Super Bowl parties are still looking a little different in 2021, but people in Bend are happily making game plans for smaller home parties with close friends and loved ones. With that come two very important questions: What snacks should your football party have, and what beer should you bring?

With takeout being an immensely popular option this year, we’re listing the top places for Super Bowl takeout in Bend, and the best breweries to get beer from! Those moving to Bend or recently arrived will find everything they need below.

Best Takeout for Superbowl Parties

The good news is that restaurants and food trucks in Bend fully embraced takeout features in 2020, so you can order food from just about anywhere, and get it delivered with services like Doordash. However, to really help out local Bend businesses, it’s always best to call up or use their direct online order services for a pickup. Here are some of the best places to try, based on what football cuisine you prefer. Keep in mind, many of these locations are going to be extra busy for the Super Bowl, so plan ahead of time.

Baldy’s BBQ

Baldy’s specializes in catering and is an excellent choice for easy BBQ, especially if you have more mouths to feed than usual. Baby back ribs are a highlight, but there’s pulled pork, beef brisket, pulled chicken, smoked wings, and everything you need for BBQ sandwiches.

Mio Sushi

If your family prefers lighter party snacks, Mio Sushi will delight with numerous sushi options, with a wide variety of additional appetizers and entrees. They make ordering sushi platters and larger bento boxes for parties especially easy.

Los Jalapeños

In the mood for Mexican-style food? Los Jalapeños is a hidden gem on Greenwood, with a broad menu full of delicious options at very affordable prices. If your group loves nachos, burritos, quesadillas, or even inventive Mexican salads, you’ve found your spot, and it tends to be faster than popular options like El Rancho Grande.

Stone Pine Pizza

This pizza truck is famous for its delicious and innovative pizzas, available in personal or large sizes depending on what people want. It’s a great pick if pizza sounds good but everyone is in the mood for something special – and you can even grab a beer at Spoken Moto while you wait. Just get there before they run out of ingredients on the big game day! For vegan options, try Bend Pizza Kitchen, or for especially large orders, visit Pizza Mondo.

Chan’s

If game day isn’t complete without Chinese food, Chan’s of Bend has you covered. Their food is affordable, tasty, and comes in big portions without a big wait. Their location on 3rd street also makes it easy to swing by for pickup, although delivery is offered through some apps. If you prefer to compare options before deciding, take a look at China Doll’s tasty menu too.

Miyagi Ramen

Looking for something outside the box? Miyagi Ramen has turned their little Old Mill joint into an impressive assembly line for pickup orders. Combined with their excellent online ordering system, there’s no better way to enjoy delicious – and customizable – Japanese-style ramen bowls in Bend.

Best Beer for Superbowl Parties

Bend is full of distinct brew options, and there’s no bad choice. But if you don’t already have a preference and want beer for a whole party, these are the best breweries in Bend.

Deschutes

Deschutes has become a world-famous brewery because it knows how to create great beers with broad appeal. If you want something that works for everyone, Deschutes brews are always a safe bet. Their Red Chair beer is especially popular this time of year, while the light Mirror Pond ale is a fit for everyone.

10 Barrel

If your party is more interested in light beers, 10 Barrel specializes in lighter brews that are easy to swig after a big bite of food. Their Pub Beer is an affordable example, but the classic Apocalypse IPA is there for those who want something stronger.

Crux Fermentation

If you’re watching the Superbowl with beer nerds, Crux Fermentation is the way to go. Just mention the name – they’ll know what they want, and will be happy to make recommendations, too.

Avid

Is your group not really into beer? Avid Cider has delicious ciders with fruit combinations from around the world, from classic Apple to innovative Orange Cream.

Now that 2020 is finally behind us, it’s the perfect time to take a look ahead: What exactly is waiting in the future of Central Oregon? This time, we wanted to take a specific look at how the past year has affected the economy of Bend and the surrounding area, and what the outlook is for 2021. Here’s what you should know if you’re moving to Bend!

Real Estate Prices Continue to Grow

During 2020, real estate inventory in Bend was one of the many things to go into lockdown, with relatively low numbers of sellers in the market. However, trends like remote work and people seeking smaller cities to escape the crowds continued to make property in the area extremely popular, so home prices continued to rise, with the median sale price of residential properties shooting up as much as 14% toward the end of 2020. Home appreciation is expected to continue its fastest growth in 2021 since the Great Recession, although sellers that were waiting are also likely to add inventory to the market this year, leading to greater activity.

But there’s also good news for buyers: Interest rates for mortgages are expected to remain particularly low in this period as well.

Employment in Bend

In 2020, Bend and surrounding areas fought the impact of lockdown procedures halting various sectors – some hit harder than others. Deschutes County became the country with the third-highest share of layoffs in the state during the year, and employment in the third quarter was down 7.2% compared to the previous year.

However, the area also proved both adaptable and resilient. By the end of the year, many sectors had started to recover, while tourism continued to be profitable despite travel being discouraged. Although lockdown measures continue to affect the area, 2021 is shaping up to be a record year for tourism and will hopefully see the rebound of all sectors affected by 2020 conditions – dependent on things like vaccine rollout, of course.

That brings us to two positive observations. First, the health industry in Bend has remained strong, one of the largest employment sectors in the region with relatively little job loss. Second, Bend’s population continued to grow from outside relocation even during 2020, and 2021 should be another key year for population increases.

Overall Economic Expectations for 2021

After a sharp recovery in the third quarter of 2020, where the Central Oregon Business Index rose by 16%, growth slowed and stabilized as new lockdown measures were implemented. That puts the first quarter of 2021 in an interesting position: The first few months are likely to present challenges, followed by a period of activity and growth with a dramatic rebound likely as the year moves on.

Bend’s economy also saw continued diversification throughout 2020. As skilled professionals continue to move into the area in 2021, that diversification will provide a growing number of new opportunities for those living in Bend.

Long term estimates expect Central Oregon to have the highest job growth in Oregon by the end of the 2020s (narrowly beating out the Portland area), with healthcare and social assistance leading the pack. Software development, research analysis, and marketing are also expected to be key sectors for jobs and growth.

Bend is famous for its abundance of clear, sunny days and relatively low precipitation (especially compared to the rest of the Northwest), but new residents moving to Bend still have questions about the high desert’s dramatic turns from summer to winter, and what to expect with each season. So we made a guide just for that! Here’s what the seasons look like in Bend, Oregon.

Spring

Spring in Bend is a constant jostling between winter and summer as both seek to remain dominant. That can lead to some wacky weather, including warm sun one day and snow the next! The good news is that spring also opens both the cold and warm month activities for residents. There’s still enough powder on the slopes to make regular trips up to the mountains, but the weather is getting warm enough to enjoy more outdoor time, hikes, jogging, and other activities that may have been paused over the winter.

Businesses also take advantage of this by opening up more outdoor spaces and advertising outdoor activities, from concerts to paddling boarding events. Just keep in mind, if you’re hitting the trails then you’ll really want your mosquito spray during this time of year!

Summer

Summer is when outdoor activities around Central Oregon really bloom. From bike races to free concerts at the Les Schwab amphitheater, there’s really something from everything. Make sure you put important events like Beerfest on your calendar! Temperatures here rise to reliable high 80s and venture even further up as August approaches, but the dry heat of the high desert doesn’t hinder anyone from enjoying the outdoors.

Pets and people alike love playing in the water during this time, so the Deschutes River can become a popular, crowded place. This is also the best time to plan summit hikes or camping trips around the trails in Central Oregon, many of which are not accessible during winter. If you can do it under the open sky, summer is the season to do it in! Unfortunately, the slopes do close for winter sports during this time, but there is still lots of mountain biking and zip-lining to try!

Autumn

Unlike the back and forth of spring, fall tends to be a slower, steadier progression into winter weather. Temperatures usually remain high through September (make sure you check out Oktoberfest) and then start a steady decline. While Central Oregon doesn’t have many native trees that turn colors, Bend is full of carefully selected deciduous trees that look gorgeous in October. The nights start getting crisp and cold, and it’s best to finish any outdoor plans you have before the real winter weather hits.

This is also the season to bundle up, make sure your snow gear is prepared, and switch to winter tires on your vehicles if necessary. Snow in autumn isn’t very common until late November/December, but it can happen.

Winter

Outside the city, the higher elevations already have plenty of snowfall by the time winter hits, and that only increases during the coldest months – this is the perfect time for winter sports of all kinds, so make sure your slope passes and parking plans are ready! Snowshoeing and sledding are also popular, family-friendly activities. Temperatures are now well below freezing every night, so be sure to stay warm. Many businesses will put out heat lamps and light fires so people can still stay cozy.

Inside the city, snowfall can vary greatly from year to year. At least a few inches throughout winter is the norm, but some winters are much drier while others introduce Bend to several feet of snow with every blizzard. It’s best to prepare for anything! Ask the locals for advice if you have any questions, we’re always happy to help give advice about winter driving, how to prep your new home, and any other questions you may have!

If you are moving to Bend with a beloved dog, your pawed friend will love the many outdoor locations to explore around Central Oregon! On your journey to find the best spots, we suggest starting with these pet-friendly parks and trails.

1. Riverbend Dog Park

This beautiful park is nestled right against the Old Mill shops and is one of the best locations in Bend for pups who love playing in the water. In addition to a fenced-in run area, the park also has direct access to the shores of the Deschutes River – one of the only legal river access points for dogs within city limits. It can get a bit crowded in summer, so it’s a good pick if your pet likes lots of doggy friends!

2. Deschutes River Trail

This is almost a combo with the Riverbend Dog Park, so they are so close together, but these popular trail loops go along the river, across bridges, and back again to Old Mill (with alternative trails going from there). The average loop only takes an hour or two depending on your speed, and it’s a perfect spot for jogging or walking with your dog, with tons to explore. It does get busy, though.

3. Bob Wenger Memorial at Pine Nursery

This dedicated off-leash section of the park is perfect for owners living in the area. It’s a combination between park and trails, with more than 18 acres to explore or jog with pets. There’s also a special spray park activated in summer, water fountains for dogs, and free poop bags for all.

4. Big Sky

Big Sky is a smaller park that’s perfect for short sessions with your pet…and teens, since the nearby BMX track gives kids plenty to do as well. It’s a large off-leash area that includes a doggy pond and other amenities.

5. Gooddog!/Rimrock Trail

This loop near the city offers perfect park views and an off-leash environment for dogs to explore, including waterfalls, lawns, and groves. The smaller park, with its easy terrain, is a nice trail for those who may have accessibility needs and allows it to stay a viable option throughout much of winter.

6. Overturf Butte Reservoir

Does your doggo like climbing and more mountainous terrain? This four-acre, off-leash park is a perfect spot for exercise and exploration, including short trails. It’s a bit rougher than some parks in Bend, so you’ll have to bring your own source of water, but active dogs will love it!

7. North Fork Trail

For the more adventurous, this part of the Tumalo Falls Park is great for a day of exploration and will give dogs miles to explore with this gorgeous loop that’s surrounded by fir trees. Tumalo Falls is filled with great trails that dogs can enjoy, but this is the place to start!

8. Shevlin Park Commons

This hiking spot overlooks the desert and mountain range, is easy to get to, and is a perfect spot for taking doggy photos. Just get there early, because the trail can become very busy!

9. Ponderosa Park

Ponderosa Park has a fenced-in 5 acres for dogs to cut loose as much as they want, including poop bags, water fountains, and restrooms (for the humans). There’s also a subsection that’s designed for smaller dogs and pets that don’t like as much roughhousing

10. Green Lakes Trails

If you’re looking for a full weekend adventure with your lovable companion, you can’t do better than Green Lakes. This system of trails has an incredibly varied landscape, lots of different areas to explore, and incredible views. It gets very popular for camping in the summer months, which is why dogs are generally required to be on leash when the trail is open.