High desert cuisine, a strong sense of community and a whole lot of fun—That’s the bedrock of the Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge, which opened in the summer of 2024 on Bend’s west side. Hawk & Huck is a coming-home project for celebrity chef Brian Malarkey and his entrepreneurial brother James. The two long dreamed of bringing a slice of their Central Oregon ranching heritage to Bend, and with the help of Executive Chef Carlos Anthony, that dream has come to fruition in this modern cowboy steakhouse. 

Locals are buzzing about the $10 happy hour burger (add a Coors Light for a buck!) and the $5 beef fat fries. “We have all this beef from the ranch and tons of trim,” explains Chef Anthony, so it’s a win-win for guests and for the restaurant to offer this daily special every day from 4 to 5 p.m. in the bar, lounge, patio and late nights. Plus, the bar, which is right at the entrance, is the heartbeat of the establishment, getting the same energy and love as the kitchen, says Anthony. And just like the food, the cocktail craftsmanship goes deep into Oregon, focusing on in-season ingredients.

What else makes Hawk & Huck such a hot spot? “The experience,” says Anthony, who came to town to help open the restaurant but then fell in love with Bend and decided to relocate his family here. “We are very much about the experience and making you feel at home. That’s what hospitality is all about. We want you to be able to come in with your family and not break the bank, to feel a sense of community, and to experience something fun, exciting and memorable.” 

The menu is deeply rooted in ranch-to-plate traditions, showcasing beef and produce from the Malarkey’s nearby Tumalo ranch and ingredients from other high desert farmers and ranchers. Anthony says they’ve spent time since opening digging deeper into what is grown here, what the people are like and what the community is about so that the steakhouse can reflect this place and tell the stories of each farmer, rancher and local ingredient that has managed to grow, survive and thrive in this challenging climate. 

There’s an on-site butcher shop and smoker with a mission to use the entire animal. High-quality steaks and other creative dishes are all connected to this area. Campfire Cornbread, a cowboy-cut Porterhouse, Bourbon Date Cake with toasted hazelnuts, and Cowboy Coffee with Lewis & Clark Northwest Bourbon are just a few of the hearty food offerings representing the Central Oregon lifestyle. 

“Our menu continues to evolve. We started with the premise of finishing our own beef on hemp and barley. Then we asked, ‘What else can we do here that represents Oregon?’ It’s exciting to see the other side of the meat market. The vegetables that grow here have to be better because they go through adversity. We want to highlight those vegetables and make them fantastic,” Anthony emphasizes. 

Then, of course, there’s the whole vibe of the place—the urbane cowboy décor, the wood, the leather, the art, the lighting—an inviting, comfortable atmosphere made even more welcoming by the service. “The people make it; this staff is incredible!” Anthony boasts. 

If you have a large party, you’re in luck, as Hawk & Huck has a range of spaces to accommodate events of all sizes. There’s a private dining room, which seats up to 14, semi-private canvas tents that seat up to 22, and a private space for up to 80 guests is also available. 

From intimate dinners to grand celebrations and private events, Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge is a dynamic venue that celebrates the culinary heritage of Central Oregon. 

Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge is located at 225 SW Century Drive in Bend. For more information, visit hawkeyeandhuckleberrylounge.com or call 541-728-2802. Open daily at 4 p.m.