Valley Commissary – McMinnville, Oregon

When award-winning winemaker and winery owner Rob Stuart of R. Stuart Winery recommended his favorite spot to head for lunch near his winery in McMinnville Oregon…we listened! And his suggestion of the Valley Commissary turned out to be a highlight of our culinary adventures during our stay in that small Oregon city.

The wide open garage doors on the industrial building led us inside where we were quickly greeted by a smiling staff member.

She was happy to help us make our selections from the menu suggestions printed on the large blackboard on the wall.

Peepaw and I chose to split the Turkey Sandwich topped with Bacon, Avocado, Pickled Red Onion and Arugula, and I already knew what I would order to drink after my lively conversation with Mr. Stuart. I had been surprised to learn that even though he is an extremely successful winemaker, he sometimes likes a good old classic American beer…just like me! Not a fancy schmancy craft beer brewed in tea leaves by blindfolded nomads during the full moon only in leap year. Just a good old beer like Miller Lite, Bud Light, or Coors.  He instructed me to order his preferred drink at the Valley Commissary. A “Kitchen Water”. Of course I was intrigued by his suggestion. so when I studied the Drinks menu…there it was! “Kitchen Water” turned out to be a good old draft PBR brew! (I’m still laughing at the name cooked up by the restaurant.) How funny that my dear old dad’s favorite Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer has become the “in” drink once more, so I guess this old Meemaw is now an official “hipster” in 2016. (This one’s for YOU, Dad!)

I laughed out loud when I read the “fine print” on the Drinks menu…

“Want to tip the Kitchen Staff? Buy them a Kitchen Water!”

(I wasn’t surprised to learn that the kitchen staff prefers Kitchen Water to cash…but I hope they’re careful with those chef’s knives on days when tips are really good!)

While we waited for our sandwich to be made, I looked at the gorgeous desserts prepared in the Valley Commissary kitchen. The Lemon Curd Blueberry Tart looked amazing…

And the Whoopie Pies did too.

But I was saving my calories for the stars of that lunch. That fantastic sandwich made with fresh baked focaccia…

And that ice cold glass of “Kitchen Water”. (Cheers to Rob Stuart!)

The industrial vibe in the restaurant was absolutely perfect…

I love the new trend of offering a bottle of water and glasses on every table, especially on a hot summer afternoon.

So how was that turkey sandwich, you might ask?

It was…gone. Very quickly! Absolutely mouth watering…down to the last crumb.

So please…take this old Meemaw’s advice. Always ask a “local” where to go for a great meal…and chances are you’ll leave the table as happy as we did on that special summer day in McMinnville.