Mountain Burger, whose mission is to celebrate and preserve mountain town living through community engagement and exceptional dining experiences, recently announced a new leadership team as the locally owned restaurant prepares for its next phase of growth.
The new team includes Oregon natives Evan and Makaya Michael, who are overseeing front-of-house operations, and Josh Arteno, who is leading the kitchen and menu development. The trio previously worked together, most recently at The Old Spaghetti Factory, bringing decades of combined restaurant leadership and operational experience to Mountain Burger.
The Michaels, a husband-and-wife team, have spent their careers opening new restaurants and managing operations across more than 40 locations. They recently relocated to Bend from Salt Lake City.
“We’ve been wanting to get back to Oregon and put down roots, and the opportunity at Mountain Burger came at the perfect time,” said Evan Michael. “We’re passionate about creating a place where people genuinely enjoy going to work and eating great food. Mountain Burger already has such a strong local vibe, and we’re excited to help build on that.”
Arteno has spent most of his life in professional kitchens, working with a wide variety of cuisines and culinary styles. His experience and creativity are helping Mountain Burger expand their menu even further while maintaining the quality guests have come to expect.
“To date, we’ve been fortunate to work with an incredible team in Bend to develop and refine our concept. We’re always evolving to best cater to our team, the community, and our guests” said Sara Hobin, owner and marketing & community liaison. “As we approach our fourth anniversary in September, we’re excited about the direction of our new leadership team and the next chapter, while also staying true to our core values and what makes Mountain Burger special.”
Future growth plans include exploring additional locations in Bend and beyond, launching a food truck, expanding both on-site and off-site catering and private events, and continuing to evolve the restaurant’s menu and guest amenities.
“We pride ourselves on creating an outstanding dining experience for meat eaters, plant eaters, and everyone in between,” said Arteno. “Our expanded menu offers something for every taste and dietary preference, including gluten-free and vegan options. There’s truly something for everyone.”
New menu highlights include:
- Wraps: Any burger, salad or bowl can now be made into a wrap (gluten-free option available)
- Backcountry Chicken Sandwich: A buttermilk-fried chicken breast with pickles and choice of sauce (Nashville Hot, BBQ or Mountain Sauce)
- All Burger Patties: Elevating current patty on all beef burgers to a Wagyu Angus Beef blend
- Black Diamond Burger: A burger featuring a 5 oz. premium Wagyu Angus Beef blend patty, maple bacon, swiss cheese, arugula, and garlic aioli. Make it a Double Black Diamond with two patties.
- Falafel Burger: A vegetarian burger featuring house-made falafel, tzatziki, feta, tomatoes, red onions, and pepperoncinis
- Bow Wow Burger: A burger patty made especially for four-legged guests enjoying Mountain Burger’s dog-friendly patio
Mountain Burger currently offers a burger and shake of the month with plans to evolve to a seasonal menu beginning September 1, which will feature freshly sourced seasonal food items alongside rotating seasonal cocktails.
Happy Hour is available daily from 3-5 p.m. and all day on Sundays. The Happy Hour menu features fried green beans, Cascade onion ring stack, Mountain Burger sliders, protein bites, signature cocktails under $12, and $3 beer selections.
Guests can also enjoy weekly events, including Trivia Tuesdays from 7:30-9pm, live music every Thursday from 6-8pm, and Community Giveback Nights, where 20% of sales are donated to participating local organizations when guests mention the featured fundraiser.
About Mountain Burger:
Established in 2022, Mountain Burger is a locally owned, full-service restaurant in Bend’s NorthWest Crossing neighborhood whose mission is to celebrate and preserve mountain town living while providing exceptional dining experiences. Owned by longtime Bend residents Dan and Sara Hobin, Mountain Burger offers a diverse menu designed to satisfy meat eaters, plant eaters, and everyone in between, including items that are gluten-free friendly and Vegan friendly. Thoughtfully designed by Sara Hobin Design, the restaurant features sustainable materials and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that brings the community together.
