All around Eugene, some things to eat that’ll beat the heat

Don’t slap the hand that feeds you, unless said hand turned on the oven this past weekend.

With record-breaking heat Sunday and Monday, June 14-15, the last thing I wanted to do was cook, especially in an apartment with no air conditioning. 

Instead of my usual methods for cooling down (sticking my head in the freezer for 20 seconds, housing half a watermelon and counting it toward my daily eight glasses of water), my dining companion and I embarked on an edible journey to find Eugene’s best hot-weather offerings.

Delicias Tiki Tiki’s mango-pineapple drink
Lane County Farmers Market, Farmers Market Pavilion, 85 E. Eighth Ave.
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays

Rule one of venturing into unrelenting heat: Hydrate.

If you’re a Lane County Farmers Market regular, you’ll recognize the rainbow of agua fresca jugs lining Delicias Tiki Tiki’s stand. On a hot day, it’s impossible not to order one of their Mexican refreshers, a simple blend of fruit, sugar and water. I chose the mango-pineapple, an icy, fruit-forward and not-too-sweet treat. My only issue was guzzling it too quickly. 

Pro tip: This nonalcoholic beverage is perfect as is, but spiking it with rum at home would make for an excellent tropical cocktail. 

Edible Improv’s lemon curd crepes
Edible Improv, Eugene Saturday Market Food Court, 126 E. Eighth Ave.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays

Yes, it comes hot, but Edible Improv’s 2 Step crepe rivals smoothie bowls and overnight oats for the ideal summertime breakfast, in my opinion. Puckering lemon curd and fresh sliced strawberries are spread over a paper-thin pancake, which is folded into a pretty package and dolloped with a ribbon of cool whipped cream. 

Pro tip: At the risk of choking on powdered sugar in the middle of Eugene Saturday Market, don’t inhale the crepe. Not that I would know anything about that.

A cold beer and shrimp tostadas at Fisherman’s 
Fisherman’s Market, 830 W. Seventh Ave.
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday to Saturday

We went to Fisherman’s Market for the shrimp cocktail but pivoted after seeing the ceviche tostada special: juicy shrimp swimming in a citrusy, slightly spicy marinade with cucumbers and tomatoes. Despite drowning in ceviche juice — which I ended up drinking — the fried corn tortilla maintained its crunch, no flop or sog in sight (not that it took long to inhale).

Paired with a lemony $3 hefeweizen pint — a collaboration between Fisherman’s and Hop Valley Brewing — this was an elite combination on a scorcher of a day. 

We ordered the tostada special over the weekend (June 13), so if it’s not available the day you go, there are still plenty of coldies to enjoy, and Fisherman’s Market runs specials throughout the week. The shrimp cocktail is available daily. 

Pro tip: Snack on Fisherman’s smoked salmon on a stick for a cool, savory lollipop while waiting for your meal. 

Jade’s spicy cold noodles
Jade Dumpling & Noodle House, 207 E. Fifth Ave., Suite 100
Noon to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday

Humans need to sweat. What better way to do it than slurping on cold noodles slicked with a garlicky Sichuan sauce? The pleasant numbing effect of this fragrant, citrusy peppercorn sneaks up on you as you enjoy Jade’s bouncy hand-pulled noodles.

We also snacked on the cold sliced beef, also tongue-tingling. The chewy yet tender braised beef is spiked with black vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and aromatics. It comes heaped with cilantro and thin sliced veggies. We finished our peppery cold trifecta with Jade’s marinated sour and spicy cucumbers.

Pro tip: You can try a similar dish at home and buy instant cold noodles (in broth or sauce) from Asian grocery stores such as King’s in west Eugene and Sunrise in south Eugene. 

Cocktails at Bartini
Bartini Bistro, 1203 Willamette St., Suite 130
4 to10 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 4 p.m. to midnight Friday to Saturday

Picture this: The sun is setting and temps are cooling down just enough to enjoy a drink on the patio. We experienced that exact scenario at Bartini, alongside its seasonal rotation of inventive cocktails and a swanky vibe with indoor/outdoor seating. 

The evening we went, our bartender told us about a new cocktail special boasting Sichuan-infused vodka (sensing a theme here?), rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, lime and lemongrass. If Thai coconut curry had a sweet, boozy cousin, this drink would be it.

A pint of strawberries
Farmers markets and stands across Lane County

“Oh my God, I can’t stop eating these.” — me, inhaling 12 ounces of strawberries 5 minutes after buying them from Bare Hands Organic Farm at Lane County Farmers Market. 

Pro tip: For strawberries, be sure to call ahead or check on social media for hours, availability and U-pick options at your favorite stand or market. Berry season is also rolling in with raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. Oh, and cherries. 

What’s your favorite edible way to beat the heat? Let food correspondent Taylor Goebel know at taylor@lookoutlocal.com.