar for daysss

Cajun Seafood: Multiple locations, local spot that is cheap and delicious. Great place to grab a Po Boy and a beer outside of the touristy areas.

Blue Oak BBQ: Two locations, one on Canal St and the one we went to inside Chickie Wah Wah, a great bar/ music lounge in Midcity. The food was so delicious and well priced. I had the amazing zesty Gulf Shrimp Tacos and Neda had the Beef Brisket Platter. The sides are killer too, must try the brussel sprouts.

Blue Oak serving up some tasty treats! Photo via Blue Oak BBQ

K-Paul's: In French Quarter: We heard they had the best bread pudding in town so of course we had to check it out. It was delicious! Fancier spot so if you want to eat inside throw on your Sunday best. Or you can just get the bread pudding to go like we did!

Royal House: In the French Quarter: The windows open like doors so its beautiful and breezy, they also have great balcony seating upstairs. Must try: Shrimp Creole and the Cucumber Mango Mojito.

Delicious Shrimp Creole at Royal House

Tout de Suite Cafe: On Algiers Point, just a quick ferry ride from downtown. This place was super cute and sweet. Great place for Sunday brunch, you must have the grits! They are amazing (esp if your hungover).

Yo Mama's Bar & Grill: In French Quarter, delicious burgers and ri-dick-ulous bathrooms, literally. They are covered with naked folks! Bar set up + the bathrooms = not a family spot but definitely fun.

Fair Grinds Coffehouse: Great coffeehouse in MidCity, voted #1 coffee in New Orleans by Gambit. It's out of the hustle and bustle and serves up a great chai latte. You can quietly work inside or chat outside on their deck. There's also a great little park across the street that Neda and I sipped and strolled through.

Fair Grinds and fair trade

Writing this up has made me so hungry, hope your inspired to try some of these places! I definitely enjoyed eating at all of them. Stay tuned next week as I'll be sharing more from my NOLA trip including great music and other spots to hit up!

-K

Drink it up!

When you first turn 21 going to a bar can be both exciting and a little daunting. What do I order? How do I order? What are some good drinks? Well here is a go-to guide for drinking out at bars and restaurants!

Dive Bar

When you go to your local dive bar think of a couple simple drinks to make your signature. Most of the time a spirt (like Vodka, Gin, or Rum) mixed with soda, juice, or tonic water is the way to go. Our go to favorites include gin and tonic, rum and coke, rum and ginger ale, and vodka cranberry. When ordering, the bartender might ask you what type of alcohol you want (top shelf, well, or a specific brand). We always go with well, it is the cheapest, but still tastes just as good. Additionally, a beer is always a good way to go at your local bar, see if they have any local brews on tap.

Swanky Evening 

If you are headed to a nicer bar with friends for a special occasion it is nice to have a go-to special drink. Ashley's go to drink is a cosmopolitan, while Kira's is a mojito. If you are at a nicer bar many bartenders can create you a special drink.  Just tell them your favorite liquor or taste. Kira likes rum and ginger, or some thing fresh or springy (think basil, mint, cucumber). These simple suggestions can lead a great bartender to a make you a great drink.

Restaurant Drinking 

If you are going to a restaurant first check if there is happy hour. See if they have any specials, sometimes certain restaurants will offer 1/2 off a glass of wine on certain days, or pitcher specials. It is always good to ask about specials as many waiters will not always bring it up. Lastly, think about the restaurant and what their specialty is, at an Italian restaurant they will have great wine, when you're at pub probably some great beer, many restaurants will also have seasonal cocktails you can take advantage of. Keep in mind what you are eating at the restaurant as well as you'll want to pair your drink.

A night out at District in Oakland

-A&K