The drive along Interstate 5 is lined with endless trees and farms. Seeing horses or sheep every so often is about the most excitement there is when driving between Eugene and Portland. To hopefully spice up the two hour drive — assuming you’re following the speed limit — here are three restaurants to stop by to make the trip a bit more interesting.
Novak’s Hungarian Restaurant
About an hour into the drive, you’ll enter the small town of Albany, Ore. Hidden behind an outdoor mall you will find a little taste of Hungary. For less than $12 you can try the best Hungarian food in the state of Oregon. And who could say no to mama’s specialty “Székely Töltött Káposzta” – a cabbage roll filled with lean ground pork. Although most of the local customers come straight from the nearby retirement home, the restaurant is ideal for curious college students looking for something other than the fast food chains all along the freeway.
Word of Mouth
Make reservations, because this Salem, Ore. hotspot is constantly flowing with people. Located in an old Victorian-style home, this breakfast place is well worth the average wait time of 30 minutes to get in. The restaurant is decorated with handmade art made with kitchen utensils and handmade tables. Hung on one of the walls is a map of the U.S. covered with push pins representing each customer’s home town. Word of Mouth is known for its Creme Brulée French Toast — a traditional French toast topped with caramelized sugar topping that cracks like brulée — and its generous serving sizes. Sharing a dish is recommended.
Dar Essalam
From the moment you walk in, you’re no longer in small town of Wilsonville, Ore., but transported to an Moroccan palace. From the floor to the ceiling the entire restaurant is decorated with authentic Moroccan antiques and art. Covering the entirety of one of the walls is a beautiful ceramic fountain that you see as you walk in. Although Dar Essalam is known for other Moroccan dishes, the Tagine lamb with spicy raisin sauce was just as unique as the atmosphere. Although it’s oddly located at a strip mall in Wilsonville, it’s delicious Moroccan dishes are great to take your mind off the road for a hour.