Ethnic restaurants in the ashland/medford area? (Portland, Roseburg: appointed, hotels)

[newt]

Deezus said, "That's surprising..."

Not really. I've lived in a number of small towns that have really good eateries, on par with ones in big cities. And further, Ashland prides itself on being an "upscale" destination with fine dining. This is from the Chamber of Commerce site: "Ashland boasts 100 restaurants in a town of only slightly over 20,000 residents. Obviously, tourism affords the community with these amazing gastronomical selections."

[ExNooYawk]

Originally Posted by tito

I have moved recently to Ashland from Chicago. There we enjoy tasting different ethnic foods (Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Cuban, Hungarian, German, French, Italian, Moroccan, Libanese, Malasian, Indonesian, etc., etc.). Here in Ashland and in Medford, all the Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Mexican foods that I have tried have the same bland taste, with nothing etnic left on them. I have been told that there is a very small market for real ethnic food in the area and restaurants need to survive. Is that true?

Yup. I won't lie to you. We wait until we go on trips to NY, Portland or Seattle to eat great ethnic food.

[ExNooYawk]

Originally Posted by newt

We've lived in Ashland for over 3 years now, and have yet to find a restaurant that would compare, even remotely, to typical good ones in cities like Chicago, NY, or San Fransico. Many passable places, but nothing memorable. All "bland" as the original poster stated. The local Italian restaurant that everyone raves about for some reason, Pasta Piatti, is abysmal, in my opinion.

It is nice to know that someone besides my DH and I feel that way about Pasta Piatti. Never again!
Omar's Steakhouse? Fuhggedaboudit.
The restaurants here in Ashland are overpriced, imo. People talk about The Peerless like it's Le Cirque but c'mon, ten bucks for a martini? Also never again.
I hate to say it because we like our newly adopted town but we rarely visit restaurants here.
We do like Rosco's for pretty good ribs on the 99 in Phoenix, though.

[newt]

Omar's (oh my g..). Everybody raves about that pit, too. Completely agree with you. Thanks for the tip about Rosco's. If a NY'er likes a restaurant, it's got to be good!

[Hawk J]

We like Papa Murphy Pizza,Grants Pass.

& breakfast at first restaurant rightside going into Merlin.

Chicken fried steak at "Heaven On Earth" off I-5 south of Azalea...also biggun cinnamon rolls, apple butter,etc

Great burgers, take Glendale offramp, across the bridge, by gas sttation,
Country Junction Cafe

541-787-5355

[Deezus]

Originally Posted by newt

Deezus said, "That's surprising..."

Not really. I've lived in a number of small towns that have really good eateries, on par with ones in big cities. And further, Ashland prides itself on being an "upscale" destination with fine dining. This is from the Chamber of Commerce site: "Ashland boasts 100 restaurants in a town of only slightly over 20,000 residents. Obviously, tourism affords the community with these amazing gastronomical selections."

Why'd you move to Ashland then and not one of those towns?? Should've done your research..tsk tsk.

[newt]

We're just talking about restaurants, Deezus. There's a lot more to life than dining out. Are you an Ashland realtor or something? You're awfully sensitive.

[Steve97415]

Whatever Ashland's culinary status compared to the world's major cosmopolitan cities, it is the Paris of the State of Jefferson. If you lived (and dined) in Brookings, Roseburg, Gold Beach, White City, Reedsport, Cave Junction, Coos Bay or anyplace else in the region, you'd make a special point of eating there whenever you were passing through.

[esya]

Well I have had great seafood in many of those beachside towns, and there is a surprisingly good pan-Asian place in Coos Bay. The Mexican food might be good in Woodside, check out the unfortunately negative comments about the culture there , but I ate it in Salem and it was horrible. Although there is good sushi in Salem.

As for south central Oregon? It has never appealed to me and the "Papa Murphy's Pizza" as a highlight sort of wraps it up for me. I am not "from" a culinary epicenter but I've eaten my way through a lot of places. What's so great about eating out? That's easy--you don't have to prep, cook, clear or clean up like you've done for a family of 5 for 35 years!

[Hawk J]

Originally Posted by esya

Well I have had great seafood in many of those beachside towns, and there is a surprisingly good pan-Asian place in Coos Bay. The Mexican food might be good in Woodside, check out the unfortunately negative comments about the culture there , but I ate it in Salem and it was horrible. Although there is good sushi in Salem.

As for south central Oregon? It has never appealed to me and the "Papa Murphy's Pizza" as a highlight sort of wraps it up for me. I am not "from" a culinary epicenter but I've eaten my way through a lot of places. What's so great about eating out? That's easy--you don't have to prep, cook, clear or clean up like you've done for a family of 5 for 35 years!

If you ask me, sushi is fishin' bait.