When the restaurant at the Log Cabin Inn burned down, the area lost its most noteworthy restaurant. Restaurants aren’t exactly a big deal out here—most overnight visitors are camping or renting cabins with cooking facilities. Near McKenzie Bridge the Rustic Skillet (54771 Rte. 126, 541/822-3400, all meals daily) can be likened to a fancy truck stop—just good ol’ American food. Lest this sound like damning with faint praise, we should add the menu is diverse for its genre. Kids (young and old alike) will enjoy a complimentary round of miniature golf with their meal.
There are a couple of dining options in the vicinity of Blue River. Stop at Takodas (91806 Mill Creek Rd., 541/822-1153, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. daily, $6–11), located next to Harbick’s Country Store, for a sandwich or a burger. In the evening, the neighboring Holiday Farm Resort (54455 McKenzie River Dr., 541/822-3725, 5–9 p.m. daily, $18–29) is the area’s most elegant restaurant; here you can dine on a house-smoked duck salad or go for steak, seafood, or pasta.