Medford, Oregon- Downtown Medford is inviting locals and visitors alike to bring their appetites for a weeklong celebration of food, flavor, and community during its inaugural Forks & Friends Restaurant Week, running Oct. 17–23.
The new event, organized by the Downtown Medford Association with support from Travel Medford, highlights the city’s expanding culinary scene, local farm partnerships, and the bounty of the Rogue Valley harvest. Organizers describe the week as a “foodie’s playground,” with downtown restaurants offering harvest-inspired menus, curated wine pairings, and themed events.
Diverse Dining and Local Flavor
More than 20 downtown eateries are participating, including Common Block Brewing Co., The Copper Plank, Buttercloud Bakery & Café, Caba Empanadas, The Beatrice, Gypsy Blues Bar, Sid’s Smoke N Grill, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Hen & Flour, Luncheonette, Over Easy, Tartine Brunch Club, Medford Food Co-op, Elements Tapas Bar, Pomodori Osteria & Bar, and others.
Many are showcasing special dishes crafted from local ingredients. Highlights include:
• Buttercloud Bakery & Café’s “Smoked Salmon Benny”, made with hot smoked salmon, smoked cheddar hollandaise, and Buttercloud biscuits; plus a pear-cream cheese turnover using Vaughn Farm pears.
• The Beatrice’s “Girl Dinner” Sampler Plate, featuring a cilantro-pepita Caesar, carrot-coconut curry soup, deviled egg, focaccia, and seasonal pasta from Kids Unlimited Pastabilities, served with a glass of wine for $20.
• Caba Empanadas’ Restaurant Week Specials, including a free pumpkin empanada with purchase of six and a $13.75 empanada-and-soup combo.
• The Copper Plank’s BBQ Chicken Pizza Special, topped with local BBQ sauce, smoked cheese, and house-pickled jalapeños.
• Gypsy Blues Bar’s $20 Daily Special, which includes a featured dish and pint of beer, with rotating menu items each day.
• Luncheonette’s Fall Menu Debut, with scratch-baked pumpkin cream cheese rolls, maple bacon rolls, and a Monday farm pop-up featuring produce from Itty Bitty Acres Farm.
Events and Entertainment
Restaurant Week coincides with Medford’s Third Friday Art Walk on Oct. 17, which will kick off the festivities with extended restaurant hours, live music, and local pop-ups.
Other scheduled events include:
• Bales & Ales at Common Block Brewing Co. on Oct. 18, with food and drink specials, pumpkin carving, hay-bale seating, and live music.
• A 1990s Dance Party at The Copper Plank with rotating pizza specials and a pop-up retail market. Sunday Brunch Celebrations on Oct. 19 at Medford Food Co-op Café featuring live music.
• The Beatrice’s Lunch Tasting Menu ($15) offered Oct. 20–23.
• The Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market at Hawthorne Park on Oct. 23, highlighting local farmers and food artisans.
Supporting Local Farms and Small Businesses
Organizers say the event was designed not only to celebrate downtown Medford’s growing dining scene but also to strengthen ties between restaurants and local producers.
“Forks & Friends Restaurant Week is about more than just good food,” the Downtown Medford Association said in a statement. “It’s about supporting our community, connecting people with local farms, and showcasing the creativity that makes Medford such a unique culinary destination.”
Diners can explore participating restaurants and plan their visit through the Forks & Friends Digital Passport, available online at downtownmedford.org.
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