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The owner of Mandy's is planning a second all-night diner-style eatery near campus. A Detroit-style pizzeria is growing up into it's own space. Eugene is having a Vegan Chef Challenge in February. Plus lots more.
Welcome to “On the Fly,” a new column highlighting Lane County’s latest food and drink news: comings, goings, events and more.
It’s been less than a month since I moved to Lane County, and I’ve already experienced my first Dungeness crab, food truck sopes, cakey pumpkin cookies and flakey croissants, poke (more on this Hawaiian dish soon) and a host of other foods showcasing this diverse slice of Oregon.
I’m also stoked to launch ongoing storytelling efforts and series, including this one: “On the Fly,” which will give readers a quick rundown of Lane County’s latest food and drink happenings.
Since we’re keeping this particular series short(ish) and sweet, let’s get into it:
New and upcoming
From the owner of Mandy’s, a new diner near campus
Eugene is gaining a new diner, and it’ll run 24/7, slinging out classics like omelets, hash browns, chicken strips, burgers, milkshakes and fries.
Mandy’s Diner is slated to open in mid-March at the former Manola’s Thai Cuisine (652 E. Broadway), which closed last year. It will be the second eatery for Amanda “Mandy” Watts, owner of Mandy’s Family Restaurant on Willamette Street in Eugene.
“We’re really going to embrace the fact that we’re around Ducks students,” Watts said. “We’ll have amazing booths that are green and yellow.”
Detroit-style pizzeria is growing up
One year after launching last February as a kitchen-share at The Washburne Café in Springfield, Charred APizza will have its own restaurant on Main Street, adding Detroit-style to Springfield’s pizza scene.
Co-owners Dave Lucht and Terry McKay plan to crank out the first pie at their brick-and-mortar by early March, if not sooner. The eatery is located at the former Noodle N Thai, 553 Main St.
Patrons can dine in, pick up a hot pie, or stop by the grab-and-go section for a frozen meal.
Round and square pies will be on the menu, alongside lasagna with fresh pasta sheets, bubbling raclette pots and pizza rangoons. Patrons can lighten up at the salad bar stocked with locally grown produce, then slide up to the bar for house-made sodas, mixologist-crafted cocktails and root beer floats. The star is Charred’s Detroit-style pizza, with a thick yet airy crust and characteristic cheese-laced edges.
Out with the old wine bar, in with the new
Hersch Wine Lounge is opening Feb. 7 at the former Springfield wine bar of Iris Vineyards, which closed its Main Street tasting room in December. Husband-and-wife team David and Maddie Hersch are curating wines from throughout the Pacific Northwest, stating on their website, “When we later learned that a beloved downtown wine bar was retiring, we knew we wanted to help keep that gathering place alive.” The couple will host a ticketed prelaunch gathering from 6 to 9 p.m., Feb. 6. Lookout will have more coverage on this new venture soon.
Sushi tacos and fiery rolls on West 11th
Kasumi House opened in early January and offers Japanese comfort food for a variety of culinary moods, from ramen and teriyaki bento boxes to a tuna sushi roll served on fire. They also have an extensive bubble tea menu.
A fun take: their sushi tacos. They come two to an order ($17.95) and are filled with rice, kani (imitation crab) salad, and your choice of soft shell crab, salmon, raw tuna or shrimp. The tempura-fried seaweed shell is surprisingly sturdy, promising a loud and satisfying crackle with every bite.
If you go: Kasumi House offers dine-in or takeout and is at 2190 W. 11th Ave., Eugene.
Washburne and Track Town to open locations in Thurston
The Washburne Café and Track Town Pizza will add second locations to a new family center near Thurston High School in Springfield. The Joyce A. Langeliers Family Center aims to serve youth and families in a community space and will hold its grand opening Feb. 28. Both the Washburne and Track Town announced tentative plans to open sooner.
If you go: The Joyce A. Langeliers Family Center is at 5807 and 5809 A St., Springfield.
Food events and happenings
Eugene Vegan Chef Challenge kicks off Feb. 1
At least 18 food establishments will participate in the Eugene Vegan Chef Challenge this year, offering new plant-based menu items for the entire month of February. Vegan poutine, Japanese tofu and potato stew, mac and cheese and mushroom bourguignon are among the chef specials.
Go on the art walk; learn to make dumplings
Celebrate the Lunar New Year during the first First Friday ArtWalk of 2026, with a traditional Chinese Lion Dance and other performances. Tiger Mama, Taste of India and Bobablastic will be the food vendors. Patrons can also learn how to make Chinese dumplings during a live demonstration.
If you go: Downtown Farmers Market Pavilion, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6, at 85 E. Eighth Ave. For more information, visit Lane Arts Council’s website.
Eugene’s Saturday Farmers Market is back
Grab fresh produce every Saturday at the (currently) indoor/outdoor market in Eugene.
If you go: Lane County Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday at the Downtown Farmers Market Pavilion, 85 E. Eighth Ave.