Editor’s note: Things change frequently in the restaurant business, and this article was written more than one year ago. The menu, service, atmosphere and quality may have changed.

Tofu dragon? No problem. Jambalaya? Easy enough to eat on the fly when wrapped in a sheath of wheat.

So when Parrilla Grill opened on Bend’s west side in 2000, featuring creative wraps in a festive atmosphere, the loyal following that developed should not have been a surprise.

The establishment serves up wraps the size of bricks. The classic burrito-style combination features meat, rice and beans with a choice from the condiment spread of cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa and vegetables. Most wraps are available with a choice of steak, fish, chicken or vegetarian.

Other concoctions are ethnic. One is the wrap of Khan, a tortilla smeared with spicy cilantro lime bean paste and filled with rice, bamboo shoots, purple cabbage, Thai chili peanut sauce and a choice of meat and condiments.

The restaurant also features weekly specials like the ahi tuna wrap and a variety of fish tacos.

Just about the only item not homemade, Parrilla owner Jeff Dearing said, are the tortillas. The staff makes the restaurant’s salsas and sauces. They grill the meats and whip up the dressings.

Dearing has cooked in four-star restaurants but prefers wearing a sombrero behind the Parrilla counter. He conjured recipes for the menu.

He also introduced many of the specials and events at the restaurant. Thus, open mic takes place on occasional Wednesdays throughout the month and bands jam on weekend nights. The annual Show us Your Spokes summer concert series will kick off again in July and features a full lineup of local artists on the stage.

”The big, important point is that it’s fun,” he said.

– Heidi Hagemeier

Parrilla Grill

Location: 635 N.W. 14th St., Bend

Hours: Open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Price Range: $3.50 to $6.75

Alcoholic Beverages: Beer, wine and margaritas served

Kids’ Menu: Yes

Reservations: No

Credit Card: Visa, MasterCard

Contact: 617-9600