food review
Nellie’s Deli sandwich shop is a drive up in Sutherlin located in a renovated coffee stand. Outdoor seating allows you to soak up some sun and fresh air. Don’t be surprised if Nellie wearing a chef jacket and a smile, comes out to visit you tableside to inquire how your meal is. All sandwiches and salads are the usual fare, but the specials range from reimagined Bahn Mi sandwiches with pork belly to smoked ham, tomato and basil quiche. Rotating soups like clam chowder, chicken and dumpling, and albondigas, along with desserts like mango cake with mango cream cheese frosting, chocolate caramel cupcakes and giant warm cookies round out your meal. The bread and ingredients are fresh and plentiful and the service is truly top notch. I tried the Bahn Mi special first. Roasted pork belly, ham, cucumber, marinated carrot & daikon radish along with cilantro & jalapeno, all held together with Sriracha mayo was unusual in the best way. The cucumber and radish balanced the salty pork belly just right. The Sriracha mayo added a nice amount of spice. Next up, The GiddyUp sandwich. Pesto cream cheese, olives, tomatoes, onion and fresh greens atop more of that delightfully fresh bread. You have the option to keep it vegetarian or add turkey. I am a carnivore at heart, so I piled that yummy turkey on. And pile it on they do. The pesto cream cheese was really lovely without taking away any of the other flavors of the sandwich, but tied them together beautifully. Both sandwiches came with a pickle spear and pepperoncini. These are large sandwiches, so if you aren’t sure if you can finish one definitely share with a friend!
Smokin’ Friday BBQ is a stationary drive up that is taking BBQ and giving it a twist. Located on Garden Valley Blvd, they offer traditional pulled pork, brisket, tri-tip, salads and sides of cornbread and seasoned green beans, but let’s not overlook the pork nachos and loaded baked potato. The homemade BBQ sauce is so popular it can be purchased by the bottle. Catering is also available and don’t forget to ask about the ribs and salmon. I decided to try something I have never seen at any BBQ joint before, the Hot Pork Sundae. If you don’t like your food touching, this is not for you. Mashed potatoes and BBQ pulled pork with gravy is layered in a sundae cup and topped with freshly cooked green beans. Add more mashed potatoes to hold the cherry tomato half and you have a fun and inventive take on a comfort food that is a favorite of many. The potatoes are creamy and buttery, the pulled pork was moist and excellent and the seasoned green beans were just the right amount of crisp. This is the perfect dish to dig into on a rainy Oregon night, and the kids will love the “sundae” look.
Neighborhood Smokehouse and Grill is also a stationary BBQ truck on Garden Valley Blvd, so you won’t have to worry about the location changing. Situated on an old gas station lot that offers outdoor picnic tables, and also indoor seating in case of inclement weather, Neighborhood Smokehouse is very conveniently located right off I-5. A two-sided drive up makes the wait short, the prices are really great and the service is warm and friendly. Philly sandwiches, French Dips, Pork Rib and Pulled Pork sandwiches are some of the most popular dishes on the menu, but don’t discount the Steak Caesar or Black and Blue Chicken salads. Kids meals are also offered for smaller appetites and you can get some of the meats deli style, sold per half pound. The pulled pork sandwich is served on soft, warm bread with juicy meat and a nice BBQ sauce. It’s fairly plain looking at first, but biting into it I got a delightfully spicy kick I wasn’t expecting. I decided to get a coleslaw side. While it was just your everyday coleslaw on its own, adding it to my sandwich transformed both dishes and was the perfect accompaniment without being overpowering. This is a good place to drop in for a quick bite if you’re on the road or just not in the mood for another fast food meal.
1100 W Central Ave Sutherlin, OR, (541) 459-4495
368 NE Garden Valley Blvd Roseburg, OR, (541) 673-4945
468 NW Garden Valley Blvd Roseburg, OR, (707) 548-4191
Monday-Friday 10:30 am-5:30 pm Saturday 11:00 am-3:00 pm Closed Sunday
Monday-Friday 11 am-8 pm Sat, Sun 11 am-6 pm
Monday-Friday 11 am-7 pm Closed Saturday and Sunday
SPRING 2016 • OregonValleyVERVE.com
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