A whole roast chicken or a steak that weighs nearly two pounds. That is the dinner decision at Cowboy Dinner Tree, a rustic restaurant outside Silver Lake in Oregon’s high desert. The portions are a big part of its appeal, but so is the setting: a weathered building, open country and a meal worth planning a drive around.
Planning a visit? Cowboy Dinner Tree is at 50836 E. Bay Road, Silver Lake, Oregon, about 90 minutes from Bend. Reserve by calling 541-576-2426. Dinner is currently $50 per adult, and payment is cash only.
Visitor information checked September 26, 2026 against the restaurant’s official website. Confirm prices and your dinner time when booking.
What is on the Cowboy Dinner Tree menu?
The official menu offers a 26–30-ounce top sirloin or a whole roasted chicken. Both dinners include salad, soup, sweet yeast rolls, a baked potato, dessert and coffee, iced tea or pink lemonade. Children ages 7–13 are listed at $11; children 6 and younger eat free.
Bring a cooler for the trip home. A long drive and a generous dinner are a good reason to plan for leftovers before leaving the house.
How do you make reservations?
Call 541-576-2426 with your party size and the number of steak and chicken dinners. Advance reservations are required; the restaurant says it can book months ahead. It does not allow plate sharing and provides take-home bags. Alcohol is not served.
Make the dinner reservation before building the rest of your itinerary. If your dates are flexible, have a couple of alternatives ready when you call. Ask about any dietary requirements before committing to the drive.
When is Cowboy Dinner Tree open?
Dinner seatings run every half-hour from 4 to 7:30 p.m. The seasonal schedule is:
- December–January: Saturdays.
- February: Fridays and Saturdays.
- March through the Sunday before Memorial Day: Fridays–Sundays.
- Memorial Day weekend–October: Thursdays–Sundays.
- November: Fridays–Sundays.
Treat your confirmed reservation as the plan for your visit, and check for changes before traveling.
Where is Cowboy Dinner Tree, and how do you get there?
Use the restaurant’s street address, 50836 E. Bay Road, Silver Lake, OR 97638, for navigation. Its mailing address is a post office box and will not take you to dinner.
From Bend, the usual approach follows US 97 south, then Oregon 31 toward Silver Lake, with the final turn onto East Bay Road. The restaurant describes the drive as about 90 minutes. Allow extra time for road conditions and stops, especially if you are unfamiliar with this part of Oregon.
Download your route before setting out, bring your payment in cash and give yourself time to arrive before your seating. If you want to combine dinner with exploring, our Fort Rock guide can help you plan an earlier stop. Check the driving time between each stop rather than assuming everything in the high desert is close together.
Can you stay overnight at Cowboy Dinner Tree?
Yes. Cowboy Dinner Tree has four on-site cabins, booked by phone. The published rates are:
- Cabin 1: Sleeps two; $100 per night.
- Cabin 2: Sleeps up to five; $100 for the first two people, plus $25 per additional adult.
- Cabin 3: Sleeps two; $150 per night.
- Cabin 4: Sleeps up to nine; $150 for the first two people, plus $50 per additional adult.
The cabins include bedding, towels, bathrooms, coffee makers, small refrigerators and microwaves. Heating varies by cabin, and summer air conditioning is listed. The restaurant describes Cabins 3 and 4 as ADA compliant; Cabin 2 has a loft with small stairs. Discuss your access needs when booking. Pets are not permitted in the cabins.
Confirm the total for your group and reserve dinner as well as lodging. Staying overnight gives you the option to enjoy the evening without planning the return drive immediately after the meal.
Why is it called Cowboy Dinner Tree?
The restaurant’s account of its history connects the name to ranchers moving cattle along the Sycan Trail toward Sycan Marsh. A juniper tree marked a stopping place where a chuckwagon served beans and biscuits. That connection to cattle country is still central to the restaurant’s identity.
In the family story published on the restaurant’s website, Angel Roscoe explains that her parents bought Cowboy Dinner Tree in 2007 and that she and Jamie took over in 2012. It is a more useful way to understand the place than thinking of it as a conventional steakhouse: dinner, cabins and the surrounding ranch country belong to the same visit.
A few more questions before you go
Are vegetarian or vegan dinners available? The restaurant’s FAQ says it serves beef and chicken rather than vegetarian or vegan entrées. Anyone with dietary restrictions should speak with the restaurant before reserving.
Can you pay by card or check? No. The restaurant specifies cash only. Plan that stop before the drive.
Is it a good stop for a spontaneous dinner? Book first. With required reservations and a rural location, this is a meal to put on the calendar. Once you have a confirmed time, you can build the rest of the day around it.
For current details, use the restaurant’s menu and hours, cabin information and contact page.
