Here at The Corvallis Advocate, we like to keep all of your culinary curiosities covered. We recently visited a few unheralded international gems, boasting authentic delicacies from around the world. While there a ton of cool places to chow down in Corvallis, we feel these five restaurants deserve some increased attention from your taste buds.
The first stop on this list is the aptly named Yummy Yummy Chinese restaurant. Stashed in the back of HK Market at 930 NW Kings Blvd, this is one of the least-known restaurants in Corvallis. Incorporating a robust menu of fresh Asian ingredients sold in their marketplace, this clean and minimalist diner is adorned with draping red and gold tassels and offers large portions of authentic Chinese cuisine at a reasonable price. Yummy Yummy can be reached at (541) 360-3130. Daily business hours are 10 a.m.to 9:30 p.m.
Another unsung destination is The Corvallis Meat Pie Compnay. Hidden in plain sight on the corner of 4th and Monroe, the delicious diminutive dishes from Down Under include “Authentic Australian Pies & Sausage Rolls.” This quaint little eatery, with ornate furnishings and both indoor and outdoor seating, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Happy Hour begins at 4:30 p.m., offering $1 off pies and $.50 off rolls. The Meat Pie Shop is located at 408 SW Monroe Avenue #106. Call (541) 740-5056.
Up next is the highly underrated Lupe’s Restaurant and Calavera Bar, located at 2047 NW Monroe. Here, you’ll find a rangy menu of authentic Mayan, Central, and South American cuisine. Open Monday through Saturday (closed Sundays) from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m., the spacious and elegantly-designed bar and grill also offers 24 different varieties of top shelf tequila. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., and dinner entrees are served from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Contact Lupe’s at (541) 207-3120.
Nestled in South Corvallis is the little known Al Jebal Middle Eastern Restaurant, located at 2240 SW 3rd St. With a delicious mixture of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare, this overlooked, family-run hideaway also sells groceries in their storefront Bazaar International Market. The restaurant is located in the back of the building. Daily hours operate from 12 to 8 p.m. Call the store at (541) 207-3048 or the restaurant at (541) 207-3478.
Last but not least is the Mexican-themed hidden gem Bananas Rana’s Café, tucked away at 120 SW 4th Street, Ste 100. Operating from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 12 to 7 p.m. on Sundays, Bananas Rana’s is a whimsically atmospheric, frog-themed mom and pop that boasts an unctuous array of freshly-blended, natural fruit and vegetable juices, smoothies, shakes, mangonadas, chicharrones con cueritos, tostilocos, piña-locas, and much more. Bananas Rana’s Café can be reached at (541) 368-1726.
By Jake Dee
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