Eugene, OR: what's worth seeing

Malmo, which watering holes would you recommend?

eugene 08 wrote:

Malmo, which watering holes would you recommend?

Haven't been there in a while so who knows what's still open or what's new that has value? I was always partial to live music, that meant Good Times, and Eugene institutions like Max's (a "must do" dive bar) and Taylors (where John Belushi first picked up his heroin habit). Taylors ain't what it used to be and hasn't been for a long time. I think that Sam Bonds fills some of the music scene now.

Any of the McMenamins are fine for grub and suds, but the ambiance is contrived in a Starbucks kind of way. Steelhead is a better bet.

It will be interesting to see what the poker scene is like now. In Oregon, it's always been legal for municipalities to permit poker in bars. With the poker fad of 2003 and a massive increase in fresh meat, it will be interesting to see exactly how things have changed.

If you want beer, The Bier Stein on 11th and Mill has over 800 labels of beer, pretty impressive.

Thanks, Malmo and Kaz, for the suggestions.

When I was there last summer about half of the trail needed some serious renovating. A lot of the woodchips were gone from big sections of the trail. If the trail were all woodchip like in its heyday it would be sweet. But now its fair at best.

That's the name. Sorry I got it mixed up. Good beer and good food. When I was there last summer and Eugene was experencing some 103 degree days, it was a nice oasis to go to in the afternoon.

Saturday is the XO Invite, one of the best high school meets in the country,, definitely worth seeing if you're in town for the marathon... gotta see a track meet at Hayward when you're in Tracktown... marathon participants also get a buck off admission

pre841 wrote:

4) Head to the coast (1.5 hour drive) for clam chowder at Mo's in Florence

You'll be plenty carbo loaded with these stops.

I didn't like the chowder at Mo's. Wasn't worth all the hype we saw on the billboards driving in on US 101. Doesn't hold a candle to the chowder I had at Legal Sea Food in Boston last weekend.

Florence is a beautiful little town though. Lots of great coffee shops. And the drive between Florence and Eugene on Highway 126 is SPECTACULAR if you are a driving "enthusiast." I had my crappy rental at the time, but the twisty, turny, hilly roads were an absolute blast to drive. Rent something small and nimble if you can.

We were thinking of spending the two rest days out at the coast -- sounds like Florence would be good spot. Other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

pre841 wrote:

1) Catch a dinner at Mazzi's, which is out by the Amazon chip trail near South Eugene H.S.

2) Eugene Running Company, which is

3) In the sam complex as a Trader Joe's, which is

3) Just down the street from a Ben & Jerry's

4) Head to the coast (1.5 hour drive) for clam chowder at Mo's in Florence

5) Breakfast at the Original Pancake House (down Franklin Blvd. from the U of O) or at Humble Bagel (over by South Eugene H.S

You'll be plenty carbo loaded with these stops.

As a big, Pre fan, is there any runners bar or place with good pictures and memorabillla to look at? Wasn't there a bar called the Sub 4 that had some good stuff, once upon a time?

I would look at

www.goducks.com

for places to run. There is a trail section on the track site. Also, contact Oregon's SID. I know he is a big runner and will know where to go around Eugene for some of the better trails.

Get wasted and go to Rennie's Landing. College bar with decent food and drunk 19-year olds.

Stay clear of any street less than 8th.

I assume that the streets 'less than 8th st', (1st thru 7th), are the seedy, more dangerous areas where a meth-head might rob you? thx for the warning.

Track Town Pizza has all the memorbilia, the food is so-so at best, actually most of Eugene's dining is mediocre.

Buy hey...its Eugene.

Mazzi's (Italian) is fair and there are 2-3 decent Thai places, there used to be a good low-brow taco stand around 6th and Blair, don't know if it's still there. Come to think of it, there is a really good middle eastern (Syrian) place in the basement of the 5th street market.

If you're gonne drink, it's basically Max's and the Pad, unless you like average micro brews.

I lived on 8th and got my car stolen and found a day later three blocks down with the stereo ripped out and my running shoes stolen. I told the cop to look for an 18-year old male wearing Asics 2080s.

Forgot to add, see a show at WOW Hall if you are into the indie scene. Lots of good bands make a pit stop there when traveling up an down the West Coast.

WOW Hall! Good call, I saw so many great bands there back in the 80's... Captain Beefheart, Meat Puppets, Black Flag, Circle Jerks, DOA, JFA, Poison Idea, Queen Ida, Husker Du, The Replacements, The Cramps, so many more, yea... good times.

eugene 08 wrote:

We were thinking of spending the two rest days out at the coast -- sounds like Florence would be good spot. Other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

On the coast, there's the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. Keiko the whale (Free Willy) used to be there, but has since died.

The two rest days fall on my birthday, which is very convenient, but I don't know what we'll be doing. Anyone have any ideas other than the usual going out to eat?

alpha wrote:

Track Town Pizza has all the memorbilia, the food is so-so at best, actually most of Eugene's dining is mediocre.

Buy hey...its Eugene.

If you're gonne drink, it's basically Max's and the Pad, unless you like average micro brews.

You couldn't be more wrong. For a City of its size, Eugene has a surprisingly quality diverse restaurant scene.

The Pad? You can't be serious?

Im trying to remember the name of the breakfast at the Original House of Pancakes. It took a long time to bake and it was cinnamon and apples I believe. It was huge, but it filled the hole after a long Sunday morning run after a meet. Someone will remember.

As for me, my dream is to go to the trials in '08 and have Eugene be the city/track etc. that it was in the late 70's. All the friends, beer joints, etc. Kind of like a trackie Field of Dreams. The new stadium etc. looks nice, but I want it to be like the posters of PRe in the '70's. Just a fantasy.

Pretty much everything they make is huge (and delicious), but I think you are referring to the "Dutch Baby". Personally, I prefer the "Ever-popular Larry."

[quote]Memories wrote:

Im trying to remember the name of the breakfast at the Original House of Pancakes. It took a long time to bake and it was cinnamon and apples I believe. It was huge, but it filled the hole after a long Sunday morning run after a meet. Someone will remember.

[quote]