If you’re high in Bend and looking to get your munchies satiated, the recommendation will resoundingly be Americana. If you ask anyone who has lived in Bend for at least the last two years, Americana will be the answer as it is a well-known Bend favorite that grew in popularity thanks to their delicious smash burgers! What started as a food truck has recently opened a brick-and-mortar location, and on a hot summer day, it was the perfect choice to satisfy my hunger pangs.
On this summer day, I was a tad bit indecisive on which burger I wanted, but I knew I needed some loaded fries that are served covered in caramelized onions, American cheese, bacon, and chunky burger sauce. I eventually opted for the Cowboy Burger, which has two smashed patties, yellow American cheese, fried onions, bacon, and barbecue sauce, and a mandarin Jarritos on the side. My husband opted for the sloppy goat which has two smashed patties, white American cheese, caramelized onions, bacon-date jam, bacon, whipped goat cheese, and balsamic glaze, and the IPA they had on tap.
We chose to sit at the high-top counter, which provides a perfect view of the kitchen, so you can watch your food being prepared right in front of you and talk to the team at the same time. We had the pleasure of chatting with Joe, the owner of Americana, while waiting for our food. If you are a sociable people person, the high-top counter is a great place to sit, but there are also multiple booths for seating.
When our food was finally up, it did not disappoint (as usual). The Cowboy was so delicious! The fried onions were absolutely perfect—not too much batter, not too crispy, and not too flimsy. The double patties provide the perfect amount of fullness, especially when you are enjoying the loaded fries as well. The loaded fries are a great choice all on their own if you aren’t super hungry or in the mood for a burger. The chunky burger sauce is absolutely delectable! If you are a big sauce fan, I would ask for extra sauce to ensure you have some on every bite of fries, especially if you are sharing the fries.
The feel of the brick-and-mortar Americana is quite different from the food truck. The food truck resides at the Podski, a food truck park in Downtown Bend, which offers beers on tap and a variety of cuisines to choose from with the different food truck options. The brick-and-mortar location has an old-school dinner feel, with its restaurant layout and energy, while the vibes at the truck change depending on the busyness of the Podski and the other food trucks. Another difference between the brick-and-mortar and the food truck is some slight differences in the menu. The OG, the classic smash burger, is on both menus, but the food truck is the only spot that has the grilled cheese, the BBQ, and the Popper. The BBQ has held its place as my favorite burger to get from the truck for years now. The Popper is an excellent choice for those who love jalapeños. The brick-and-mortar menu has more options, with eight different burgers and loaded fries.
If you find yourself in Bend and in need of something delicious (be it because of the munchies or just general hunger), I would highly recommend giving Americana a try at either of their locations. You won’t be disappointed!
