GLUTEN-FREE As someone with celiac disease, there is nothing like the feeling of ordering whatever I want at a dedicated glutenfree kitchen like Jazzy Ladies Cafe. I don’t have to miss out on things like chicken and waffles or biscuits and gravy here. Watch a Ducks game without worry at Hot Mama’s Wings — the French fries have a dedicated fryer and the wings are always gluten-free. Braised is a food truck serving 100% gluten-free seasonal comfort food like pork or mushroom barbecue sandos. Nothing has gluten at Elegant Elephant Baking Co., including doughnuts, muffins, baguettes and New York-style bagels. — Melanie Griffin FOOD CARTS On a busy day in downtown Eugene, you can find me at Chaiyo Thai, ordering either the spicy cashew stir-fry or one of the delicious curries. A few other favorites are in the pod on 8th and Olive. Bing King is home to amazing Chinese dishes like the jianbing, a kind of savory crêpe served with a crispy fried wonton or fried dough. In that same pod, visit El Buen Sabor for a taste of Oaxacan cuisine. Its gorditas and sopes are some of my favorite quick and delicious lunches in the area. At the Southtowne Station foodcart pod, you’ll love the contemporary twist on Japanese street food at Dozo — think ramen, yakisoba and gyoza. — Stephen Hoshaw ZERO-PROOF DRINKS Walk into any of our region’s best restaurants today and you’ll likely find a menu that features alcohol-free adult beverages. Marché has a rotating selection of seasonal sodas that pair perfectly with a seasonally inspired food menu. I especially love the dry- or sweet-bitters options. If you can only sample one drink, head straight to Tavern on Main and order the Tavern Lemonade. It’s made of lemon, toasted-coconut syrup and the stuff dreams are made of. For a fully NA bar, head to High Street Tonics Nonalcoholic Bottle Shop & Tasting Lounge. The knowledgeable team can recommend zero-proof beers, wines and mocktail recipes, and the mixed drinks make it easy to try different combinations. Don’t miss the house-made tonics. Cheers! — Emily Forsha VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN The region is remarkably friendly toward vegans and vegetarians, and most places offer some form of vegetarian or vegan entree beyond salads. Morning Glory Café serves up one of the best breakfasts in town — with optional eggs and dairy. Try the Three Sisters, a mountain of potatoes and vegetables with herbed-tofu sour cream. I often head to Chacha’s Hawaiian Grill for the tempeh stir-fry with lava sauce, fried noodles and coconut-lime slaw. Lotus Garden serves incredible vegan Chinese food to go with a wide variety of meatlessprotein options. And don’t miss Acorn Community Cafe, a dedicated vegan cafe with a menu that changes with the seasons. Instead of tips, you have the option to pay any amount toward free meals for the community. For dessert head to Sweet Life Patisserie for egg- and dairy-free cakes, pies and pastries. — Julia Voigt COFFEE AND TEA Coffee lovers like me feel right at home in the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region, where you’re always surrounded by incredible coffee roasters and coffee shops to fit any mood. For an afternoon pick-me-up, head to Magpie at the 5th Street Public Market for a sweet treat and a caffeine fix. If I’m looking for a place to get some work done with a cappuccino and good vibes, I settle in at Farmers Union Coffee Roasters for the afternoon. The beans are sourced from small farms around the world. For something a little different, visit Portal Tea Company for a London Fog tea latte. On Springfield’s Main Street, try the seasonally inspired breakfast menu and excellent coffee in The Washburne Cafe’s cozy, exposed-brick space. In Florence a stop at River Roasters in Old Town is a must. With a riverfront deck overlooking the bridge, it’s the best place to spend time relaxing with a cup of chamomile. — Megan Temple LOCALS’ PICKS We turned to locals for the inside scoop on their favorite spots to eat and drink. Here are some of the region’s fantastic food carts, cafes and places to celebrate with a nonalcoholic drink, plus mouthwatering meals for every kind of specialized diet. WHERE TO EAT Travel Lane County | EugeneCascadesCoast.org | 541.484.5307 37 FOOD & DRINK Jazzy Ladies Cafe Marché Bing King Food Truck FROM LEFT: JOEY HAMILTON; MELANIE GRIFFIN (2)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==