Seventy Years Young at Omar’s

It’s hard to believe that Omar’s Restaurant (1380 Siskiyou) is turning 70 this year. There have, of course, been a number of owners over the years, and the current triumvirate of Bruce Dwight, James Williams and Jen Sink continues to maintain Omar’s reputation as one of Ashland’s favorites.
The history of Omar’s goes back to 1946 when Omer Hill and his wife Hazel opened the restaurant. Unfortunately, the sign-maker printed the name wrong, and the Hills decided to accept the new nomenclature (a camel was added to the side of the building in 1976).

In 1956 the Hills sold to Al and Betty Jo Brown, who ran the restaurant for 15 years. They sold to Rolar Yondorf and Don Mercer in 1974, and in 1982, Bruce decided to join the business.
“I had been working at Omar’s for a number of years before that,” said Bruce, who grew up in Medford. “I’ve been around food all my life and did my chef training in Switzerland for six years, returning to Ashland in 1978. Omar’s was perfect for me and still is, because it’s all about community and great food.”

In 1998 Chef James Williams was hired, and after Rolar and Don decided to move on, he became a partner in the business. James, of course, is famous for his win earlier this year at the “Iron Chef Oregon” competition in Portland.

“I grew up in Ashland and started washing dishes at Omar’s in 1982 and moved my way up to sous chef,” James said. “In 1990 I went to the Western Culinary Institute and graduated top of my class. I tried out and made the 1992 Oregon Culinary Team and went to the Culinary Olympics in Frankfurt, Germany, and came back with a silver medal. I returned to Ashland in 1998 to work at Omar’s and to raise our two daughters.”

Jen has been in the restaurant business for 22 years, starting as hostess and server, then night supervisor and general manager for another restaurant. She was raised in Mendocino and moved to Ashland in 2001, joining Omar’s in 2004.

Omar’s is officially a “Neighborhood Steak & Seafood Restaurant,” but the menu has a little something for everyone. “We’re basically steak and seafood, but James comes up with some great ideas for dinner specials,” Jen said. “Every night is a new experience, and James refers to his cooking style as New American. Consistency is what we strive for.”

The cozy dining room at Omar’s is a step back in time, with historic photos and mementos dotting the walls. The lounge is also popular and was one of the first to open in Ashland. Oregon video lottery machines are available, and there’s a covered deck outside for smokers.
Jen’s favorite story: “The restaurant was built over a spring and during excavation they found mastodon bones,” she said. “Omar’s goes way back.”

For more info, the phone number is 541-482-1281. Omar’s is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.