Great Food, Service, and Views at River’s Edge Restaurant

February 2020

Countryside Village RetirementI have a soft spot in my heart for River’s Edge Restaurant, located at 1936 Rogue River Highway. The “house” was turned into a restaurant back in the winter of 1979 when my friends Smiley and Ronnie brought Mexican food to Grants Pass by opening Casa del Rio. There were a lot of great memories there, including me filling in as bartender one night (but don’t tell the OLCC I did that).

The restaurant has been through a few incarnations since then, but definitely the most successful has been River’s Edge, where owners Bob and Darla Feil have turned it into one of the most popular restaurants in Grants Pass.

Bob and Darla were familiar with the restaurant industry. “We left San Diego in 1988 to find a slower pace and a small-town feel,” said Darla, whose family has been in the restaurant business most of her life. “We did find a small town, just not the slower pace, and we re-started our real estate careers. After ten years, we were looking for a way to someday retire, so we bought the Train Depot, both the building and the business.”

Then came the crash, and they decided to forego real estate and concentrate on the restaurant. It also helped that Bob had a degree in business, which helped them manage through hard economic times.

“We became aware of the River’s Edge in 2012 and thought the town could use a beautiful river-front dining venue,” Darla said. “We decided to give it a shot, figuring if it wouldn’t work as a restaurant, we could make it our home.”

And it definitely worked. With an emphasis on Pacific Northwest food and ingredients, the restaurant is known for great food, outstanding service, and of course, a great view of the majestic Rogue River flowing by.

“We use locally grown food and serve the best ingredients we can find,” Darla said. “We also have two private rooms available for parties and celebrations. The warm-weather patio dining is such a special experience for many people, and the view will take your breath away.”

The River’s Edge is open seven days a week and they take reservations and offer gift cards. For more information, the phone number is 541-244-1182. You can also see them at theriversedge.com and on Facebook.