Philomath residents likely all have their favorites when it comes to dining out locally. A decent number of options exist for a town of 5,600 people with many different types of cuisine represented.
Following are the five most popular restaurants in Philomath using data from Yelp. Only establishments with at least 25 reviews were considered. The rankings are based on average ratings as of Feb. 14 (many of the folks who leave reviews tend to be those passing through town).
1. Dirt Road Brewing (4.9 average rating, 43 reviews)
Dirt Road Brewing knows how to serve up a good local beer but the establishment has also developed a reputation for its food — primarily the pizza. A variety of tasty combinations are available, including the “Chuck-A-Roo,” which carries the name of the brewpub’s owner.
A review from September: “The pizza was GOOOOD! Try the Dirt Road pizza. The best. We tried this and the margherita pizza. One 13-inch pizza would have been enough for us. Wings looked pretty good, too.”
2. The Dizzy Hen (4.8 average rating, 185 reviews)
Across the street from Dirt Road is the Dizzy Hen, a restaurant that’s been extremely popular since it opened in 2018 in the spot that many will remember as the CD&J location. A lot of people have enjoyed breakfast or brunch but there is also a dinner menu available.
A review from November: “The food was top notch. I haven’t had biscuits and gravy in a long time and this definitely hit the spot. The biscuits were buttery and light and the gravy was seasoned perfectly. Also, the roasted potatoes that came on the side were some of the best I’ve had in a long time … The omelet my brother got was simple but done to perfection.”
3. El Cruzero (4.7 average rating, 55 reviews)
If you don’t recognize the name, this is the place located in a gas station (but don’t let that affect your expectations as far as the food). Opening in 2018, this spot features some unique flavors — much of it focused on Yucatan-inspired recipes.
A review from November: “This is the best, most legit Mexican food I’ve had here so far. Everything had great flavor and the tacos felt fresh. The asada, fish and carnitas tacos were delish and the green sauce chicken burrito was very good. This is definitely my go to when I want Mexican.”
4. Eats & Treats Cafe (4.5 average rating, 208 reviews)
If you need to avoid gluten, this is the place to go. But it’s also known for its exceptional barbecue. And don’t be surprised if co-owner Sandy McHenry stops by your table to shoot the breeze. Eats & Treats relocated to Philomath in 2013.
A review from November: “These eats were really treats! It’s always fun to go to a restaurant where I can eat everything on the menu (I have celiac disease and everything is gluten free). The service was great, the owner was really friendly and came and talked to us.They even gave out complimentary cookies (which were amazing) for our first visit.”
5. Gathering Together Farm (4.3 average rating, 116 reviews)
This restaurant (closed for the season until this spring) is located on an organic vegetable and fruit farm along Grange Hall Road that dates back to 1987. The intimate restaurant with 35 seats features a menu that changes from week to week.
A review from September: “The farm-to-table concept is executed here with great skill. The menu is well-thought out without straining to be ‘inventive.’ It’s just great food put together elegantly.”
(Brad Fuqua is publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He can be reached at News@PhilomathNews.com).