What does the restaurant market look like in Corvallis? (Monroe: condo, organic)

[aprilg]

Curious about the restaurant market in Corvallis...Where we're at is mostly chains and it has all bit killed any small businesses (unless they're mexican food). I have heard there are some smaller places there, and I would like to know what types of cuisine they offer. Can anyone give me a heads up? Thanks!

[nanannie]

You might check another great forum called "TRIP ADVISOR".If you do a search for Oregon ,and then Corvallis,they have all the restaraunts listed and rated by diners.Its a very helpful site for things like that

[jjpop]

There are quite a few independent restaurants here. I think for a city of our size we do pretty well with the independents and the lack of major chains, but once our population topped 50,000 a couple of years ago we must have appeared on some list because the chains are beginning to find Corvallis and are moving in. Ignoring fast food chains (which Corvallis has always had) we have a Ruby Tuesday which is frequently busy, and an Applebee's is soon to open. Noah's Bagels has been in town for a few years and is quite popular. Also a few "Northwest-specific" chains such as Elmer's and Shari's (both coffee shops).

But back to the independent restaurants. The big ones, both in terms of number of tables, regular clientele, and $$$$ are Big River (northwest cuisine), Iovino's (Italian), Magenta (French-Asian), Le Bistro (French) and Wildfire (northwest). There's a small Vietnamese sandwich shop called Baguette, an Indian restaurant called Evergreen, Bombs Away Cafe (Latin-American influenced), American Dream Pizza and Woodstocks Pizza. Nearly Normals is a vegetarian restaurant which has a loyal following. Oasis is a Lebanese restaurant with great shishkebab. Bakeries include the French bakery Le Patissier and New Morning Bakery, both of which offer light meals. Old World Deli is also quite a fixture and quite popular. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few of the smaller places.

One word of advice from someone who has lived here for 10 years: I've seen more than one place open at the beginning of summer only to go out of business at the end of summer. This is because of the exodus of OSU students. The city is smaller and quieter during the summer, and business can really slow down.

Hope this helps! Good luck--there are a lot of foodies here who are always looking for a new place to dine.

[aprilg]

Thanks for the info! I really appreciate it! It is our hope to open a place when we are settled. We plan to keep everything local and, hopefully, build a loyal local clientel!

[DavePautsch]

There's also the Thai restaurant on Monroe too; Local Boyz (Hawaiiian); Old World Deli downtown...
Dave

[rossib]

Ive lived in Corvallis 30 years if you had asked this only 7 years ago you could count on one hand. Today, they have developed the river front. Where food and spirits thrive. Heading down the river....Big River: local foods, beers, wine, good music and packs them in. The newest. 101, a gourmet sports, lots of flat screen tv's up above your head, a bar with big tapas and a great martini bar. Clound 9: another great tapas/martini bar/local beers place, good music. Sahalies: wonderful serene wine bar with great local music,especially smooth jazz. Known for thier fondues. The owners use only local organic foods and beer....large wine menu. The Bistro: French cuisene . Iovinos: in the bottom of the new riverfront condo buildings..wonderful large stacked seating with a large martini bar..music etc..the place to be seen. Majenta on 2nd: beautiful vietnamese/french martini bar with fire place and incredable 4.00 appetizers. Most of these independents use non processed foods and try to stick to lour local organic market in veggies cheese and meats.
OSU campus has many independent ethnic and fun restaurants that are great: Thai, Korean,mexican,Tex Mex like Bombs Away, many more..yes old Corvallis is blooming. Ive bartended 32 years here and yes we have many slowmo nights and months, but we hang in.