Food

For lunch, the Sandwich Factory (277 NE Court St., 541/447-4429, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 7 a.m.–3 p.m. Sat., $6–13), just west of the courthouse, has a huge menu of really good sandwiches. It’s also an excellent place to people-watch at lunch—most of downtown Prineville [1] seems to eat here.

Ranchero (964 NW 3rd St., 541/416-0103, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. daily, $7–16), next to the Rustler’s Inn, has a great selection of south-of-the-border specialties and a friendly atmosphere.

Behind a downright scary exterior lies an extremely popular (and not at all frightening) steak house: Club Pioneer (1851 E. 3rd St., 541/447-6177, 5–9 p.m. daily, $10–22). The competition, downtown’s Barney Prine’s Steakhouse and Saloon (380 NE Main St., 541/447-3333, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Wed.–Fri., 5 p.m.–close Tues.–Sun., $16–22), is a bit more stylish, with beechwood floors salvaged from a Jim Beam distillery, a huge and beautiful bar, and a good wine list.

A somewhat more generic and moderately priced steak, barbecue, and sandwich restaurant is Dillon’s Grill (142 5th St., 541/447-3203, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. daily, $7–19), which is a pretty good alternative if you’re coming off the river and want a no-fuss meal and a glass of beer.

It’s about 20 miles (a 20-minute drive) from Prineville [1] to the Brasada Ranch resort, where you’ll find the most sophisticated cuisine in the area at the resort’s Blue Olive (16986 Brasada Ranch Rd., Powell Butte, 888/701-2987, 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. daily summer, 11:30 a.m.–8 p.m. daily winter, $14–30). Named after the blue-winged olive, a trout fly, the Blue Olive is a great place to order fish (the chef did a stint as a commercial fisherman). If you’ve never tried razor clams, the sesame-studded and wasabi-topped version here will make you an instant convert. Beef is raised locally and cooked perfectly. During the long summer evenings, the view from the restaurant’s large windows is expansive.