The combination of mouthwatering comfort food, ice cream and pie, along with a rich local history, makes Austin House a standout spot to check out in eastern Oregon.

If you’re traveling through the wide-open beauty of eastern Oregon and craving a hearty home-cooked meal, the Austin House Café in Bates is a stop you don’t want to miss. Tucked away at the junction of US 26 and Highway 7, this hidden gem in the middle of nowhere offers a warm welcome, delicious food, and a dash of local history.

Get A Little Slice of History At Austin House In Bates, Oregon

This café is more than just a stop for food; it’s a portal to the past. Built in 1959, the Austin House carries forward the legacy of the stagecoach stop that once served travelers in the late 1800s.

The centerpiece is the stunning mahogany bar, built in Chicago in 1864 and transported to Oregon in the era of stagecoaches. Inside, rustic wood accents, a stone hearth fireplace, and vintage décor take visitors back to simpler times.

Mark and Mindi Shelton, the husband-and-wife team behind the Austin House, bring a unique blend of culinary skill and warm hospitality to the table. With backgrounds in catering and teaching, they’ve infused the café with their passion for great food and community. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite to eat on your travels or lingering over dessert, you’ll be treated like family here.

Newton Station, Austin, And Bates History

The area surrounding Austin House Café carries a rich tapestry of history that echoes the industrious spirit of its early settlers. Originally known as Newton Station, it became Austin in 1888, named after Minot Austin, who established a post office and, along with his wife Linda, ran a stagecoach station that served hearty meals to travelers. By the early 1900s, Austin thrived as a key stop on the Sumpter Valley Railroad, which connected Baker City to Canyon City, making it a bustling hub for timber and transport. Nearby, the company-owned mill town of Bates sprang to life in 1917, supporting three sawmills running around the clock at its peak. Though Bates and Austin have since quieted, the history lingers in landmarks like the mahogany bar at Austin House, the remnants of old logging railroads, and the serene Bates State Park, where visitors can explore trails and a tranquil pond that was once part of the town’s mill operations.

Comfort Food And Home Cooking At Austin House

At Austin House, the focus is on comfort food done right. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all on the menu, with options that cater to early risers, midday adventurers, and evening diners.

Start the day with a country scramble packed with eggs, hash browns, sausage, bacon, and cheese or dive into a stack of fluffy pancakes with huckleberries. Lunchtime features a selection of sandwiches like the house-smoked tri-tip or a classic BLT, while dinner boasts a rotating menu of hearty options—Friday’s pork or chicken night, anyone?

For dessert, the homemade pies, cobblers, and ice cream are an absolute must. The blackberry cobbler paired with vanilla ice cream has earned a reputation for being worth the drive alone.

What do you mean there's a rotating menu for dinner? The dinner menu at Austin House is different each week. They post the weekly menu on their Facebook page. Each night features a different protein, for instance Friday is pork or poultry, and Saturday is beef night.

Austin House Information

Austin House isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a destination all by itself. People come from far and wide to try the pie and ice cream, while weary travelers are grateful to find a place to make a pit stop on an otherwise long and empty stretch of road. The café offers Wi-Fi (a rare treat in such a remote area), ample parking for RVs and trailers, and a small store stocked with snacks, toiletries, and artisan gifts. It’s a favorite among travelers, hunters, bikers, and snowmobilers.

• Location: 75805 US-26 in Bates, Oregon.
• Hours: Hours and open days vary depending on the season. Check the Austin House website for up to date hours before you visit.
• Get more information along with a detailed history of the area at the Austin House Cafe website.

How far is Austin House from nearby towns and cities? Austin House is almost an hour south west of Baker City, 36 minutes from John Day, and an hour and fifty minutes from Ontario, Oregon.

The next time you're traveling down US Highway 26, make sure to stop in at Austin House for ice cream, pie, and a friendly smile. This is a great spot to take a break, catch your breath, and enjoy the day.