Two Area Restaurants Set To Open On Oskaloosa’s East Side

Joe's Family Restaurant is set to open soon on the East side of Oskaloosa in the building last occupied by Hot Stone. (photo by Ginger Allsup)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Oskaloosa has been short one of its most popular eating establishments since a raid by law enforcement closed Oskaloosa Family Restaurant back on April 19th. Since that time the establishment has been closed and multiple rumors concerning its future has circulated the community.

Osky News stopped by Oskaloosa Family Restaurant today to get an update on the status of the business. Owner Ali Bayram says that he is currently looking for cooks. He has two currently, and is searching for a couple more, with hopes of being able to open back up in the next week.

Also, just South of the Oskaloosa Family Restaurant, the sign out in front of what was last known as Hot Stone was being changed today in preparation of the opening of a second family-style restaurant.

Opening as soon as Wednesday will be Joe’s Family Restaurant, where they will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with hours being from 6 am to 9 pm, and the breakfast menu ending in the early afternoon.

Joe Dika is a recent transplant to Iowa. He and his family are originally from New York and had made a move to Texas, where Joe thought they planned to stay, until Iowa State called his oldest child away to college. Being very family oriented, Joe knew he had to move to Iowa and keep his family together. Now all of his children are attending Iowa State University, with the oldest one set to graduate this coming year and the youngest one starting in a couple of weeks.

Dika said that his interest in Oskaloosa came on the heels of opening a restaurant in Ottumwa. “I always wanted a spot here [Oskaloosa]. I couldn’t find the right location until I found this.”

Joe really hopes to do a ‘soft open’ so his staff can have a time to learn, preparing themselves for a regular opening once all the wrinkles are worked out.