Turkey Everest (David Jasper/The Bulletin)

Mother’s Eastside Kitchen

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Food: Results vary when it comes to pairing food with the word “mother.” My mom’s specialties were macaroni and hot dogs, and fried pork roll on white bread. Fortunately, someone else came up with the menu at Mother’s Eastside Kitchen, one of three locations in Bend. On the menu are healthy wraps, sandwiches, salads and bowls (sweet or savory). Breakfast is served all day. I was feeling peckish enough to go for the Turkey Everest ($12). While not quite Himalayan in size, it did feature a generous amount of thin-sliced, roasted turkey breast, havarti cheese, tomato, cucumber, honey mustard, avocado and house greens. The fresh veggies and bread smeared with sweet and zesty honey mustard took this sandwich well beyond anything I’d make at home. It came with a smidgen of quinoa salad with tomatoes. For the thirsty, Mother’s also serves smoothies (pro tip: get the PBJJ), juices and coffee drinks. I chased my meal with a chocolate chip cookie.

Service: The counter person was friendly and quick to greet me, offering answers to any questions I might have. My wait for food was short, and after, when I asked if they have takeout menus, another employee replied, “No, but I won’t look if you want to take that one.” That’s what I call service.

Atmosphere: With windows on three sides and a bright interior, you’d never guess you were in a strip mall along ever-bustling Greenwood Avenue. My visit was toward the end of the lunch hour, but the bursting self-busing station needed some attention.

MORE INFO

Location: 62090 Dean Swift Road, Bend

541-647-6880

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

Price Range: $9-$14

— David Jasper, The Bulletin