Here is Ben's very opinionated list of local restaurants, starting with the ones near campus. Most of them are in the 13th street area between Kincaid and Hilyard. Note: Covid had devastating effects on the restaurant scene near campus, with several excellent restaurants closing down. Even more restaurants have closed since the north side of 13th street is about to undergoing major reconstruction. The food scene is currently: tragic.
Coffee: Ben never goes out to coffee so this is what he hears.
Cafe Roma (13th near Alder) - Bad coffee.
Tailored (13th near Hilyard) - Better coffee.
Lillis Hall (13th on campus) - Has coffee.
Tykeson Hall (13th, on campus) - Has coffee.
Duck store (13th and Kincaid) - Has coffee.
Vero Espresso (14th near downtown) - Better coffee, far away. Decent breakfast sandwiches too.
Wheat Bay Uniquely Chengdu (13th, near Alder) - decent Sichuanese. Large portions for a large price, so only works well for large groups sharing, but also has personal-sized soups reasonably priced. Three dishes is likely enough for 5 people. I like the vine pepper fish and the griddle cauliflower bowl (not on menu), and the sliced beef in chili sauce appetizer.
Spring House (Alder, near 12th) - Large portions at a great price. I like the Fujian Mei Fun, Singapore noodles.
Maple Garden (Alder, near 13th) - Another chinese restaurant which is supposed to have good food if you know what to order, but I don't know what to order.
Korea House (Hilyard, near 13th): Reasonable mom and pop shop. Tries to have everything possible on the menu: jack of all trades and master of none. Can be slow sometimes.
Seoul Restaurant (Villard, near Franklin): Quite far, also very slow, I haven't been there in years.
Duck Sushi (13th, near Hilyard): Lots of random stuff, also sushi and bento boxes. Reasonably fast. Not great. Okay Poke.
Tasty Thai (Hilyard, near 13th): Went downhill years ago. Mediocre.
Sweet Basil (Alder, near 13th): Also went downhill more recently. Why can't they keep their chefs?
Sy's NY Pizza (Alder, near 12th): Not bad.
Pegasus Pizza (14th, near Alder): We're ordering from here for the Pizza party. Ok. Addendum: closed down for now.
Falling Sky (in EMU): Not good.
Cafe Yumm: Vegetarian rice bowls. Originally based in Eugene, now franchised throughout the northwest. They use a very unique yeast-based special sauce, which many people love and some hate. I think the sauce to rice ratio is too high, so I always get extra rice on the side; having figured this out, I'm happy to eat there.
Izakaya Jinsei: Sometimes slow and often overpriced. I guess it'll do.
Toxic wings: Bad.
Ume grill: decent, but I think they're closed for the summer.
Fresh corner Market: In the EMU building, which is mostly filled with fast food chains, is this convenience store which also serves rice bowls. Quite fast and decent, good price!
Unthank: Apparently there's a new food court there that's decent, but I've never been.
Taste of India: Far away to the east near market of choice. Indian, with buffet lunch. No good Indian food I've found in Eugene, this may be one of the better ones but...
Pig and Turnip: on Franklin, moved to this location recently. Haven't tried it, but know someone who liked it.
There's a Taqueria food cart on Franklin I've been meaning to try but never have.
Agate Alley: Not bad.
Studio One Cafe: Great brunch place! Not super slow, but sometimes a line.
McMennamins: Meh.
Prince Puckler's Ice Cream: It's ice cream.
Beppe and Gianni's: Quite decent italian.
Sweet Life: Bad dessert bakery.
Santo de la Torta: Mexican sandwich place. Been meaning to try it. Those I know who have gave it mixed reviews. By mixed I mean bad.
Hey Neighbor: Hipster pizza.
Sizzle Pie: gone, sadly.
Falling Sky Brewpub: Recently changed ownership. I've been once since and the food was actually decent. Has own beers.
Poppi's Anatolia: Fusion indian mediterranean. I guess the mediterranean is ok. Don't hope for any good indian in this town.
Party Downtown: Good dinner place with weird service and small portions.
Off the Waffle: It's waffles.
Voodoo donuts: I guess its famous. But why?
Bon Mi: Good sandwiches, bad pho.
Belly: Rotating menu, hit or miss.
Davis Restaurant: meh.
Black Wolf Supper Club: pretty decent fancy comfort food.
Sushi Pure: not worth it.
International Market at 5th street market: the restaurants are new since covid, I haven't been.
Rye: One of my favorites in town. Great cocktails, solid food.
Coldfire: A brewery, but has rotating food trucks. Heybaby is supposed to be the best burger in town, but I think they just closed down to open a restaurant somewhere. Supposed to be some good fried chicken there now.
Legend of Sichuan: Hmmmm.
Marche: Medium expensive place where we take colloquium speakers. Quite good.
Akira: Very expensive sushi, quite good! Actually, they've changed to do more other dishes now.
Bier Stein: Acceptable pub food. Huge bottled beer selection.
Newman's fish company: Good fish and chips (halibut), only open for lunch. Their other location (far away) has better fish and chips.
La Oficina: Salvadorean. I've never been.
Kung fu bistro: Best chinese in town, quite good!! BUT IT IS CLOSED NOW. WTF.
Mame: It closed years ago and I still haven't gotten over it!
Tacovore: Tacos. Maybe.
Izakaya Meiji: Overrated izakaya.
Falling Sky: Brisket deli etc. Supposed to be good. It's meh.
Noli: Never been, supposed to be good italian.
Sweet Life: Bad dessert bakery, but the only one open late.
Laughing Planet: Veggie place. There's another vegan place nearby too.
About 6 other restaurants: All closed. I guess I don't know this area any more. Sorry.
Oakshire brewery: A brewery, but has rotating food trucks. Buck Buck has fantastic fried chicken!! Oh no, it exploded.
Wandering goat coffee: one of the best in town, in my opinion.
Ninkasi brewery: Never been.