I recently visited Dillon’s Grill in Prineville, and the California burger was exquisite. The restaurant felt warm and inviting, and the great service made the meal even more enjoyable. Dillon’s serves burgers, barbecue, and American comfort food at 142 NE 5th Street, making it an easy place to work into a visit to town. If your Central Oregon plans take you through Prineville, I’m happy to put this one on your radar.
You’ll recognize Dillon’s by the large sign above the front windows and the timber posts resting on stone bases. Inside, wooden booths, hanging lights, and a collection of tap handles give the dining room a rustic, comfortable look. The woodwork fits the setting in a town with deep ties to ranching and timber. That casual atmosphere suited my visit, and I appreciated feeling welcome while enjoying a very good meal.
The California burger is my pick
My order was the California burger, and I’d happily order it again. Dillon’s official menu lists bacon, avocado slices, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and burger sauce among its toppings. That combination gives you plenty to look forward to if avocado and bacon are your idea of good company for a burger. For anyone narrowing down the burger section before a first visit, this is the one I can personally recommend.
There’s plenty else on the menu if your table wants to branch out. Dillon’s serves baby back ribs, beef brisket, a brisket dip, and a pulled pork sandwich, along with salads and a children’s menu. Other burger choices include mushroom Swiss, Hawaiian, and Fire in the Hole. Having enjoyed the California burger, I’d be interested in trying the brisket dip on a return trip.
A Prineville address with a long history
The name Dillon’s reaches back much further than the restaurant itself. According to the restaurant’s history of the property, L. Dillon bought the site in 1895 and established a saloon and livery. Businesses associated with horses, feed, and blacksmithing followed in the years ahead. Knowing a little of that history gives the restaurant’s rustic setting some local context.
The early buildings burned in 1928, and the site later served as storage space. Dillon’s Grill opened in 2006, with the restaurant identifying Jay and Christina Knudtson as its proprietors. The present-day restaurant carries on the Dillon name at an address that has seen more than a century of Prineville business. For a visitor, it’s a small piece of the town’s history to tuck away between ordering and heading out to explore.
Make a little more time for Prineville
If that history catches your interest, the A. R. Bowman Museum offers a natural addition to a visit. It’s on North Main Street in the former Crook County Bank Building, with exhibits exploring the area’s past. Timber, agriculture, and mining all figure into Prineville’s story. Pairing the museum with a meal gives you a chance to spend some time in town beyond finding a table and getting back on the road.
For a longer outing, consider the country south of town along the Crooked River. Travel Oregon’s Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway guide describes an out-and-back ride from Prineville toward Big Bend Campground. It’s a way to work river scenery into the day if cycling is part of your plans. Check the route details before setting out, then leave yourself time for a meal back in town.
You’ll find Dillon’s Grill at 142 NE 5th Street, Prineville, Oregon 97754, and you can reach the restaurant at 541-447-3203. Check Dillon’s official website for current hours and the latest menu before you go. If you’re planning a museum visit or a ride through the canyon, confirm those details first so you can leave enough time to sit down and enjoy your meal.
