Last month, The Bulletin posed the question: What restaurant does Bend need most? Responses flowed in with ideas for cuisines, restaurants and even a proposal for a renaissance fair with food vendors.

Here’s what you told us, with some answers edited or condensed for clarity.

The most common answer by far was Middle Eastern, followed closely by Ethiopian. Then there were demands for plant-based fare, authentic Chinese and a Jewish Deli. Additionally, readers wrote that Bend needs restaurants serving inexpensive seafood, Korean barbecue and Mediterranean food.

Desire for culinary diversity

Some said they were fed up with the overabundance of burgers, pizza and food carts, asking instead for more sit-down restaurants, especially of the Greek variety. A handful of emails suggested a late-night dessert shop or dim sum restaurant.

Jennifer Stenkamp said she’d like to see a traditional Chinese dim sum restaurant with bamboo steamers pushed around in tea carts.

“I think we can support a dim sum restaurant the same way we support the number of sushi restaurants in Central Oregon,” she said, adding that she recommends the “007 roll” at Oishi in Redmond.

One common thread throughout the comments was variations on Italian cuisines, such as a simple ma and pa restaurant, deli or sub shop. One reader proposed an old-school Italian bakery. Peter Ostrovsky said, “What Bend needs is a locally owned family-style Italian restaurant with a menu full of traditional Italian pasta dishes with every pasta sauce known to man.”

Suggestions for greater diversity encompassed the continent of Europe.

“There is so much delicious, unique and comforting food to explore in Slavic cuisine,” Karolina Krasinska, said. “Starchy dumplings and pierogies of different sorts are the staple of Polish cuisine. Hearty and warming soups for winter and refreshing cold variety for the hot summer days,” she said, adding Big Ski’s Pierogis in The Podski food cart lot is a good start.

Brandon Haakenson said he hopes to see a Nordic-style restaurant with Scandinavian-inspired foods and Viking-style vibes.

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Favored chain restaurants

Others yearned for the familiar, calling for beloved chain restaurants. In order of popularity, the most missed were Red Lobster, Old Spaghetti Factory, Panera and Chili’s.

Ann Perry said she savors memories of frequenting Old Spaghetti Factory in Southern California.

“As a kid, sitting in the trolley car was magical. The darkish, rather ornate interior of each restaurant lent an air of mystery and fostered feelings of being transported to another place and time,” Perry said. “Should one be built here in Central Oregon, paradise would be complete.”

Carmen West echoed sentiments for a Panera or Red Lobster.

Bill Johnston listed off restaurants he missed compared to his former home in Billings, Montana. He said he misses Fuddruckers, Godfather’s Pizza and Golden Corral, which has “a wonderful, affordable buffet that the young, rich millennials poo-poo.”

Bend residents who had relocated from Southern states said they craved good old-fashioned Southern food. Raegan Fesmire, a former Tennessee resident, said she misses, “fried okra and green tomatoes, truly hand-battered and breaded chicken strips, Southern-style steak salads (and) burgers that don’t try too hard.”

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Jerry Marcyk said Bend needs a 24-hour diner.

“Someplace where I can get hashbrowns and eggs, coffee, a waffle, or a hamburger and fries at 3 a.m.,” he said.

A heartfelt thank you to the readers who took the time to email or leave a voicemail on this topic. Your responses were much appreciated. If there’s anything else on your mind regarding Central Oregon’s food scene, my inbox is open.