Boston's Restaurant & Sports Bar Dining Review

By Laurel Brauns

For those looking for a welcoming, family atmosphere a few doors down from the Factory Stores in southeast Bend, pay a visit to Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Bar. The 6,444-square-foot dining establishment is located at the site of the old Jake’s Truck Stop on Third Street and is the first Oregon location for the Dallas-based chain, which operates over 50 other restaurants throughout the United States.

Inside, the restaurant is spacious and festive and has a classic sports bar feeling to it, punctuated by 12 50-inch TVs displaying a wide range of sporting events. Bring your friends, and make yourself comfortable in one of the large booths that line the wall facing the bar, or dine outside on the patio overlooking Mt. Bachelor.

The menu has a wide variety of options to please both the pizza connoisseur and the health nut in the group.

Starters:

For appetizers, start with the Mediterranean Fondue served on Boston’s signature Parmesan pizza bread. The fondue is made from a combination of Fontina and creamy Alfredo sauce, a dash of red pepper flakes, red onions, white wine and capers.

Another favorite starter is the Southwest Ravioli: lightly breaded Italian ravioli filled with a combination of Monterey jack and cheddar, jalapenos and red peppers and a side of Ranch dressing for dipping sauce.

Specialty Drinks:

Don’t miss Boston’s summer specialty margaritas including the “buzzer-beater” margarita made with Cointreau and 1800 Reposado. The restaurant also includes a wide selection of drafts from local breweries like Mirror Pond Pale Ale from Deschutes Brewery and Elk Lake Ale from Bend Brewing Company.

Pizza:

Boston’s specializes in “Masterpiece” pizzas. While the pepperoni fanatic will go crazy for the Ultimate Pepperoni Pizza—featuring both sliced AND diced pepperoni, culinary adventurers should check out the BLT: pizza crust topped with smoked bacon, sliced tomatoes, mayo and shredded iceberg lettuce.

One of the best surprises at Boston’s is their healthy pizza options. You can order individual whole wheat crust pizzas featuring any combination on the menu, and those with gluten allergies can also order a gluten-free crust pie for an additional charge.

Entrees:

Both authentic Italian and world-inspired gourmet pasta dishes make the perfect accompaniment to a fresh Caesar or house salad. Try the Jambalaya Fettuccini which features grilled chicken, shrimp, spicy Italian sausage, tomatoes, green peppers, green onions and black olives tossed in a spicy Cajun tomato sauce. Or stick with tradition and try the Baked Lasagna, layered with Italian sausage, Ricotta and ground beef, topped with Boston’s own Pomodora sauce and Mozzarella cheese.

Other house specialties include classics like Halibut and Chips and Chicken Parmesan. Add a side of creamy red skin potatoes or Florentine rice to complete the perfect meal.

Healthy Meals:

One of the best surprises about Boston’s Restaurant is the amount of scrumptious and healthy options they have on their menu. Besides their excellent whole wheat and gluten-free pizza crust options, you can also try either the Asian-Glazed Salmon or the Oven-Roasted Salmon, both served with a side of broccoli and rice.

Lunch:

Boston’s also offers a full range of unforgettable options for a relaxing lunch after a morning of shopping at the Outlet Mall next door. Try the Flying Buffalo calzone made with Fontina, Mozzarella and spicy chicken tossed with a spicy Buffalo wing sauce all folded within Boston’s signature pizza crust. Yum!

Best for last:

Finish off a great meal with Boston’s Hot Brandy Cream Pie, smothered in brandy butter and drizzled with chocolate sauce. Or choose an East Coast favorite, the New York Cheesecake, made with a graham cracker crust and drizzled with a choice of cherry or strawberry topping.

So, whether you are out for an afternoon bargain hunting with the girls, or catching a game with your best friends on Monday night, look no further then Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Bar.