The 41 Best Oregon Mom & Pop Restaurants to Eat At in 2024

by | Jan 6, 2023 | Food & Drink

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We're going a bit out on a limb here at That Oregon Life. This story began as a sort of "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" list, but after a giant list of my own and a slew of recommendations from friends all over the state, we realized that wasn't going to work.

"Mom & Pop" encompasses so much more. Family. Local. History. Maybe it's that place where everybody knows your name. Your favorite spot to stop over on a road trip across Oregon. The local watering hole where friends and family have been gathering for the past 30 years. That hidden gem yet to be discovered. If you live in Oregon, you may be familiar with a lot of these places. So without further preamble, we give you:

The Best Mom & Pop Restaurants In Oregon

(Scroll to the end of the article for an interactive Google map with clickable locations for every eatery on our list.)

The Coast

1. Otis Cafe, Lincoln City

We may be a bit biased because this is our number-one breakfast spot anywhere in the state. So much so that it has its own article. Must try: German Potatoes, Sourdough Pancakes, and freshly baked Molasses Bread.

best mom & pop restaurants in oregon
Image via / The Author
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Freshly baked goodness. / Image via / Facebook / Otis Cafe

2. Barnacle Bistro, Gold Beach

We stopped here on a whim while traveling down the coast, and oh my my my. Evan and Erin have put their hearts into serving big, beautiful, delicious, and locally-sourced dishes. The bar menu was wonderful too with fun new beers to try.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Barnacle Bistro
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Basil parmesan ling cod with fresh garden salad at Barnacle Bistro. / Image via / Facebook / Barnacle Bistro

3. Mattie's Pancake House, Brookings

The reviews here are absolute raves, from the service to the food. Huge fluffy pancakes, amazing omelets, and extra-crispy potatoes. Plus, Mattie's is right down the road from the ocean. What's not to love?

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / Jamie Jefferson

4. Bowpicker Fish & Chips, Astoria

Ahhhhhh, another one of our personal favorites, not to be missed while visiting Astoria. The Bowpicker is literally a boat, permanently moored on a big patch of grass in the middle of town. The fish here is thick slabs of battered albacore tuna and it's to die for. Owners Ron and Linda know how to do it right.

Astoria Oregon Fish And Chips Astoria Trolley
Image via Bowpicker Fish & Chips.
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Battered albacore = YUM. / Image via / Google Local / Carrielyn Louie

5. Yatai, Lincoln City

When I'm in the mood to really treat myself I grab a Spicy Tuna or Salmon Poke Bowl from Yatai. It's the perfect combo of savory and spicy, piled with masago, crab and seaweed salad on the side of very fresh fish. All of the rolls are incredible too, with amazing service to boot.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Yatai's unassuming facade hides some of the best sushi in Oregon.
Image via / Google Local

6. The Crazy Norwegian's Fish & Chips, Port Orford

An Oregon coast institution, Crazy's makes all of their soups, pies, sauces, and dressings in-house. Known for their awesome fish and chips, they also offer mouth-watering burgers, tacos, and of course...clam chowder. The setting is cozy and you'll feel like family.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / The Crazy Norwegian's Fish and Chips
best mom & pop restaurants oregon

7. Old Oregon Smokehouse, Rockaway Beach

Chowder and fish and coleslaw, oh my! It's common on busy weekends in Rockaway to find folks lined up out the door, but the food here is always worth the wait. Owned by Harold, Cindy, and Adam Brecht, the Old Oregon Smokehouse has even garnered national nods from USA Today for best seafood.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / Perry Low
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / Chunglin Wen

8. Grateful Bread Bakery, Pacific City

The folks here have been "baking the world a better place since 1991". Many of Grateful Bread Bakery’s most popular items are the original recipes from 20 years ago, yet, the owner Robyn Barcroft and her staff continue to add new items on a regular basis. Not just for baked goods and pastries though; you have to try their daily soups, sandwiches, pizza, and locally-caught fish tacos.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Grateful Bread Bakery
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Grateful Bread Bakery

9. Berry Patch Restaurant, Westport

Stan Eggas started the Berry Patch out of a single bay of a pole building in 1987, making delicious blackberry jams for the community. Today you'll find room for more than 100 diners and over 26 varieties of jellies, jams, syrups, and soups in the gift shop. Pies are made daily in the kitchen, and the delightful aroma wafts into the dining area where breakfast, lunch, and dinner grace the menu.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / The Berry Patch Restaurant

The Valley

10. Scottie's Drive-In, Forest Grove

Owned and operated by the Lohrer family for 40 years, Scottie's has been a Forest Grove tradition since 1956. My own family has been eating here since the 60s, and I have fond memories of grabbing a huge swirl ice cream cone on my walk home from middle school. The burgers are excellent, and the broasted chicken is a must-try.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / Jonathan Wood
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Scottie's Drive-In

11. Addi's Diner, Springfield

Addi's is one of those fabulously quirky places you'll love to come back to again and again. The decor is amazing, with loads of vintage fun crammed into every corner. The food comes in Fred Flintstone-sized portions of mammoth pancakes, chicken fried steak, and dishes with fantastic names: The Train Wreck, the Pile Up, and the Whatchamacallit.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Kateara Chavez

12. Rosebud Cafe, Scappoose

A local favorite, the Rosebud is a folky, Grateful Dead-inspired bar and cafe. You'll find a little bit of everything here from lasagna and burgers to chicken pot pie. Things really heat up on the weekends with live bands playing indoors, and outside during pleasant weather. Want a challenge? Try to scarf down the monstrous burger tower. We dare you.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / Andrew Sala
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Rosebud Cafe

13. Word of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro, Salem

Since 2008, WOM has been filling hungry bellies in a cozy atmosphere, and the focus is on handmade, not microwaved. You're definitely going to want to try the Creme Brulee French Toast, Bacon Mushroom & Swiss Hash, and White Chocolate Macadamia Pancakes!

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / Mike Hardie
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Chilaquiles Rojo / Image via / Facebook / Word of Mouth Bistro

14. Tommy's Restaurant, McMinnville

Tommy's is one of those beautifully unassuming spots where if you know, you KNOW. The cozy atmosphere is defined by woodsy walls and Americana with local history. Eating here feels like coming home to family. Generous, comforting portions abound.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Tommy's Restaurant
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / TripAdvisor / Tom G.

15. Squirrel's Tavern, Corvallis

Established in 1974, this treasured drinking-hole is a long-time celebrated local business in downtown Corvallis. A favorite of locals, students, and travelers alike, Squirrel's is funky, fun, and welcoming. Along with the regular burgers and nachos, you'll find mouthwatering goodies like Canadian-staple Poutine (home-cut fries, smothered in gravy and topped with cheese curds).

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Fried Egg on a burger? YES PLEASE. / Image via / Google Local / Paul Jackson
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Squirrel's Tavern

16. Yeasty Beasty, Monmouth

I adore this pizza spot for so many reasons. If Domino's is the height of your pie experience, just stop what you're doing and drive to Monmouth right now. The crust at Yeasty is made fresh every morning with Bob's Red Mill flour and hand-tossed to perfection. Every day there's also a different chef's special to try, so if you're into funky toppings and combinations like I am you'll be sufficiently impressed.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Yeasty Beasty
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Yeasty Beasty's Hot Honey Ham pie. / Image via / Facebook / Yeasty Beasty

17. Helvetia Tavern, Helvetia

My family has been eating here since before I was born. It's permanently ingrained into my roots and without a doubt one of the best burgers I've ever had. The melty cheese. The hand-cut fries. The HUNDREDS of trucker hats adorning the ceiling are a Hillsboro-area icon. Helvetia Tavern is a no-frills kind of place that you'll always feel comfortable walking into.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Helvetia Tavern
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Helvetia Tavern

Portland-Ish

18. Eastwind Drive-In, Cascade Locks

You're driving through the Gorge. You're hungry. Okay, maybe you're not really even THAT hungry, but an ice cream cone suddenly sounds fabulous. It's 45 degrees out and windy as heck, but you don't care. Eastwind Drive-In has been compelling travelers to stop for burgers and cones since 1939.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Our good friend Gary Randall loves Eastwind too. / Image via / Facebook / Gary Randall
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / Diane Webb

19. Vivi's Vietnamese Noodle House, Hillsboro

If you're looking for Pho and Banh Mi that tastes like home, Vivi's is your place. I've been stopping here since a friend recommended it in 2016. Folks on Google agree. The ingredients are always fresh, the seasonings are on-point, and many say this is the best Vietnamese food to be found in the Portland area.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon

Vivis' new storefront as of 2022. / Image via / Google Local / Kind Jujubes

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Vivi's Vietnamese Noodle House

20. Otto & Anita's Schnitzelhaus, Portland

This Bavarian restaurant had me at "Dill Pickle Soup". Otto and his wife Anita have over 55 years of chef experience, cooking and baking everything here from scratch and with love. When Portland's Der Rhinelander closed in 2017, a Germany-sized hole was left in Oregon, but thankfully we still have Otto & Anita's. Of course, there are a multitude of schnitzels to choose from, but also traditional sauerkraut, spaetzle, and lots of old-time Bavarian favorites.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / Cheng-Yee Lin
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / Sambo Pan

21. Mike's Drive-In, Oregon City/Milwaukie/Tigard

My first visit to Mike's was in Oregon City and it will always hold a special place in my heart. Oh, those chili dogs! Onion rings! Milkshakes! The company has been around for 50 years, now owned by Todd Freeman who started out there, flipping burgers at the age of 14. He makes sure everything on the menu is fresh and local, right down to the halibut used for the excellent fish 'n' chip baskets.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Mike's Drive-In
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Mike's Drive-In

22. Banning's Restaurant & Pie House, Tigard

Some of the absolute best food in the Portland/Metro area can be found at Bannings, any meal, any time of day. Craving a midnight slab of homemade Lemon Merangue Pie? They've got you, friend. Since the 1980s, Mark and Trish Banning have kept their restaurant up and running 24 hours a day, seven days a week (all while raising a family). The true definition of "mom & pop".

best mom & pop restaurantys oregon
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Banning's Restaurant and Pie House

23. Hot Cake House, Portland

Welcome to the second 24-Hour restaurant on our list, PDX's original Hot Cake House. This spot has been an icon of SE Powell since 1963, but nowadays the kitchen is cranking out a lot more options. It isn't just about the pancakes. You'll find juicy burgers, full breakfasts, and even steak dinners on the classic menu.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Jorge Burgoa
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / The Berry Patch Restaurant

Central

24. Manley's Tavern, Crescent Lake

When driving Hwy. 58 between Eugene and La Pine, Manley's has become a staple. A MUST-STOP. No kids are allowed within the tavern doors, but heaping to-go orders of the famous broasted chicken and potatoes are always welcome in our family. We get ranch dressing and the sinus-blasting hot mustard on the side along with plenty of napkins. Your fingers and mouths will thank you.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Manley's Tavern
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Manley's Tavern

25. Jake's Diner, Bend

Owners Lyle and Judy Hicks proclaim Jake's as having "the largest portions in Central Oregon", so be sure to bring a hungry belly. Over the years since opening in 1987, hundreds of celebrities have stopped in to partake of the delicious menu, including the Portland Trailblazers, Coldplay, and the Dave Mathews Band.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Jake's Diner
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Jake's Diner

26. The Kitchen Table, Sisters

Owner Stacey Dye loves to cook. She wanted a place of her own to showcase that love and bring it to the community she's lived and worked in for the past 15 years. Everything here comes oven-to-table, housemade with healthy ingredients. The menu is also revolving, changing daily to reflect what's fresh and available. Things you'll usually find: Breakfast Scrambles, Burritos, yummy Breakfast Boxes, soups, and salads.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / The Kitchen Table
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / The Kitchen Table

27. Mo's Egg House, Redmond

Stepping into Mo's is like stepping back in time to your Gramma's country kitchen. Cow murals and wainscotting grace the walls with red and white picnic checkerboarding the menu covers. If you love down-home cooking and staff that makes you feel like long-lost family, you're going to adore this breakfast and lunch joint.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Mo's Egg House
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / Heather Buben

28. The Vida Cafe, Vida

This cozy spot up the McKenzie River has long been a favorite of ours. The original building was in operation since 1951 but succumbed to a fire in 2015. When the Holiday Farm fire struck in 2020, current owners Kelly and Brian lost their home but still managed to keep the beloved restaurant going. Recently I indulged in the best Eggs Benedict and a Bloody Mary that I've ever had. Vida Cafe is well worth the stop when you find yourself upriver.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / The Vida Cafe
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / The Vida Cafe

29. Big Jim's Drive-In, The Dalles

"Hamburgers made with love". This is the Big Jim's slogan that's kept people coming back for 57 years. All the goodies you'd expect from a classic drive-in are served here, including baskets of shrimp, cheeseburgers, loaded chili fries, and one of the greatest treats ever: amazing milkshakes.

The exterior of Big Jim's Drive-In in the Dalles Oregon.
Image via / Facebook / Big Jim's Drive-In Restaurant

Southern

30. Morning Glory Cafe, Ashland

May we just say that breakfasts here are "Glorious"? Well, not just breakfast. The cafe serves up a mean lunch too, along with delicious espresso and mimosas to complete your feast. For something savory, try a Rock Shrimp Crepe, prepared with bacon, tomato, and pepper jack cheese. Feeling sweeter? The Lemon Ricotta Stuffed French Toast has our mouths watering.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Morning Glory Restaurant
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
House-made Banana Bread French Toast with Salted Caramel Syrup. OMG / Image via / Facebook / Morning Glory Restaurant

31. Debby's Diner, Medford

Step into Debby's Diner and step back in time to the 1950s when the jukebox and soda fountain ruled the world. This quaint restaurant has both. Debby’s offers simple yet satisfying American eats – comfort food at its best. The extensive menu has all the expected offerings: bottomless coffee, stacks of pancakes, three-egg omelets, biscuits and gravy, classic burger, crispy fries, piled-high sandwiches, along with hearty entrees and a dessert case that's hard to resist.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / John-Michael Kovacich
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / Felipe Mobile

32. Pete's Drive-In, Roseburg

Pete's opened in 1965 when Harvard Avenue was the busiest street in town, bustling with muscle cars and nostalgia. Today they keep that vibe alive, offering classic car hop service with your order. Be sure to get a side of the "Goop", Pete's own homemade fry sauce, to drench your sides with. It's too good!

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Pete's Drive-In
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Pete's House-Smoked Pork Sammie, topped with homemade coleslaw and Cajun Fries with "goop" on the side. / Image via / Facebook / Pete's Drive-In

33. Ami Japanese Restaurant, Roseburg

Almost every time I visit my dad in Roseburg, we make a trip to Ami. Owned and operated by the Park family since 2006, this Japanese-Korean restaurant serves absolutely mammoth-sized sushi rolls. They're gargantuan, king-sized affairs that are perfect for scarfing down yourself (or ordering a few to share around the table). If sushi isn't your favorite, Ami also serves amazing Bi-Bim-Bap, Yakisoba, Tempura, Ramen, and Korean-style BBQ.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / Bryan Brown

34. Thai Orchid Cafe, Klamath Falls

Thai Orchid's two locations have been serving their delicious, family-style dishes to the K-Falls community for over 20 years. Orders and appetizers come out together because this is the traditional way for families to enjoy a little bit of everything in the spirit of togetherness. Each dish is prepared from scratch and made to order - so you know you're eating fresh and delicious meals every time.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Thai Orchid Cafe
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Facebook / Thai Orchid Cafe

Eastside

35. The Field's Station, Fields

This may be the most off-the-beaten path place on our list, but well worth a mention. Field's Station began life as an Oregon Outback stagecoach stop in 1881. These days it's famous for hand-dipped, real fruit, hard ice cream milkshakes. Owner Sandra Downs and her staff are friendly as can be, but what else would you expect in such a down-home piece of Oregon? We love it here. Guaranteed you will too.

Image via / Facebook / The Fields Station
Coffee, caramel, and chocolate milkshake (the famous "3-C"). / Image via / OREGON_IS_LIFE_84 / Reddit

36. Steakhouse at Cove, Cove

Cove is one of my favorite small Oregon towns, simply because good friends live here and the townfolk are always friendly and welcoming. Chef and owner Rob Hasse's roots are in nearby LaGrande, so when he wanted to open his own restaurant, Union County was calling his name. The Steakhouse serves up incredible grilled meats, burgers, salads, pasta, and house-infused liquors.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Prime Rib...yummmmmm. / Image via / Facebook / Steakhouse at Cove

37. Inland Cafe, Baker City

Apple Pie has been continuously served at the Inland Cafe since 1946. Current owners Don and Sharon Orr have been keeping that American dream alive since 1996. Like so many of the delightful diners we've visited around the state, coming to the cafe is like returning home to mom's house. Homestyle cooking at its finest!

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / Tammy Warner
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Liver & Onions, just like mom used to make. / Image via / Google Local / Narda Ruckman

38. Hal's Hamburgers, Pendleton

One of the absolute best things about restaurants like this is how they've been a cornerstone of their community for so many years. In the case of Hal's, that's 1952. The owners may have changed, but the food and nostalgia certainly haven't. The Speiss family does things in the traditional ways, keeping the old days alive via excellent burgers, fries, shakes, and more.

hal's hamburgers pendleton oregon
Image via / Paul Land / Facebook / Hal's Hamburgers
hal's hamburgers pendelton oregon
Hal's Jumbo Bacon Cheeseburger / Image via / Yelp

39. The Cowboy Dinner Tree, Silver Lake

I don't know of a single list like this one that hasn't covered Cowboy Dinner Tree at some point. It's with good reason because this is a dinner you'll never forget. There are only two options on the menu: a 30 oz. steak or an entire roasted chicken. Both come with all the fixins and the most heavenly biscuits to ever touch your lips. Some folks even bring a small cooler with them for the inevitable leftovers.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Melissa Whitney Photography
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Cowboy Dinner Tree

40. The Dog Spot, Joseph

This is a quirky combo of boutique and cafe where chef Arion Canniff and his wife Amy celebrate their two great loves: excellent food and amazing pets. The menu of made-from-scratch items is constantly revolving; eclectic small plates consisting of international fusion delights. One week you'll find Italian food to nosh on, the next will bring a fully revamped Korean menu. That's just part of the fun.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / Willis Anderson
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / The Dog Spot

41. Dusty Spur Cafe, La Grande

"Not Fast Food, Just Real Food", proudly proclaims this local favorite. Golden crepes with huckleberries, huge fluffy pancakes, cinnamon rolls, and good hot coffee. The exterior is nondescript, but the interior is homey and rustic with food just like grandma made it.

best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / Ramblin Robs
best mom & pop restaurants oregon
Image via / Google Local / Tom Hanson


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Written By Danielle Denham

Danielle Denham is an award-winning and published photographer who loves her home state of Oregon. Recently she was featured on a regional-Emmy-winning episode of Oregon Field Guide, and is currently writing a book on Abandoned Oregon. When she isn't out and about exploring for derelict places to photograph, you may find her hanging around in Eugene Oregon with Tyler Willford and his two awesome kiddos.

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