Pilot Butte Drive-In, on Bend's east side, has built a reputation as a staple for giant burgers and shakes.

Location: 917 NE Greenwood Ave., Bend

Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily

Price Range: Breakfast from $1.50 to $8.50; lunch from $2.75 to $9.50

Alcoholic Beverages: None

Kids’ Menu: Yes

Reservations: No

Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard

Contact: 382-2972 or www.pilotbutte.com

Pilot Butte Drive-In, known for its mountainous burgers, inspires a kind of fervor in its customers.

For some, the restaurant near the base of the butte (some say the butte was named after the restaurant) is a Bend institution.

It’s awe-inspiring and an honor, say the four members of the Mangin family who run the joint. Jack and Dee Mangin started the business, and son and daughter-in-law Steve and Melanie now run the day-to-day matters.

The drive-in gets attention far and wide, whether it’s in Reader’s Digest or on the Cheeseburger in Paradise Web site (www .cheeseburgerinparadise.com).

The Mangins believe they won people over with the quality of the food – only real cheeses and the best ingredients make the cut – and the friendliness as a local hangout. The restaurant has ended its dinner service but remains a big draw for breakfast and lunch. People often crowd the restaurant inside and out, as when the weather warms the drive-in offers patio seating. The patio nearly doubles the amount of available seats, offering 60 outdoor spots.

And despite its burger reputation, the Pilot Butte Drive-In offers other mean menu items.

The salads are large and covered with toppings. Shakes and malts devoured in the restaurant come to customers in the metal can. And people seeking healthy alternatives can try the veggie burger, the salmon burger or Egg Beaters with their breakfasts.

Jack Mangin, however, likes to joke that the drive-in isn’t part of the health-food trend.

”You’re not going to lose weight eating here,” he said, laughing. ”Normally, the closest we come to diet is Diet Pepsi.”

The Mangins hope to continue the good thing they have going. They like that they are a locally owned business that doesn’t serve food left under heat lamps.

Steve points out that customers can get a lot of information from the Web site. While there is no option to order online, Steve says that customers can download printable menus to have a little better idea of what dish they want to order.

Jack and Dee Mangin, who have worked together in the restaurant business for more than 40 years, would not have it any other way.

– Heidi Hagemeier