Showing your family around Eugene this weekend will pose countless questions: What to see first? A walk around campus or a hike up the butte? Shopping or going to a show?
But, just as important among all these: Where to eat?
Lucky for University students, their school is nestled in a city lined with a wide variety of highly acclaimed restaurants.
For students who want to give their visiting families an all-around sampling of the taste of Eugene, a few eateries stand out as both affordable and delectable.
Glenwood Campus Cafe, sitting right across from campus, has proven itself a favorite with students for its distinct Eugene character, its affordable entrees and simply the “best breakfast in town,” according to Eugene Weekly reviews.
Breakfast at the Glenwood is always a crowded affair. Where else could you start off a weekend morning around the University campus on the right foot? From fluffy, veggie egg scrambles to biscuits and gravy, this cafe knows how to serve breakfast, and it serves it all day long.
Glenwood prices are hard to beat as well, ranging from around $4 to $7 for a brunch with all the fixings. It is located on 13th Avenue and Alder Street.
The Glenwood appeals to the student population “because of its unique atmosphere — it’s friendly and casual,” Glenwood manager Mike Gann said.
Another great option is the newly renovated Collier House in the center of campus, on 13th Avenue and University Street.
When lunchtime brings weariness and grumbling stomachs for you and your family, no spot on campus is more eager to prove that it’s open for a refresher than the Collier House. Newly restructured, its Victorian-style great room is decked with coral-colored walls and mini-chandeliers, filled with white linen tables and the smell of salads, sandwiches and warm pastas.
Since its re-opening, University faculty has made up most of the Collier House’s patronage. However, Kim, a server, otherwise known as “the bread lady,” admits to standing out on the restaurant’s front lawn with warm French bread, enticing more students to come by and sample their lunches.
The Collier House is only open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily — a limited time to take advantage of this inexpensive, nostalgic getaway. Suggested is the popular entree smoked salmon fettucini for $7. Sandwiches accompanied by salads or soups and fresh fruit run from $6 to $7. The Collier House’s head chef, Donald Burton, encourages everyone to come in for the “imperial experience.”
The Fifth Street Market District provides dozens of delicious selections also, and standing above the rest is Mekala’s Thai Restaurant.
Mekala’s offers many different delicacies to entice the multicultural appetite of the family. A smaller dining room with a few ornate oriental decorations draws you into the ambience of Mekala’s, cajoling you and your hungry family to order some of those crispy Thai spring rolls. Follow this up with a little family-style sharing as you sample their spicy curry dishes and savory ginger pork — the perfect intimate dinner setting as you fill in your family members on that eventful college life of yours.
Prices here are pleasing, too. Appetizers average $7, while dinner entrees range from $8 to $16.
Jessica Burmaster, a freshman at the University, plans to stop into Mekala’s with her family as they tour the city.
“This is some of the best Thai food I’ve ever had,” she said.
So, grab those forks and napkins — and don’t worry too much about your wallet. These three picks are all places where you can smilingly grab the bill away from your parents and say, “It’s on me!”
Keep in mind, however, that these three are only the beginning, as Eugene is brimming with quality gourmet restaurants.