Backyard Bistro puts its wheels down in Sisters

Sisters' second food cart has put down its wheels in the backyard at Eurosports. And that backyard gave the eatery its name: Backyard Bistro.

"We walked out here and I said, 'Man, this is just like your backyard," said owner/operator Scott Summers.

The backyard at Eurosports is located on the corner of Hood Avenue and Fir Street. Eurosports owner Brad Boyd has the capability to house up to five carts in what he refers to as a "food cart pod."

Backyard Bistro is a family operation for Summers, his wife, Tashina Youngstrom, and their daughters Malia and Jaid. They hail from Bend, but have always been drawn to Sisters.

"We love Sisters," Scott said. "We travel this direction from Bend any chance we get."

Summers and his wife both bring 25 years of experience in the restaurant business to bear on his new venture. Scott has started up a franchise restaurant, a brewery in Colorado, and he has a wide range of experience in Alaska, where he worked for years before moving to Bend eight years ago.

Opening a food cart was an attractive option for him because it allows him creativity and flexibility in his offerings.

"It gives me the freedom to change up my menu as I need to," he said. It's a "small, condensed menu, so I can keep it fresh and change it over."

That means seasonal changes. Right now, tacos and Jamaican jerk are on the menu, along with other offerings. Come fall and winter, you'll start seeing soups and curries.

Summers describes the Backyard Bistro cuisine as "fresh, healthy fusion food." He loves to take elements from different ethnic foods and combine them in unique ways, "combining, say, Asian flavors with American, maybe bringing in, occasionally, Italian. Our Caprese grilled cheese is a classic example of that."

Working together as a family is another perk.

"It's been a great opportunity for my family to come together to do this," Scott said. "My daughters are my workers, so it's a complete family business."

In keeping with the business model envisioned by Boyd, Summers has a year-long lease. His operating times are up to him.

"I'd definitely like to operate year-round," Summers said. "We have a great local following, which I hope will sustain us through the lean months."

Find them at Backyard Bistro Sisters on Facebook.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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