You can't get a proper idea of Tater's Café from the street. The plastic marquee/sign, the folksy name, the ketchup squeeze-bottles visible through the windows all say down-home greasy spoon. But there is more than meets the eye.

Tater’s Café does have a down-home atmosphere, but it’s down-home Oregon Valley. That means hazelnut chicken and roasted vegetable lasagna on the menu along side pork chops, meatloaf, and liver & onions. It means a dining room crowded with simple booths and tables, but with an airy, artistic décor, as well as a landscaped dining patio. Family owned and operated, Tater’s Cafe describe their menu as “featuring products sourced from the Northwest – supporting our local farmers.”

The food is abundant and of good quality, and made even more attractive by surprisingly low prices. The French Dip provided generous tender sliced meat on thick toast, with homemade potato salad that is light and tart, all for $7.25. $2.99 purchases a children’s lunch or breakfast, which, besides providing near full adult portions, includes a small drink.

Breakfast and lunch is served seven days a week, starting at 6 am. With their dinner menu, available Friday, Saturday and Sunday after 4pm, Tater’s reaches beyond plain good cooking to the more exotic, offering Buffalo, Elk, and Yak burgers. Homemade pie and milkshakes are also a specialty, but don’t expect pie on Thursdays, the supply is often exhausted by then.

Tater’s Café is open 6am-2pm Monday through Thursday, 6am-10pm Friday Saturday, and 6am-8pm Sunday. They are located at 683 SE Jefferson Street in Dallas, behind Althea’s Tea Room. For more information call (503) 623-3335.