The following reviews and opinions have been created to represent all dining facilities located in Medford's Downtown District.
None of the businesses mentioned have contributed to this site or bear any influence or personal preference from the authors perspective.
A 
The China Hut Restaurant and Lounge is located at 450 South Riverside
Avenue. The Dining room is clean and well lit with full bar service available as a
compliment to the meal. The menu selection is expansive, offering both Americanized Asian
cuisine as well as a broad selection of traditional ala carte items. The home made pot
stickers are wonderful and the BBQ pork appetizer served warm, thinly sliced is well worth
the wait. Take out is available. (541) 779-4528
B Taqueria El Gallo offers authentic Hispanic fare which is filling,
rich with flavors of roasted peppers and unbelievably light and refreshing. The fresh
carrots marinated with jalapeno peppers (snack-before-your-meal) is a crisp reminder that
food is about to arrive. Dipping the sliced carrots in thick cream helps hide the spicy
bite while teasing the taste buds. The small, clean dining area is filled with a variety
of items from south of the boarder and is frequented by the local Hispanic population. The
menu consists of a variety of traditional dishes, is well priced, and the atmosphere is
worth careful observation. If you don't speak Spanish...just point. The staff is
friendly and helpful but English is not the preferred language. Take out is available and
if you favor a cold beer or margarita with South of the Border cuisine 'pick up' and dine
at home is required. 541-732-1633
C Sally's Kitchen is the two story pink building found at 515 S.
Riverside Ave. You can't miss it. Nor, do you want to if you're hungry for a hearty,
well-priced cafe style breakfast or lunch. This small, family owned and operated diner
provides plenty of parking behind the popular location. The dining area is clean, the
counter is usually filled with locals and the seasonal specials are terrific. Go
ahead..try the oyster omelet...add a little green Tabasco sauce and
presto...instant hangover relief.
D
Tasty
Thai is a Medford favorite. Open for lunch and dinner, this easy
location is frequented by locals, especially at noon, and is 'sat' first come, first
served. The lemon dressing drizzled salad offered as a complimentary first course, takes
the edge off twelve o' clock hunger. The lunch menu consists of numerous selections and is
available to go at (541) 779-1148.
E Eddy's is a "local" joint near the corner of Jackson and
Riverside and makes one of the best burgers on the west coast. Although admittedly small,
the place is packed between the hours of 11:00 and 2:00pm with neighbors craving the drip
down to your elbows, that you can't put down or it's gonna' fall apart burgers. Folks
willingly move over, and offer you a place to sit down or hurry so that you too, can enjoy
lunch. It's amazing! The Mushroom Burger, served with a fork, is the drippiest burger in
the Rogue Valley. However the bigger challenge is the avocado, chili, chicken sandwich
won't stay on the bun and both are available, as well as the rest of the menu items, 'to
go' (541) 770-4678. Thank goodness! Move over...the fries are hot!
F 
Oh's Osaka is a fun environment centrally located in Medford's
downtown district at 35 N Central Ave. You can either be entertained by the numerous
tableside grills or stroll to the rear of the building and sit at the sushi bar. Either
location presents a charming evening. The grill side communal tables promote interactive
dialogue with staff and other diners, while the sushi bar can be more intimate. The full
service bar is a compliment to the meal and offers several varieties of filtered or
unfiltered Saki, either chilled or warmed. The tableside, grill menu is reasonably priced
while sushi is comparable. Take out orders are welcome and promptly available.
Reservations for the dining room are suggested, (541) 282-2334. The seven, stool Sushi Bar
is often full but there are more than a dozen tables that surround the casual dining area
and seating is usually readily available.
G
Porter's
enjoys a great reputation. They deserve the recognition. The owners have worked hard to
establish an upscale, comfortable environment that serves consistently good food. The
historical 1910 train station is a perfect location for this lively downtown restaurant
and bar that is acknowledged as a 'Steak House". The high ceilings, dark wood,
preserved tile work and era memorabilia are charming and distinctive. The outdoor patio
dining is a lovely spot, tastefully appointed and a local favorite when the often,
changing valley weather permits. Porters Bar is a local hot spot for professional
clientele and is often used as a location to discuss details after a long day. The
two-fiddy happy hour menu is an outstanding offer and is of surprisingly good quality.
Reservations for the dining room are suggested to avoid the wait...but if you have to
wait; the lounge area is worth a look around. Dinner reservations can be made at (541)
857-1910. You may preview the menu on line or simply mosey on down to the corner of Front
and Fifth and savor the neighborhood along the way.
H
Red
Rock family style Italian dinners will fill you to the brim with
butter, cream and pasta. The anti pasta salad is a favorite when followed with Pasta
Parmesan with grilled chicken. Red Rock's full service bar is a popular location and the
al fresco dining (weather permitting) is an alternative to the some time, noisy dining
room. The food is fresh, well priced, and you're going home with leftovers. The service
staff is young and friendly. Take out is available by calling 541-773-6840 and the easy
four block trek down the esplanade is a perfect way to burn up some of that consumed
butter and cream. On line menu and dining information can be found at
www.redrockitalianeatery.com. Red Rock is located at the corner of Forth and Fir, just
across the tracks from Porters
I Habaneros is located on the corner of Fifth and Front directly across
the street from Porters. No wonder...both sites are owned by the same partnership and
the attention to detail and appropriate decor is an obvious correlation. Although
Habaneros, aka Habi's is known for it's Southwest Style cuisine, friendly service and
chicken mole, the Cantina is a lively after hours location celebrating local, rock n roll
bands and a hearty 'singles scene'. The small but active shaded patio welcomes sidewalk
patrons, inviting guests to enjoy a traditional South of Border blended beverage. No salt
please.
J
38
on Central is the latest addition to Medford's Downtown nightlife
entertainment. The central location and free parking add to the convenience of this dining
location. Special attention has been given to the restoration of this downtown
establishment and the subtle lighting, hard wood floors and original brick offer a
welcoming, warm ambiance to the dining area. The mezzanine lounge is playful and well
decorated. Also, pay attention to the hanging art. Happy Hour is a hopper! The service
staff is attentive and well trained. The environment is absolutely lovely. The menu ranges
from choices of tuna and duck to short ribs and rib eye. The experience has a matching
price tag. You may make reservations, and they are recommended by calling (541) 776-0038
K Howie's on Front located at 16 N. Front St. offers luncheon sandwiches
and specials that are 'the bomb'. Lunch is often an active, 'working mans' hang out and if
not careful, lunch will turn to happy hour, and happy hour to fired cheese sticks for
dinner, until you finally 'roll' home. The active pool and gaming tables may draw the
attention of the competitor and the single's scene is often a lively, humorous distraction
from the day to day professional grind. You can try to reach the bar at 773-5767. The
staff will answer...but may not be able to hear you..."you wanna' talk to
who??? Sorry, no one here answers by that name." click____
L
Walk down to G'rilla
Bites at 226 E Main St. when you want to give your body a gift. The
friendly, Informative staff, convenient location and organic menu Items are treats for the
body as well as the spirit. The roasted turkey with cranberry and cream cheese sandwich Is
an all time favorite at lunch. You may view menu selection and corporate concept at their
website. Daily specials as well as the entire menu is available 'to go' by phoning (541)
245-9802.
M Japanese Cuisine is available at Bonsai Teriyaki found on the corner
of N. Grape and W. 6th. This small sushi bar consists of five seats but the twenty plus
dining tables keep the Sushi Artisans knives flying. The booths and tables are filled to
capacity at noon. However, the friendly staff works smoothly to insure that guests are fed
and back to work with time to spare. Dinner take out is very popular and can be ordered by
phoning (541) 608-0439.
N The Downtown location of Jackson Creek Pizza is easily found at
317 E Main St., across the street from Premier West Bank on the corner of Bartlett and
Main. You will be enticed by a terrific selection of micro brew beers on tap and a more
than decent local wine selection to compliment your menu choices. The secret pizza crust
recipe is even better when used for Calzones. The fresh menu also consists of some pretty
good salad choices and all are available to go. (541) 734-734-7322
O
It's rather obvious, (look at the vehicle compared to the building in the photo) that
the Yellow Submarine Sandwich
shop located at 137 South Central Avenue,
could use a bit more square footage...especially at lunch time. The line at the
counter has been known to back out the front door and around the corner...but the hot
pastrami Is worth every moment of the wait and the true corn beef Ruben Is worth twice
that. If you don't have the time to wait you can try calling ahead 779-7589...but the
line Is still 'the line' and you may be tripped for trying to take cuts. Not
really...You'll find that your time waiting goes by rather quickly. The folks who work
the counter have been doing It for a very long time and the system of operations Is more
than functional. Besides...what better way to get to know the community than to be In
the same place at the same time. .
P Cadillac Cafe is a City employee luncheon hot spot. This
Independently owned establishment is within very easy walking distance at 207 W 8th St.
between Grape and Holly. Although, the ordering, waiting and dining sequence can be
confusing, the home made soup and sandwich and several other comfort foods available, beg
for your return.
Q If you're not careful you'll miss this terrific little deli located at 406 W Main. It's
called Deli Down for a reason. You get to walk down stairs to this very
popular lunch spot and the descent reminds you that you're hungry as the aromas of the
days fare filter through the air. This family owned operation Is recognized for their
daily luncheon business as well as off site catering which can be evidenced by the signed
photos of Bill Cosby, the Indigo Girls, and a variety other artists who have performed at
the Local Britt Festival In Jacksonville. You can contact Deli Down In person or by
phoning 541-772-4520
R Mellelo's Coffee Roasters proudly claims two downtown corner sites.
The original location is found at the corner of E. 6th and Front. The most recent coffee
corner is just blocks away at the corner of Main and Holly, where you can order your
favorite style of coffee and enjoy the 'locals' who often fill the place or take your
coffee outside and sit in the park. Both Locations offer whole or ground beans for your
brewing pleasure and a variety of sweet breads to go with your coffee of choice. .
