Our Story
It all started long ago in a not-so-far-away place. I (Steve) was getting my first traffic ticket as Becky was getting born. So just imagine all that had to happen between then and now for us to be able to bring you “Word of Mouth, From-Scratch Neighborhood Bistro."
I've had other Salem area businesses, including Busick Court (1988-1996), The Brick Bar & Broiler (1993-1998) and The Pointe Downtown (1998-2001). Becky has spent many years in the restaurant business in Salem and Corvallis, being her customer’s favorite ever-smiling bartender and/or server who probably should have been one of those tell-all TV talk show hosts.
Things went south for me at the Pointe Downtown after 9-11. Business took a huge dip and I lost everything. Everything except Becky. Since “things” went South—so did we. (There’s probably a “Beverly Hillbillies” theme song somewhere in here.)
We ended up on Catalina Island, off the coast of Southern California, in a tiny community called Two Harbors. We spent seven years there, finally completing our five-year plan. Becky was the Events & Catering Coordinator at the resort, orchestrating many events such as Wine and Beer Fests, Pirate Festivals, Dog Shows, Children’s Challenges, and weddings and caterings for up to 400 people. Steve managed the resort's two restaurants and two bars and sipped Mai Tais in the sun.
This tiny community of maybe 200 people is surrounded by 750 boat moorings that will push the town’s only restaurant facilities to crank out over 400 breakfasts, 1000 lunches, and close to 600 dinners in the high season. Likewise, in the slow winter, we might have 15 breakfasts, 20 lunches, and 5 dinners. So, all winter we’d play with food. We’d experiment, research, explore. We’d perfect. We had fun. That is what we do, that is what we enjoy, and that is what you will see at Word of Mouth.
Word of Mouth will specialize in high quality, “from scratch” food that will showcase our talents and our enthusiasm gleaned from years in the industry and all those lonely winters stranded on a desert island with nothing but a complete professional kitchen, unlimited food supplies, and time. Lots of time…
I've had other Salem area businesses, including Busick Court (1988-1996), The Brick Bar & Broiler (1993-1998) and The Pointe Downtown (1998-2001). Becky has spent many years in the restaurant business in Salem and Corvallis, being her customer’s favorite ever-smiling bartender and/or server who probably should have been one of those tell-all TV talk show hosts.
Things went south for me at the Pointe Downtown after 9-11. Business took a huge dip and I lost everything. Everything except Becky. Since “things” went South—so did we. (There’s probably a “Beverly Hillbillies” theme song somewhere in here.)
We ended up on Catalina Island, off the coast of Southern California, in a tiny community called Two Harbors. We spent seven years there, finally completing our five-year plan. Becky was the Events & Catering Coordinator at the resort, orchestrating many events such as Wine and Beer Fests, Pirate Festivals, Dog Shows, Children’s Challenges, and weddings and caterings for up to 400 people. Steve managed the resort's two restaurants and two bars and sipped Mai Tais in the sun.
This tiny community of maybe 200 people is surrounded by 750 boat moorings that will push the town’s only restaurant facilities to crank out over 400 breakfasts, 1000 lunches, and close to 600 dinners in the high season. Likewise, in the slow winter, we might have 15 breakfasts, 20 lunches, and 5 dinners. So, all winter we’d play with food. We’d experiment, research, explore. We’d perfect. We had fun. That is what we do, that is what we enjoy, and that is what you will see at Word of Mouth.
Word of Mouth will specialize in high quality, “from scratch” food that will showcase our talents and our enthusiasm gleaned from years in the industry and all those lonely winters stranded on a desert island with nothing but a complete professional kitchen, unlimited food supplies, and time. Lots of time…
