Driving out toward Silver Falls from Silverton, one can’t miss the marquee on the left announcing, “$4.50 cheeseburger with fries.” A super bargain these days, and that offer is always there.
Water Mountains restaurant owner Obed Lopez says you can have the burger the way you like it, too.
“We have no rule,” said Lopez. “People can have what they want, and if they request something different, we do it. We always try to please.”
The cheeseburger comes the standard style – patty, cheese, onion, tomato, pickles, lettuce and mayo. But what if you’d like your onions grilled? No tomato? Leave off the cheese? How about adding sautéed mushrooms? They’ll do it for you.
“People seem to be learning we are flexible,” he said. “For example, yes, we will split an order.”
The abundant serving of French-fried potatoes is luscious – crisp, but not too firm, and definitely not greasy. As an alternative, you may choose their seasoned fries, a slightly spicy lattice-style potato fry.
The Water Mountains staff in happy to bring you something other than catsup for dipping, such as ranch dressing.
Other requests they’re happy to fill include gravy on your hash browns; or extra condiments, such as sour cream, ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, salsa or country gravy.
Why does Lopez do this with no extra charge?
“I’m not here to get so much money,” he said. “I want them to come back.”
Another Water Mountains feature some folks may not know is that breakfast and lunch are available all day. Lopez has worked for restaurant owners who were strict about breakfast hours and lunch, and he saw their customers leave because of it.
“At my place, it’s for the customer’s convenience, not the restaurant’s,” he said.
A family man, he understands how financially difficult it can be to take the kids out to eat, so he welcomes families who come in for a tasty but economical meal.
“I notice customers who come at dinnertime who are afraid to order off the lunch menu,” Lopez said, “but here it’s anything you want, any time you want – breakfast, lunch or dinner.”
Water Mountains Restaurant, open 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily, is located at 1397 S. Water St., Silverton. Phone: 503-873-6089.
