The Only Argentine Restaurant East of the Cascades Eyes a World Cup

The owners of Bangers and Brews, a beloved Argentine restaurant on Bend's westside celebrate a chance for the World Cup.

In the heart of Bend’s westside sits Bangers and Brews, a beloved family-owned restaurant that serves a wide range of gourmet meats, with an Argentine flair. The restaurant is owned by Ruben and his wife Mercedes, with their son Marcelo managing the daily operations and growth strategy.

Recently he has expanded the business into a thriving franchise, with multiple locations set to open in Portland and Eugene. His parents still work at the original westside location frequently. 

While you wait for your order, fresh bread and the house chimichurri is available to nibble on. Chimichurri, an uncooked sauce that originates from Argentina, is deeply embedded in the country's culture and traditions. Most meals in Marcelo’s homeland are accompanied by a bowl, whose recipe varies depending on the cook. Bangers and Brew’s chimichurri is legendary amongst its many customers. 

As 11:00 am nears on a chilly Bend morning, customers start to shuffle in. A group of construction workers order the popular “Bangers and Mash”, a regular orders a meal to-go for his wife, and a traveling nurse, who Marcelo quickly recognizes as a newbie, is taken through how to best order off their menu. 

In the background, Argentina vs Croatia, the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup is in full swing. Croatia, the underdog, finds themselves against an Argentine team that features one of the most legendary soccer players of all time, Lionel Messi. As Messi nears the end of his career, his country and huge following are eager to see him win the World Cup, a championship that has eluded him in his otherwise triumphant career. 

Though young at the time, Marcelo remembers the last time Argentina won the World Cup with Diego Maradona. A sense of pride gleams across his face. Now, he wants the same for Messi. Excited at the chance of Argentina reaching the World Cup, he exclaims, “The Argentine special will be $10 for the rest of the day!” 

The packed restaurant pays close attention to the game - very aware they are dining in the only Argentine restaurant east of the Cascades - but their focus is still the food. 

Argentina, according to Marcelo, “eats, breathes, and dies soccer” and today, his county was rewarded with 3-0 win versus a scrappy Croatia team. After Messi punched in the first goal, a regular asks him, “Where’s Ruben?” as he quickly canvasses the room for the Bangers and Brews patriarch. 

Marcelo responds, with a smile, “At home watching…I gave him the day off.”