I like visiting small towns because of their unique character but when I vist them I usually end up eating in coffee houses or fast food joints. Know of anything different in the Palouse?

There is a Mexican place downtown. Don't recall the name, ask anyone they should point you in the right direction. Can't say it impressed one way or the other, it was 3 years ago. I'm going to say typical of Mexican in WA...many things are the "plate o cheese". Rancho Viejo, maybe?

may be the worst place in the free world to find good eats or anyting else desirable. Outside of town can look quite nice to eye during certain seasons, but Pullman is as dumpy as the City of Berkeley, w/o all the the benefits Berkeley offers (such as great places to eat).

oskirules;688161 said:

---

I like visiting small towns because of their unique character but when I vist them I usually end up eating in coffee houses or fast food joints. Know of anything different in the Palouse?

---

When visiting a new town try to hit up a place that has menu the reflects the local ingredients and tastes. Have cod in Boston, BBQ in Texas, Cajun in New Orleans, chile relleno in Santa Fe and so on. Unless you have it on good authority that the place is AWESOME (and it CAN happen) do not attempt cuisine that's too daring for the locale using ingredients which are not obtained locally. This means do not have sushi in Nebraska and do not have Mexican in Washington - especially in a small town. A quick glance at Yelp says the Black Cypress does farm to table, although the Mediterranean-inspired dishes cause me some trepidation. I'd look for somewhere that does salmon, ling cod, and shellfish (an oyster bar) or else some sort of Washington state beef (steakhouse?) if any such establishment exists near Pullman. I would veer away from ethnic cuisine.

If you're looking for cuisine that reflects the local ingredients around Pullman, stick with lentils and beans.

dimitrig;690567 said:

---

When visiting a new town try to hit up a place that has menu the reflects the local ingredients and tastes. Have cod in Boston, BBQ in Texas, Cajun in New Orleans, chile relleno in Santa Fe and so on. Unless you have it on good authority that the place is AWESOME (and it CAN happen) do not attempt cuisine that's too daring for the locale using ingredients which are not obtained locally. This means do not have sushi in Nebraska and do not have Mexican in Washington - especially in a small town. A quick glance at Yelp says the Black Cypress does farm to table, although the Mediterranean-inspired dishes cause me some trepidation. I'd look for somewhere that does salmon, ling cod, and shellfish (an oyster bar) or else some sort of Washington state beef (steakhouse?) if any such establishment exists near Pullman. I would veer away from ethnic cuisine.

---

Well, truth be told, Washington, especially that region of WA has a very high percentage hispanic population, as does most or rural Oregon. Lots and lots of agriculture. So while I can't vouch for this place, it isn't inconceivable for there to be good Mexican food in Pullman. I think I went to the place someone mentioned above.....I recall it being a decent place to hang out after the game; average Mexican food, good Margaritas...

BeaverDreams;690804 said:

---

Well, truth be told, Washington, especially that region of WA has a very high percentage hispanic population, as does most or rural Oregon. Lots and lots of agriculture. So while I can't vouch for this place, it isn't inconceivable for there to be good Mexican food in Pullman. I think I went to the place someone mentioned above.....I recall it being a decent place to hang out after the game; average Mexican food, good Margaritas...

---

Lots of our country has a high percentage of Hispanics these days as they move north to work on farms and in construction, but that doesn't mean you'd want to eat Mexican food in those places unless you went to someone's home to eat and even then only if he happened to be a good cook. I have eaten Mexican food in Washington and Oregon and in my experience it is as dreadful as one might expect. Heck, even the average place in the Bay Area isn't all that great. (Mission-style burritos? For real?)


However, more to my point, why would someone with access to lots of good Mexican food in California want to seek out Mexican in Eastern Washington? Try to find something they do well up there that you would be hard-pressed to have otherwise.

oskirules;688161 said:

---

I like visiting small towns because of their unique character but when I vist them I usually end up eating in coffee houses or fast food joints. Know of anything different in the Palouse?

---

Hey Oski_rules! Are you really going to eat @ the local restaurants? Ha-ha...so what!

Don't!

Instead bring a bag of groceries of choice and your Primus stove, and prepare a meal in the snow @ your local rest stop and munch on vege.

Or choose the Swedish restaurant featuring "Aztec hot toddies" served w/ a "chicken pesto crepe", a cup o' a "Lobster bisque" and a "Reuben." Ha, ha!

Or...maybe you like "Italian"? Whoa!

[U]pasta [/U]
POMODORO $11
POMODORO W/MEATBALLS $14
spaghetti, plum tomatoes, basil, parm-regg, evoo

PAPPARDELLE BOLOGNESE $14
ribbon pasta, meat sauce, parm-regg

KIMA $13
orrechiette, "greek style" meat sauce, myzithra cheese

CARBONARA $13
spaghetti, bacon, garlic, cream, egg, parm-regg

DAILY PASTA
alternating seasonal pasta, call for details (TBD)

[U]grill [/U]
LAMB CHOPS $21
briam, evoo & lemon

PORK CHOPS $19
jasmine rice, greek slaw, evoo & lemon, oregano jus

ROASTED CHICKEN $20
bread salad, seasonal greens, fresh herb pan jus

NEW YORK STEAK $24
RIBEYE STEAK $24
mashed potatos, seasonal vegetable, bearnaise butter

SHISH KEBAB $21
beef, mushrooms, zucchini, onion, almond mint cous-cous

DAILY FISH $Free
"alternating fish, call for details"

GRILLED TOFU $14
roasted fall vegetables, jasmine rice

...yeah betcha! Ha-ha...so what...burp!

Or you could fast and drink cool clear water.

:beer:

Yes, partake of the local specialities. Being an ag school... if you are ever in Pullman, and it's open, visit their creamery, get some ice cream and a tin of Cougar Gold cheese. You won't be disappointed.

taxbear;690635 said:

---

If you're looking for cuisine that reflects the local ingredients around Pullman, stick with lentils and beans.

---

And hops. Just chew them without all the fuss that beer brings.