Tag: Food in Brookings Oregon

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Hurry In Curry & 1011 Chetco Avenue — Blog Post #7

Beachin Bakes — 1011 Chetco Avenue

Beachin Bakes signage.

Beachin Bakes (current occupant of 1011 Chetco Avenue in Brookings, Oregon) is owned and operated by Debi Slack. Debi established Beachin Bakes on Memorial Day weekend back in 2021 (after the building had lain vacant for about one year). She opened the business by herself and is rightly proud of that fact.

Picture of Debi Slack, owner of Beachin Bakes.
Debi Slack — owner of Beachin Bakes.
Beachin Bakes interior (bakery cases and register).
Beachin Bakes interior (dining area seating).
Beachin Bakes interior.

Beachin Bakes offers a simple menu of made-from-scratch sweets and treats as well as a variety of light breakfast and lunch options including breakfast burritos, breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches. As you can see from the menu below, all items are very reasonably priced.

Beachin Bakes menu.

Everything at Beachin Bakes is fresh and delicious and definitely worth your time. I’ve tried the sweet rolls and sticky buns, and some cookies–which were all amazing. For a quick breakfast-on-the-go, I recommend their Boogie Board breakfast sandwiches. Debi uses her fantastic, house-made savory rolls for the bread.

  • Boogie Board breakfast sandwich.
    Boogie Board breakfast sandwich
  • Two savory rolls; one cheese and one jalapeno.
    Savory Rolls
  • Sugar cookies decorated as a ghost and a pumpkin.
    Sugar Cookies
  • A variety of sweet rolls.
    Sweet rolls

If you haven’t tried Beachin Bakes, you should definitely stop in sometime soon. They’re conveniently located on Highway 101, across the street from Subway, in Brookings.

Hurry In Curry & Beachin Bakes


Hurry In Curry hasn’t done a whole lot of deliveries from Beachin Bakes, but we’d love to see that change. We have minimal overlapping hours, (which are Tuesday through Friday, from 10am to 2pm). So you have 16 hours each week to order delivery from Beachin Bakes through Hurry In Curry.

Whether you want breakfast or lunch delivered at home, or you’re at the office and need a sugar boost for your team, Beachin Bakes and Hurry In Curry have you covered.

So, again, if you want Beachin Bakes delivered, it’s available 10am and 2pm, Tuesday through Friday. Call Hurry In Curry at 541-251-3279 to place your order directly with us.

Here’s to the continued success of Debi and Beachin Bakes!

A Word of Thanks

Debi’s brother, Shane Alcorn, has owned the 1011 Chetco Avenue location since around 1998. Hence, he was very helpful in establishing a timeline of the businesses that have occupied the space. So a huge thanks to Debi for leading me in the right direction, and to Shane for the time we spent on the phone together sorting out “the rest of the story,” like Paul Harvey.

With that, we now step back in time…

The Vista Pub — 1011 Chetco Ave.

The Vista Pub signage.
The Vista Pub — formerly of 1011 Chetco Avenue.

Owned and operated by Brookings local, Raymond Ross, The Vista Pub occupied 1011 Chetco Avenue for nearly a decade–between 2011 and 2020.

Photo of Raymond Ross, owner of The Vista Pub, dressed as a tablecloth.
Raymond Ross — owner of The Vista Pub.

Always true to their slogan, Good Food, Good Beer, Good People, The Vista Pub grew a deep local following as well as a wide fanbase of out-of-towners. The staff was friendly, the food was delicious, and the taps were always flowing with great local beers.

The menu at The Vista Pub was all about customizable burgers (with over 30 add-ons, there were literally thousands of flavor combinations). They also served great hot sandwiches, customizable baked potatoes, fresh-made soups & salads, beer-battered onion rings, and epic, fried cheese sticks and curds (among other things). Writing this is making my mouth water. I sure do miss The Vista Pub.

This is a picture of "The Ezekial" burger from The Vista Pub.
“The Ezekiel.”
This is a picture of the "Baked and Loaded," baked potato from The Vista Pub, piled with pulled pork, bacon, sour cream, chives and Frank's Red Hot.
The ever-popular “Baked and Loaded.”
Keeping It Local


Raymond proudly featured local products and services at The Vista Pub. As a Brookings native, he sourced local products as frequently as possible: local, grassfed beef from Hastings Natural Beef; bread from First Rise Bakery; cheese from Rumiano Cheese; sometimes even locally foraged mushrooms. The beer offerings included selections from local breweries like Chetco Brewing in Brookings; Arch Rock Brewing in Gold Beach; Port o’ Pints in Crescent City, and other breweries from all across Oregon.

Raymond’s parents (Bill and Shelly Ross) were involved in the pub as well. The Vista Pub used local produce from the Ross family gardens and offered “Mamma Ross’ BBQ Sauce,” made by Shelly. Bill could often be found making soup in the kitchen or setting up one of the arrangements he made for the pub.

This is a photograph of a tabletop Fall arrangement made by Bill Ross, featuring flowers, gourds, and red and orange leaves.
One of Bill Ross’ many arrangements adorning The Vista Pub.

The Rosses created a space where locals could gather, discuss local goings-on, have a bite and a brew, maybe even catch some live music. A place where regulars had their own mugs, which hung from the ceiling above the bar. The kind of place that hosts an annual Moustache Party…

…a place with personality.

The End of an Era

2020 was a rough year on everyone, including local businesses, but Brookings restaurants got hit especially hard. Between state-mandated closures, limitations and regulations, and staffing shortages, most restaurants struggled. The Vista Pub was no exception. Eventually they succumbed to the pressure of uncertainties.

Farewell Address

On May 15, 2020, after 9 years in business, Raymond made a public closure announcement via The Vista Pub facebook page:

“It is with a sad heart that I announce that The Vista Pub will not reopen. Due to the reaction to COVID 19 and the future economic uncertainty, I was unwilling to go into large amounts of debt to bridge the gap.

I would like to take this time to more importantly thank everyone who loved and supported us. 9 years of amazing stories and great relationships were rooted in and around The Vista Pub. Please remember the good times. We will see what the future has in store!! I wish all of you the best!!
Raymond Ross”

It was a sad day when I read that post. Hurry In Curry delivered for Vista from 2016 when we opened, through 2020 when they closed. It was awesome working with another homegrown service created by a local.

The Vista Pub had a great run and is missed by a great many. Brookings is a little darker without it.

A fond farewell to a local legend. We salute you!

The Lost Years


Prior to The Vista Pub opening up in 2011, the space was vacant for several years. Over those few years, a couple or few businesses attempted to start up, but each of them failed to launch successfully.

Homeport Bagels and Sandwiches

Homeport opened sometime around 1994 or ’95. I was unable to unearth the original owner’s name, but he opened and ran the sandwich shop for a few years before Shane and Laura Alcorn purchased it as a turn-key business in 1998. They ran it very successfully.

I remember my Senior year at Brookings Harbor High–Homeport was ultra popular. It was common to see classmates wolfing down a breakfast sandwich before or during first period. At lunchtime you had to bolt at the bell and sprint for the parking lot if you wanted to beat the lunch crowd down to Homeport and get a sandwich.

The Boogie Board bagels were awesome–jampacked with whatever meats and cheeses and vegetables you ordered–they were my go-to. Plus Homeport made the best soups. Perfect during the Fall and Winter months.

Homeport Changes Hands Again

The Alcorns sold Homeport in 2005. The new owners did not fare well. They closed that same year. The Alcorn’s son, Justin, opened the sandwich shop back up between 2005 and 2006, and rebranded as Boogie Board Bagels, which was sold when it relocated to 925 Chetco Avenue (which is currently Khun Thai). This is a perfect segue into next month’s blog. In January we’ll cover 925 Chetco Avenue.

Lost to Time

I was unable to uncover (or recall) anything about 1011 Chetco Avenue prior to Homeport opening in the 90’s. Shane says he thinks it was Hole In The Wall bakery. Prior to that…who knows? Seriously, who? If you know, please enlighten all of us in the comments.

That’s all for this month’s edition of The Hurry In Curry Blog. Thanks so much for reading. See you back here next month. If you enjoy our blog, don’t hesitate to share it with a friend.

—

Gabriel Chatman
Owner/Operator
Hurry In Curry Deliveries

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Hurry In Curry & 16011 Boat Basin Road — Blog Post #6

Beachfront Bistro — Permanently Closed

Beachfront Bistro streetfront Signage.
Beachfront Bistro, formerly at 16011 Boat Basin Road in Harbor, OR.

16011 Boat Basin Road has housed several restaurants over the years. The most recent, Beachfront Bistro, is officially permanently closed. Confirmed October 18, via a message on the restaurant’s voicemail.

During my interview with Rodney Minnier about O’Holleran’s (in late September), he asked me if Beachfront Bistro was closed. I had no answer. He mentioned that there was signage on the front door of the restaurant sometime around lat August. Therefore, Beachfront Bistro probably closed around August, 2023. Because Hurry In Curry infrequently delivered for Beachfront Bistro, and since I was unable to contact the owner directly, it took a while before I confirmed the closure.

I’m always sad to see restaurants go. Local restaurants are the lifeblood of Hurry In Curry. Plus, I love variety. Also, Brookings/Harbor has limited breakfast locations when compared against lunch and dinner options, so it’s a bummer to lose one.

Beachfront Bistro had awesome breakfasts! I couldn’t get enough of their Southern Stack. Comprised of Chicken Fried Steak atop polenta and biscuits, covered in a delectable housemade sausage gravy. I salute you, Southern Stack. You will be missed!

Beachfront Bistro, owned and operated by George Rhodes, opened in the latter half of 2018. So it ran for the better part of 5 years. In addition to owning Beachfront Bistro, George operated Asana Grille in Harbor and Art Alley Grille in Brookings.

Since I was unable to reach George by phone or direct messages, I do not know the ‘open’ and ‘close’ dates for Asana Grille, nor when Art Alley Grille opened. Hurry In Curry did very few deliveries for either location. I was able to find a message on the old Art Alley Grille facebook page indicating that they decided to close in January, 2019, to focus on Beachfront Bistro.

16011 Boat Basin Road — Sebastian’s

Sebastian's Seafood restaurant signage.
Sebastian’s Seafood Grill, formerly at 16011 Boat Basin Road.

Before I continue, a word of thanks. I interviewed Debbie Epperson via direct messages to gather much of the information presented in this blog post. Huge thanks to you, Debbie, for your patience, prompt & thorough replies, and willingness to share your story!

Ron and Debbie Epperson opened Sebastian’s Seafood Grill, Restaurant and Lounge, on February 1, 2010. Well, technically it was still called Smuggler’s Cove. They didn’t want to upset locals, so they kept that name for a while.

Speaking of Names…

How did Sebastian’s get its name? Debbie says they had a contest on facebook where Brookings residents got to suggest a name. A local threw out Sebastian’s. Ron liked the Disney crab and enjoyed eating crab, so they went with Sebastian’s.

The Epperson’s Story

Sebastian’s wasn’t the Epperson’s first business rodeo. They owned and operated several businesses before and since.

Originally the Epperson’s owned an electrician business back in Visalia, California. Ron was a journeyman electrician. Debbie kept the books. Together, they ran their business for 20 years.

Five years in, they built an all-ages BMX race track called Metro BMX, which they ran for 12 years. At the track, they had a snack bar featuring tri-tip and chicken (both cooked by Ron) along with typical concession stand snacks. They hosted 4 national events with thousands of people staying for 3 full days and nights.

Because Ron enjoyed cooking at the track, and since they both enjoyed crowds, they bought a bar and grill called The Lie n Den. So at one point, they were running all 3 businesses at the same time! Running three businesses in the California heat was exhausting.

Ron’s brothers lived in Roseburg and Ron saw an ad for a restaurant for lease in Brookings, so he jumped at the chance to get away from the heat and move closer to family. The Epperson’s moved to Brookings on January 15th, 2010 and took over the lease at 16011 Boat Basin Road on January 31st, 2010.

New Venture, New Town

The Epperson’s kept the majority of the menu and staff from Smuggler’s Cove intact, with few exceptions. And there were a lot of employees! The Epperson’s knew few people in Brookings, so the staff became their new family.

They hosted a staff-and-family Christmas party in December that first year, and every year thereafter. That’s the kind of people they are. Very kind!

My family and I at the 2016 Sebastian's staff-and-family Christmas Party.
Jessica, our son Gabriel, and I at the Sebastian’s Christmas party, 2016.

Since Jessica worked at Sebastian’s, I had the honor of attending a couple of those parties and they were lovely. Great food and great people and a whole lot of fun.

Sebastian's staff Christmas party. The image is a banquet room full of staff and their family in front of a Christmas Tree.
Sebastian's banquet room full of tables, adorned with folded napkins and cutlery.
The Epperson’s Continued

In January of 2018 the restaurant lease was set to expire. So in September 2017, Ron and Debbie purchased Driftwood RV from the Thompson family. They ran the restaurant and RV park concurrently between September, 2017 and January 31, 2018. When the restaurant lease expired, they ran the RV park full time, during which time they opened a giftshop and a small market on the property.

After 8 years running Sebastian’s, Ron and Debbie were ready to move on. Though they missed seeing the staff ever day, they were happy to be done with restaurants. The restaurant was closed for 7-8 months with no tenants before George Rhodes took over the lease and opened Beachfront Bistro.

The Epperson’s sold the Rv Park and later purchased 16372 Lower Harbor Road in 2021 and dubbed the building Boardwalk Plaza. Debbie opened a giftshop there called Hip-Nautic Gifts. Though they sold the gift shop early in 2023, it still operates today. Their current tenants at the Boardwalk Plaza include Cosmic Grind, La Playa, Billy’s Place, Hip-Nautic Gifts, and the forthcoming Legends Arcade.

Ron and Debbie left their mark on Harbor before deciding to go full circle. They bought a house back in Visalia, where they plan to move and enjoy their retirement together with family.

I enjoyed getting to know them over the years and I applaud their ability to seamlessly transition between businesses and investments. Here’s to their enjoyment of their retirement years. Safe travels and all the best to you, Ron and Debbie!

Smuggler’s Cove

Smuggler’s Cove was a classy establishment owned by Jerry Brown. I wanted to interview him. Sadly, he passed away in 2019. The Curry Coastal Pilot did a short writeup about Jerry on October 2, 2019.

“Gerald N. Brown, 85, passed away on Sept. 2, 2019, after a long battle with cancer.

Gerald (Jerry) was a long time resident of Brookings, along with his wife, Lorraine. Together they operated Smuggler’s Cove, a fine dining restaurant at the Port of Brookings, for 10 years. He loved working with people and gave many their first job. Jerry will be sorely missed.”

Though I never met Jerry, I knew loads of people who worked at Smuggler’s Cove. They all loved Jerry and his laid back, laissez-faire management style. He will indeed be missed by many.

Given the timelines suggested by the Epperson’s and the Pilot, Smuggler’s Cove opened around 1999, right around the time I moved away for college. I remember coming home to Brookings and eating out at Smuggler’s Cove. They had amazing Oysters Rockefeller. Best oysters I ever had, hands down. This was the original ending of my blogpost…

Pre-Smug’s Era

I was ready to press the “publish” button and call it a day. I was didappointed, because I wasn’t able to research my way back to the start. Luckily, Debbie rules and she gave me the phone number for Dave Snazuk (former co-owner of the Best Western and 16011 Boat Basin Road building). As a lark, I shot Dave one more ring and he answered, right at the buzzer. Victory! I just got off the phone with him and he helped me draw up a timeline that originates in 1992.

Dave and his brother Bob owned the Best Western (currently the Beachfront Inn) in ’92. In ’93 they built a restaurant and giftshop at 16011 Boat Basin Road so their hotel guests could walk across the street for a meal anytime.

Dave and Bob began leasing the restaurant in ’93. Their first tenants were a couple who owned restaurants in Boise and Medford. The Sandpiper only lasted a month or two before the Snazuk’s had to break the lease due to the restaurant losing a lot of money, rather than earning.

Next up was Starboard Tack, owned by Eileen and Bob Righetti. Dave says there may have been one restaurant after Starboard Tack, and before Smuggler’s Cove. Assuming there wasn’t, it seems that the Righetti’s ran their restaurant for about 5-6 years (’93-’99).

And with that, we’ve bridged the Beachfront Bistro with the Sandpiper, snug and tidy like a couple of bookends. The complete history of 16011 Boat Basin Rd. is complete.

Thanks for reading!!!

If you read the Hurry In Curry Blog, you rule! Thank you for helping to support our small business. Our delivery service remains strong after all this time because of people like you. We appreciate you!

Gabriel Chatman
Owner/Operator
Hurry In Curry Deliveries

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Hurry In Curry & O’Holleran’s — Blog Post #5

O'Holleran's signage from 2008.

Historical Sidenote

Since this blog is about Brookings-Harbor restaurant history, I strive for historical accuracy. Sometimes discrepancies arise. For example, I read in an old Curry Coastal Pilot clipping (pictured below) that O’Holleran’s was established back in 1953. I read it again in a separate article (also pictured below). Yet, the sign (pictured above) claims ‘1952’ as the start year…curious.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Rodney Minnier (the most recent and final owner of O’Holleran’s), for clarification via a phone interview. When asked, Rodney laughed and said, “no, that was my fault. I had the sign made up and I got the year wrong. The correct year was 1953, but I mistakenly told the signmakers 1952. It was a big sign, and it was already made, so we just went with it.”

Also, The Curry Coastal Pilot article about the original owners (Jack and Louise O’Holleran) indicates that they “purchased” O’Holleran’s in 1953, not established. When I asked Rodney for clarification, he said, “as far as I know, The O’Holleran’s established the restaurant after buying the building–which I believe was a drive-thru burger joint prior to that.” I could find no evidence to support his claim, so if anyone reading this has proof (pictures or otherwise), please let me know and I’ll update my post with the appropriate info.

Newspaper clipping from The Curry Coastal Pilot about Richard O'Holleran's retirement and selling the business.
Newspaper clipping from The Curry Coastal Pilot about The Minnier's purchase of O'Holleran's.
Both of the finely composed Pilot articles above were written by Marjorie Woodfin.


O’Holleran’s officially operated between 1953 and 2021 (almost 70 years in the same location at 1210 Chetco Avenue), between just two families (The O’Holleran’s and The Minnier’s). To my knowledge, O’Holleran’s was the longest-running (and longest-standing) restaurant in the history of Brookings. Sadly, the building was demolished in 2023–the same year as Richard O’Holleran (the son of the original owners) passed away.

Richard "Dick" O'Holleran.
Richard “Dick” O’Holleran (1931-2023) For full obituary, visit the Curry Coastal Pilot article here.

Origins Of O’Holleran’s Restaurant


Jack and Louise O’Holleran opened O’Holleran’s Prime Restaurant way back in 1953. Their son, Dick, joined the family business in 1956.

Black and White photo of O'Holleranms in 1956.
–1961–

Back in the early days, the menu was simple, just like the times, and a far cry less expensive. Just look at those prices! Sure makes one hunger for the old days…though in my case it’s just anemoia.

Original O'Holleran's menu.
Original O’Holleran’s menu.

At some point over the years, Dick and his wife (Mary) took full ownership of O’Holleran’s. With nearly 50 years of his life invested in the family restaurant, Dick was finally ready to retire in 2005, when he and Mary sold O’Holleran’s to Rodney and Eileen Minnier.

Passing The Torch

Rodney and Eileen had already retired when they moved to Brookings. They spent their first few years of retirement managing rental units to ward off the doldrums of the so-called “Golden Years,” but found that unenjoyable. The opportunity arose to purchase O’Holleran’s and they decided, “why not?” Rodney and Eileen originally met one another at a restaurant in which they both worked (per the Pilot article above), so it seemed fitting to finish their working years in a restaurant together.

O'Holleran's fine dining in 2005.
O’Holleran’s in 2005.
O'Holleran's highway-facing signage along Highway 101 in 2005.
Signage in 2005.

The Minnier’s took over O’Holleran’s Fine Dining with full confidence that they could run it successfully (indeed, the first year they quadrupled sales of the previous year), on account of their years of experience working in and running restaurants. They successfully ran and sold two restaurants in Ventura, California (both of which are still in operation to this day); The Golden Egg Cafe (sold in 1994) and Seaward Seafood (sold in 1998). Rodney also owned a Horseradish business named Atomic Horseradish Distribution Co. between 1988 and 2002 (when he sold and they moved here). When we spoke, Rodney sounded very proud of his successful businesses. Nostalgic even.

Time For Change

In their third year operating O’Holleran’s (2008) The Minnier’s decided to remodel the interior and exterior of the building, including the addition of patio-dining.

O'Holleran's back when it underwent an overhaul.
6 pictures representing phases of construction.
6 more pictures representing phases of construction.
Patio construction.
The look of O'Holleran's after the renovations of 2008.
O’Holleran’s years after the renovations.

Christmas, 2008, they began a new tradition after the remodel was completed: the annual O’Holleran’s Christmas light displays. There were many O’Holleran’s traditions for locals to enjoy prior to that (celebrating Anniversaries, Birthdays and Holiday dinners and other special occasions). Nothing more memorable than the Christmas lights, though. They were extraordinary. Legendary even. It took their team many hours of work every year, but all of us locals always appreciated their efforts.

Video complements of Rodney Minnier.

Rodney and Eileen made a few other changes, including menu updates, and alterations to their hours of operation. For example, for all of three months in 2008, they added breakfast and lunch to the menu and they were open all day. When asked why it was so short-lived, Rodney said, “Our California restaurants were successful breakfast spots, so we figugred we’d give it a try here. I came to the realization really quickly that I was way more profitable being open only five hours per day.” Dinner service maximized profits vs time. Because of that, they ran only dinner service for the remainder of the restaurant’s life.

Hurry In Curry Delivery Service And O’Holleran’s Restaurant

I met Rodney and Eileen before I opened Hurry In Curry, back when I did sales for Palm Industries, between 2012 and 2015. I set up a cleaning deal for the kitchen floors at O’Holleran’s, so I got to know Rodney while we settled our agreement. It went well enough.

In 2016, when I opened Hurry In Curry, I didn’t expect to do any fine-dining deliveries, but I got calls for O’Holleran’s early on. Rodney and Eileen were hesitant to let their food go out for delivery on the chance it would diminish the quality. I persuaded them to give it a try and let the customers decide.

Thus began a successful five year relationship, during which time nobody ever complained about the quality. The customers were happy to get what they wanted. I was happy to have another delivery partnership. The Minnier’s were happy selling more meals.

So it went until the Covid times. Many local businesses were impacted, especially restaurants. Hurry In Curry kept delivering right through the bulk of 2020 and 2021 with brief closures. O’Holleran’s stayed open and we drove deliveries for them frequently, since so many community members chose to stay indoors, but still wanted their fine-dining fix.

Covid Fallout

During the Covid years, I was often in restaurants. I saw firsthand how unruly some customers were about being asked to wear masks. That conversation wore thin with restaurateurs very quickly. Eileen worked head of house, so bore the brunt of those conversations and disagreements, but Rodney caught his fair share of them as well. I watched the scene play out too many times. That wasn’t the reason they closed, but it helped make the decision easier.

Regardless, The Minnier’s had been at it for 14 years past their original retirement date and were ready to retire for keeps. So in 2021, they listed O’Holleran’s for sale. In an unstable economy, buyers were scarce. Rodney had wanted to sell to his niece and keep the business in the family, but that didn’t pan out.

Eventually, Rubicon Investments made Rodney an offer he couldn’t refuse and O’Holleran’s officially closed for good in November, 2021, ending a legacy. Due to the nature of the contracts, the deal was very hush-hush, so there wasn’t much word on the street about the matter while O’Holleran’s sat vacant for just over a year. Alas, Rubicon Investments had no interest in preserving a longstanding piece of Brookings history, and demolition began on January 30th, 2023.

  • Demolition of O'Holleran's
  • Demolition of O'Holleran's
  • Demolition of O'Holleran's -- close-up of a crane smashing the building walls.

The New 1210 Chetco Avenue

Wonder what the new building will look like when it’s done? Wonder no more!

A sneak peek at the new building going in at 1210 Chetco Avenue, the former O'Holleran's location.
We present to you…this thing…no seriously, this is what it will be.

Acknowledgements & Appreciation

Although I have a long memory, I wasn’t est’d until 1981. As such, uncovering historical tidbits for this article proved difficult. As I mentioned, Dick passed away before I started writing this article and since I couldn’t get direct info from the long-time owner, I fell back on research. The obvious starting point (good old Google) produced next to nothing. Then I tried the Chetco Community Library and The Curry Coastal Pilot. Neither had much info either. As a last ditch effort, I cast a wide net with a facebook post asking locals for photos and stories of their best O’Holleran’s memories. I got back a few of each, but not many.

Luckily, I ran into Eileen Minnier at our local Fred Meyer, in typical small-town-style. She gave me Rodney’s phone number. I called him and he agreed to a phone interview (which I greatly appreciated). He recommended I first visit The Chetco Museum, as he had just delivered several items of O’Holleran’s memorabilia there (including newspaper clippings). So I did.

Special Thanks To The Chetco Museum


Big thank you to The Chetco Museum and their volunteers for their invaluable assistance poring through their historical records. Longtime locals, Darlene Harroun and Shelly Mattson, were both amazing! They suggested scouring old Brookings Harbor High School yearbooks for photos, which was a great idea. They had loads of old yearbooks at the museum. Darlene and her husband even checked their own personal yearbook collection and sent me restaurant photos from them.

To learn about the early history of Brookings-Harbor, the Chetco area, and its Indigenous People, I recommend visiting The Chetco Museum at 15461 Museum Road, in Harbor. You can book a tour on their website at chetcomuseum.org. Like and follow their Chetco Valley Historical Society Museum facebook page.

They provided the following photographs from their yearbook collections:

They also allowed me to take photographs of the following items of memorabilia in their posession:

Mirror from the original O’Holleran’s.
Miscellaneous memorabilia. Gotta love the DD button.

Fond Farewell


O’Holleran’s restaurant and Richard O’Holleran are no longer with us. Though their legacies are preserved at: The Chetco Musem; right here in this blog; and in our stories and memories.

Gabriel Chatman
Owner/Operator
Hurry In Curry Deliveries

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Hurry In Curry & Compass Rose Cafe — Blog Post #3


Back in 2014 a coffee shop called DownTown Coffee Lounge (which would later become Compass Rose Cafe) opened at 625 Chetco Avenue, smack dab in the middle of Brookings, Oregon.


It was a quirky, Star Wars themed coffee shop, owned and operated by a fellow named Todd Baker. He ran the shop from 2014-2018 before selling and moving on to a galaxy far, far away.

See, Star Warsy

In 2018, Rose Cretser purchased DownTown Coffee Lounge, kicked Yoda and Darth Vader into hyperspace, and rebranded. A dash of paint and a few changes to the menu later, and Compass Rose Cafe was born.

625 Chetco Avenue location

Rose operated her cafe for two years, until October of 2020, when she sold it to Pete and Natalie Crino, fresh from Utah with their 4 children: Chloe, Liam, Ava and Vivian. One month later, in November, they took over the operation full-time.

The Crino Family — photo taken Nov., 2020, when the they first moved to Brookings.

The Curry Coastal Pilot ran a story about the Crino Family and how they found their way to Brookings. Read more here to learn all about their magical journey from Utah to Brookings.

Hurry In Curry & The Crino Family


I met the Crinos when they moved to Brookings back in October of 2020. They called Hurry In Curry for a delivery, and (since they weren’t too familiar with the area yet) assistance selecting a restaurant. I recommended Khun Thai, which I brought to the Crinos where they were staying at the former Upper Chetco School, which had been renovated and converted into rentals some years prior.

The Crinos are a very friendly, warm family, and we chatted for a bit about my business, their long move, their coming restaurant venture, and ways we might interact in the future. 

Over the next few weeks, they moved down river a bit to another temporary space, and I kept on bringing them food while we got to know each other and they got to know the area. Eventually they found a home in town (in Brookings) and moved in. Over the three years they’ve lived in Brookings and operated Compass Rose, I’ve come to know them as customers, business associates and friends.

They have been very supportive of Hurry In Curry as customers, as well as through their restaurant. They put our info on their takeout menus, on their website, and in facebook posts. In kind, we pass their menus out, list them on our website, and make posts about their restaurant. It’s a great working relationship. One that I hope to see continue for years to come…

Uncertain Future

After five years in operation, Compass Rose Cafe is now officially closed at their 625 Chetco Avenue location…with hopes of reopening soon at a new, undisclosed location.

The closure was unplanned. The owners were recently unable to renew their lease at that location. With only 2 weeks notice to vacate, they went straight to work clearing out and looking for a new space right away.

This is a difficult time for the Crinos, as Compass Rose was their sole source of income. They’re asking for support from the community and customers they’ve come to know and love. Please consider making a donation to their cause:

Donations can be made in person at Umpqua Bank to the “Save Compass Rose Cafe” fund.

Triple Business Closure

The Crino-owned version of Compass Rose was open from November of 2020 until Monday, July 24th, 2023. During that time they not only expanded the menu, but they also created two additional side businesses in the same space (which are also now at risk of disappearing): Mama Crino’s Italian Ice and Brookwingz.

Mama Crino’s Italian Ice
Brookwingz

Farewell For Now!


On their final day in business, the owners addressed the community via facebook, with a farewell (for now) post:

“Good morning, beautiful Brookings! Sadly, today is the last day that we will be open (at this location). We have turned off Google, so we can “hide” from the tourists, to allow you, our cherished locals, to come in one last time and say goodbye (for now) without dealing with the summer lines we tend to get. 

Thank you once again, for making these past 3 years so enjoyable for us. We have adored serving you and getting to know you and we will never forget you! This is not goodbye but merely a, “We’ll Meet Again.” Stay tuned for exciting news…we will be back soon!”

Hope For the Future


In their own words:

“An amazing new location has just opened up, but it will require some help to get it going. Namely, it needs its own public restroom and decent kitchen to be constructed…The dream is to build something bigger and better, that will be open 7 days a week, including evenings…A unique small-town gathering space that welcomes all, always…so all proceeds will go toward renovating the new space and retaining our wonderful employees that have stuck by us over the years…”

Again, donations can be made in person at Umpqua Bank to the “Save Compass Rose Cafe” fund.

The Story Continues…


The Compass Rose Cafe Blog Post is unique in that it will be updated periodically until such time as Compass Rose Cafe, Mama Crino’s Italian Ice and Brookwingz are back up and running. So remember to check back frequently. As of this writing, Mama Crino’s Italian Ice is currently OPEN at the Brookings Harbor Farmers Market, located at 15786 Highway 101 South, in Harbor. If you care to enjoy a delicious treat while dropping off a donation in person, the Crinos will be down there on Wednesdays and Fridays for the time being.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read the Hurry In Curry Blog. You RULE!!!

—

Update: As of 11/27/23, Compass Rose Cafe is back open.

—

Gabriel Chatman
Owner/Operator
Hurry In Curry Deliveries


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Hurry In Curry & Zola’s — Blog Post #4

Zola's On The Water logo.

Did you know that Zola’s On The Water is the third Zola’s location?

True story.

Curiosity piqued? Read on!

The History Of Zola’s: Origin and Naming


Once upon a time, the smallest restaurant in Brookings was Wharfside Restaurant–a tiny little seafood & chowder house right by Slugs ‘n’ Stones ‘n’ Ice Cream Cones down at the Port of Brookings-Harbor. Wharfside closed in the early 2000’s, (which was a real bummer because they had the best clam chowder I’ve ever eaten and clam chowder is my favorite food). By 2006 the weather-worn building was ready to be torn down by the Port of Brookings-Harbor…

The Origin

Across town, in 2005, Bob and Jamie Lindburg opened Zola’s Pizzeria in the old  historic bank building at 702 Chetco Avenue (currently a.ell atelier & design).

Interior of the original Zola's at 702 Chetco Avenue in Brookings. Established in 2005.
Interior of the original Zola’s at 702 Chetco Avenue in Brookings (established in 2005)
Interior of the original Zola's at 702 Chetco Avenue in Brookings. Established in 2005.
Interior of the original Zola’s at 702 Chetco Avenue in Brookings (established in 2005)

How Zola’s Got Its Name


Jamie and Bob put some real thought into naming their restaurant, and it took several weeks of figuring. Jamie said of the process, “We wanted something short that started with a Z and was Italian…so came up with Zola’s…meaning “dirt–of the earth” – which, everything we did was fresh – so that was appropriate. Plus it landed us in a good “phone book spot” that stood out and was easy to remember.”

The original menu was simple: pizza, breadsticks, and Caesar Salads. Here’s their original pizza lineup:

•Zola’s Combo
•All Meat
•South Pacific
•South Pacific Gone Wild
•Alfredo Chicken Pizza

The Lindburg’s stayed at the 702 Chetco Avenue location for approximately 1 year before moving into the former Wharfside Restaurant location:

Zola's at their original port location.
Zola’s original port location (formerly Wharfside)

They took over the space on agreement with the port that they’d fix up the building and make it a viable business once again. So they refurbished, installed their wood-fired pizza oven into the already small dining area, and off they went making hand-tossed, wood-fired pizzas. They added 3 varieties of wings, plus pastas (spaghetti, alfredo and mac & cheese), several varieties of breadsticks, and more pizzas to their menu. Things pretty much stayed like that until 2009, when the Lindburg’s sold their creation to Eian and Monica Savas.

New Ownership, New Beginning

Eian and Monica Savas -- Owners of Zola's On The Water
Monica and Eian Savas, owners of Zola’s On The Water

In 2009, the Savas’ took over ownership of Zola’s Pizzeria. They expanded the menu by adding even more pizza options, sandwiches and an ever-expanding selection of local bottled and canned beers. They also painted the exterior of the building purple with neon green trim, to grab the attention of passers-by.

Zola's Pizzeria after it was painted purple and neon green!
The colors they chose foreshadowed future boldness and creativity to come

They added a new flair to the culture of Zola’s by implementing several interactive elements that really connected with customers and became trends, helping fuel their fanbase in the early days.

  • Customers decorated dollar bills, which were stapled to the ceilings. 
  • Customers and staff decorated pizza boxes, which lined the walls and ceilings. 
  • They covered every table with butcher paper in lieu of tablecloths and set out boxes of crayons at every table to encourage even more customer creativity. The table paper became wallpaper. Check it out in the reel below.
  • Customers
  • Customer Art
  • Customer Art
  • Art, Art, Art!

They created 11 years worth of memories (and art) in that small space between 2009 and 2020, growing a huge customer base of locals and travelers alike. Between the cramped space, large staff, the constant heat of the fires, and their still growing fanbase, they knew someday soon they’d need more room.

Setting The Stage For Zola’s On The Water– A Farewell To Sporthaven Marina

Sporthaven Marina Bar & Grill
Sporthaven Marina


In January of 2020, Sporthaven Marina officially closed after almost 25 years in operation. The owners, Howard and Cindy, were great people. They were very welcoming, treated you like family, and they put a lot of love into the food they served. I was sad to see them go. I enjoyed eating there and doing deliveries for them.

A Salute To Another Great Chowder House Down


Over the years, Sporthaven Marina won the Oregon Coast Chowder Cook-Off three times: in 2009, 2010 and 2012–and they were named the best chowder house in Southern Oregon. A real bummmer for this chowderhound when they closed.

Another Amazing Transformation — Zola’s On The Water Is Born

Zola's On The Water
Zola’s On The Water

Eian and Monica took over the former Sporthaven Marina building in 2020 and created Zola’s On The Water. True to their style, they updated the exterior–though this time with a more downplayed color scheme (they saved the wild transformation for the interior). They also renovated the patio with new seating and glass railing, plus added a pet-friendly area, firepits, cornhole, live music in- and outside, and added coverings to the deck. Oh, and heaters for the deck and patio.

One of my favorite elements of the move and the remodel of the new space is that they kept all of the artwork and brought it with them by painstakingly converting every piece into digital images, which were then turned into a wallpaper collage, which they pasted up in the pizza kitchen with a newer, larger, wood-fired pizza oven. I love the juxtaposition of the old and the new.

  • Before this space was Zola's, it was Sporthaven Marina.
    Before…
  • The same space after Zola's renovation. Classier, to say the least.
    After!

Apart from the visual changes, they went all out with the menu. They’ve really outdone themselves and they are now a fullscale restaurant, in addition to a pizza joint. They added a burger (The 57 Burger), Pork Tenderloin, Steaks, Calamari, Oysters, Scallops, Crab, Fish n Chips, Fish Tacos, Ceviche, Gaspacho, Poke, Shrimp Cocktail, Peel & Eat Prawns, and Clam Chowder with housemade bread bowls (a delicious and welcome item), plus a whole bunch of new sandwiches, pasta dishes, appetizers and miscellaneous items!

Zola's from above. Drone picture.
Mitch showcasing a glorious sandwich.
Oyster Shooters on a platter.
Shrimp sauteing in a pan.
Mussels sauteing in a pan.
Spicy sauteed shrimp dish with crusty bread.
Steak on a grill.
Burger stacked tall with loads of veggies and an ice-cold beer.
Pizza coming out of the wood-fired oven.
The full Zola's bar, backlit by icy blue lighting.
Mixed drink being poured over ice. Dry ice creates an alchemist's feel.
Mixed drink on the bar table at Zola's, with smoke surrounding it for an exotic effect.

Oh, did I mention the bar? That’s a thing. No more cans and bottles. Pull up to the bar for big boy service with beer on tap and a full selection of mixed drinks and liquor options. Just check out that transformation. Amazing! (The bars are on opposite sides of the building, but the difference in style is definitely noteworthy).

  • Before…
  • After!

Hurry In Curry Delivery Service & Zola’s On The Water

Hurry In Curry came on the scene back in 2016. At that time Zola’s Pizzeria was still delivering pizzas. That changed in 2020 when they moved into the new building. Eian contacted me, asking if I’d be willing to take on deliveries since they’d be focused on the full, “in-house” dining experience, and they planned to cease delivering altogether. I was enthusiastic and agreeable.

We’ve built a great relationship over the years. Fistbumps and smiles on the fly all day! Eian and I are both always on the go, so that’s our relation, “hello and goodbye” at high speed.

It’s been a great 3 years. Their staff is huge and they consistently amaze me with their efficiency. They are a fine-tuned, well-oiled machine. Here’s to many more years of success for Zola’s On The Water, and to their continued relationship with Hurry In Curry Delivery Service.

A Word Of Thanks!


Heartfelt thanks to YOU, dear reader! Your support and encouragement mean everything to us. Thanks for being here.

Interested to lend a hand? Feel free to share our blog with a friend or family member. Also, sign up for our Newsletter, via the signup sheet below.

Gabriel Chatman
Owner/Operator
Hurry In Curry Deliveries

**Bonus Historical Footnote for those who enjoy footnotes from the annals of eras gone by (and for those who enjoy the word annals): Big Z Sticks used to be called “Brad Sticks.”
; )

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Hurry In Curry & Fely’s Cafe — Blog Post #2

Fely's Cafe

This is the story of Fely’s Cafe—

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

–Maya Angelou

A picture of Fely
This is Fely


Fely makes food. 

But that’s not really what she does. 

Fely makes you feel good.

She remembers people. She remembers your name…and also the names of your family members. And she asks about them warmly, even if she hasn’t seen you in years. It is her gift and her blessing. It makes you feel seen, heard, remembered. Important.

Plus she makes eye contact and says, “hello honey” as you walk in the door, which has always reminded me of how my great grandmother, Concha, would welcome me into her kitchen–with genuine love. I know this experience is so universal with Fely that no matter how much time goes by, she will always be remembered as the lady who makes you feel good (also as the lady who feeds you like you’re family, because she serves up big ‘ol portions)!

Fely’s Cafe is a testament to the notion that you can build a successful business by building relationships. It goes further than that, really–you can build a great life by building relationships, but it works perfectly well as a business philosophy. That’s why Fely’s Cafe is an iconic piece of the Brookings/Harbor landscape and history. Many restaurants have come and gone since the 90’s, but Fely’s remains.

A Longstanding History of Service


Fely moved to Brookings with her husband in 1988. They owned a construction business up in Alaska and they were moving to Mexico. Along the long stretch of Highway 101, they stopped off in Brookings…and never left. That’s a common story around these parts. Brookings has a way of reeling you in and not letting go.

Fely’s Cafe has been in business since 1991, and will likely continue until whenever Fely decides she’s done. She got her start down at Sporthaven Beach where her kitchen & cafe sat alongside the laundromat for years in an old weather-worn building.

Original Sporthaven Beach location.
The Original Fely’s Cafe
A picture of Fely at her original cafe location.
Fely back at the old Sporthaven Beach location

Over the years she’s been serving up classic diner options. For breakfast: foods like pancakes, omeletes, sausage, bacon, ham, hashbrowns, and biscuits & gravy; and lunch options including: burgers, hot dogs, fries and chili. Simple staples, large portions.

She most definitely serves the biggest burgers in town! The buns can’t contain them. They’re no match.

Breakfast Sandwich
Omelette and hashbrowns.
Fely's massive burgers
Fely's French Fries

Unexpected Move


Back in 2014, The Port of Brookings Harbor decided that Fely’s and the Laundromat were outdated buildings and they needed to be torn down and removed. News that shocked many people.

Original Sporthaven Beach Fely's location signage.

There was a public outcry for Fely’s Cafe! Through the support of our wonderful community, Fely and her cafe were relocated from the port location to Shopping Center Avenue, right next to the laundromat (apparently Fely’s and laundromats go hand in hand). Nobody wanted to see her go. So she stayed. 

Signage at the new Fely's Cafe location.
New Fely’s location on Shopping Center Avenue in Harbor
Image of the menu
New Fely’s interior and menu

Maybe someday she’ll make it all the way to Mexico. Until then, we’ll all gladly keep enjoying the feels and the food down at Fely’s Cafe.

Fely’s Blog Part II — Hear it From The Locals


With a place as long-standing as Fely’s, everyone has a story to share. I wanted to hear from locals and visitors alike about their Fely’s Cafe experiences.

So I sent out a message in a bottle over the high seas of facebook. Here’s how it read:

“Please take a moment to share:

1) A fun story or factoid about Fely and/or her cafe (especially if it’s about the old Sporthaven Beach location).

2) Your favorite Fely’s Cafe food item.

3) If you’re a regular, what keeps you coming back for more?”

From Fely’s Customers:

Debbie Valentine
My favorite thing about Fely’s is Fely herself!!!!!!

Dave Hodge
Fely is amazing–she would have a couple walk in that had been there once ten years ago and she would tell them where they lived and what they ordered to their amazement and she was correct! She has never met a stranger and always gives more than takes! Also her food is amazing!

Lisa Wilder
Fely’s great patty melts! Fely’s great heart and spirit!!! I can hear her now, “hello honey!”

McKenna Wiley
So many good memories at Felys. I remember going with my grandparents as a very small child and us sharing one of her huge cheeseburgers. No matter how much time has passed, she always remembers my name and remembers who I am. My grandparents have both now passed, but some of my fondest memories with them take place at Fely’s Sporthaven location, watching her solar toys dance and watching the waves.

Barbara Tedson
I love her burgers!

Jilly A Hall
She would still open even if the driftwood washed up to her door.

The quarter pounder burger with caramelized onions, of course.

She ALWAYS remembers my son and asks about him ever since he was little and would go in there for a corn dog. He is 20 now!

Charlee Capps
Amazing ladies! I get biscuits n gravy every Sunday!

And Some More…

Shealynne Ivana Smith
My fiance took me there for our first date. The 3 older women working made me the most amazing and HUGE cheese burger! They told me a story about their first loves and it was too cute, they are all so kind! Their food is amazing and I adore their art work in the Café. Beautiful lighthouses!

Bethiah Rebecca Johnson
So cool. And funny, she’s always sweeping isn’t she?? (I’ve known her very closely since I was 6!!)

Funny story, her name is pronounced “Fay lee.”

Theresa Nicole
We go there whenever we visit from Grants Pass. Absolutely love her “like family” servings and amazing omelets. She is such a sweet lady.

And More…

Penny Goolbsy
She loves to feed her “people” and it shows!! And we all love supporting her, yes???

Berma Matteson
A favorite memory is sitting at one of the picnic tables outside (the beach) Fely’s and a whale came in close to the beach. We were eating one of Fely’s famous burgers. I loved going there for breakfast and coffee, sitting at the bar looking out at the ocean.

Jeremy Cabrera
LOVE, LOVE Fely’s!!!! Patty Melt!!! Hmmmm!!!

Patricia Brown
Had a delicious Polish Dog there last week. Got to visit with Fely. She always asks about my grown up grandsons. Fely has known us since they were little boys. She is like family!

TomnRuthie Moody
Fely aims to please!!! She’s like family! I love her BLT’s!

And More…

Opal White
She welcomes us everytime we come in. She knows us so well she already has our order written down…My husband told her that her scales are broken when she makes us our 1/4 lb bacon cheese burgers lol….they are so big we share one.

My fondest memory of Fely’s at Sports Haven was all her solar animated figures dancing in the windows… 

My favorite meal is Fely’s Bacon Cheeseburgers…but anything she makes is delicious…but most of all is her LOVE and herself will always keep us coming back…

Jaide McCleary
Fely is amazing!! Everytime we go in she is sure to say hello to our kids and make sure we’re all doing well. I love the biscuits and gravy!

I took my sister there and my kids and grandchildren; she asks every time we go in how they are…plus they also always stop when they come thru town….Fely’s is our #1 place to go whenever we need a good burger fix.

Mariah Stumpenhaus
Fely is a beautiful person inside and out. She has a memory that will put anyone elses to shame. She remembers everyone in my family. Our entire family has been visiting Fely since I was a little girl. My Grandpa used to vacation (before he passed) every summer at the Port and we would always go to Felys. Now I’m married and my husband and I take our daughter regularly.

Anything on the menu–you cannot go wrong–Breakfast (I’m a sucker for the omelets), and for Lunch you can’t help but get the giant cheeseburger.

Fely is loved by so many in this community.

Fely’s Blog Part III — My Story

After college I kept living in the Portland area for several years. When I finally decided to come back home to Brookings I was 27 years old. I didn’t have a plan and I was just bumming around Brookings so most days I was up for whatever adventure came my way.

One day I ran into my friend Jerry Woods around lunchtime. He was hungry. I had a car. I’d fly, he’d buy, we decided. I asked him to pick the spot. He asked if I’d ever had one of Fely’s massive burgers. I said no. He said to shut my mouth, we were going to Fely’s to split one of those beasts!

Jerry was the perfect friend to have when you’re up for adventure, because he was always floating about randomly, spreading goodness. Just free. And he didn’t require anything of you. Not even words.

We walked in all smiles and chatted with Fely, alongside the whole gang of her smiling, dancing, solar toys going ham sandwich all day as always, while she cooked us up the biggest burger in Brookings with a huge pile of fries! Once served, we headed out to the old grayed picnic tables and split that big ol’ burger and fries and both got good and full right there in the sunshine. I’ll always remember that day, just like I’ll always remember Jerry Woods.

Jerry’s no longer with us, but he and Fely were two of a kind. They had the same ability: a way of seeing and experiencing others that leaves them feeling good. I’ll always love Fely’s Cafe because every time I go there, I remember my friend as I’m being warmly welcomed back to someplace familiar and fond.

–Gabriel Chatman–
Owner/Operator
Hurry In Curry Deliveries

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Hurry In Curry & Wild River Pizza — Blog Post #1

The Hurry In Curry Blog Logo

We Deliver Wild River Pizza


Hurry In Curry Delivery Service is proud to deliver for Wild River Pizza. They’ve been a part of the Brookings landscape for as long as I can remember. Literally. I was born in 1981 and the Brookings location was established in 1980. Back then it was just called Pizza Deli (prior to rebranding in 1994). 

Just like the rest of the longtime Brookings residents, I have countless fond memories at Wild River. Memories of piles of chicken and chips and platters of pizza laid out across long, sturdy tables–friends, family, and  teammates crowded around; plus pool and air hockey, pinball, arcade machines, gumballs and those stretchy sticky hands from the quarter machines. It was the best. 

My memories run all the way from childhood through BHHS Safe and Sober Graduation (which Wild River hosts annually) and the years beyond. Now I have kids of my own and we celebrate birthdays there. For me, and so many others, it’s the most nostalgic place in Brookings. An iconic gathering place.

To this day, Wild River still serves up their classic party cut pizzas and chicken & chips just like they used to when I was a kid, plus they’ve added a whole lot to the menu over the years: sandwiches, salad, breadsticks, wings, beer, rootbeer, desserts, a lunch buffet and more.

All those years gone by and I never really looked into (or thought about) the history of Wild River Pizza, aka Pizza Deli. Did you know that Pizza Deli didn’t get its start in Brookings? The original establishment was in Cave Junction. Today there are 5 Wild River locations!

Pizza Deli/Wild River Pizza
Historical Timeline

June, 1975 
Cave Junction, OR—
Jerry and Bertha Miller establish Miller’s Shady Oaks Pizza Deli.

1980
Brookings, OR—
Added a new Pizza Deli location, operated by Jerry & Bertha’s son, Darrel, and his wife Becky.

1990
Grants Pass, OR—
Opened Steelhead Brewery, brewing award winning beer. 

1994
Grants Pass, OR—
Opened a new location and a nearby pub they dubbed Wild River Brewing. Thus, Wild River Brewing & Pizza Company was born. The Cave Junction and Brookings Pizza Delis rebranded to Wild River Pizza & Brewing.

November, 2006
Medford, OR—
Wild River adds a fifth location. With seats for about 300 diners, they’re carrying on the legacy of being a great place to gather and make lifelong memories.

Historical Footnote

All of the meat supplied to Wild River comes from Taylor’s Sausage in Cave Junction, Oregon, since 1975. They are the exclusive supplier of Linguica, Sweet Italian Sausage, Polish Sausage, and many custom products at all Wild River restaurants. In point of fact, Jerry helped the Taylor’s set up their original meat plant, and started out selling sandwiches exclusively with Taylor’s Sausage products. To this day, there’s a sandwich named after Jerry’s wife, Bertha, “The Bertha’s Favorite,” as homage to their original roots!

Present Day Wild River

Wild River Pizza is a family run business. Here at the Brookings location, Darrel and Becky have passed the torch on to their son, Cody Miller, who manages with the help of his aunt Krista Holler and his cousin Ashley Holler. Cody’s cousin Clay Leedy oversees all the operations in the valley with his wife Josie Leedy. 

Cody has been an awesome ally to Hurry In Curry over the years and we really appreciate him, his family, and their whole crew for their quality, attention to detail, and support over the years. They refer more customers to Hurry In Curry than any other restaurant in Brookings-Harbor.

I remember when I first approached Cody and Darrel to let them know I was opening a delivery service and that I’d like to deliver for them. They were hesitant. Cody was concerned about quality control. Understandably so. It’s hard to trust a third party to be your brand ambassador. I could tell I’d need to put in the work to prove it, but I promised them I’d give it my all because I intended to raise my family here through my delivery service. So I did. Over the years we’ve built a mutual respect and a great working relationship. 

Brief Interview with Cody Miller, Brookings Wild River Manager

Cody and Crystle Miller

I recently interviewed Cody via facebook Messenger. I had a few questions I wanted to ask, and my plan was to extract the useful bits and turn it into exposition. Turned out I liked the way it read organically. So here it is, raw and uncut.

Were any of the locations built by your family? Or were all of the buildings purchased as-is?

“We custom built the Grants Pass main location, and the Central Point location as well. The others were purchased and slowly evolved with the businesses.”

I’ve never been to the Grants Pass location. The website says there’s a pub and a Wild River Pizza and they’re on E and F streets. Are they nearby to one another or connected? 

“They are a few hundred feet apart.”

Also, I read that the pub was born in 1994. Was the Grants Pass restaurant also started in 1994?

“Yes, the pub and Grants Pass location were both born in ‘94.”

General Info

The Brookings-Harbor location has always employed lots of high school students. Do all 5 locations hire as many local students, or is that just a ‘here’ thing?

“Brookings is the main employer of high school aged students…”

In what ways is Wild River involved with local area philanthropy?

“We basically sponsor every charitable cause on the coast from Crescent City to Gold Beach. Especially the schools. One of our biggest is Safe and Sober for sure, but we love working with the theaters and performing arts, and sports!”

Are your grandparents still involved in operations?

“Grandpa passed away a few years ago, but we work hard to maintain his legacy. Grandma Bertha still dips her toes in here and there.”

And maintain his legacy they do! Cody is a third-generation family member; he and his wife, Krystle have two small children. Can’t wait to see what the 4th generation of Millers do with the place when they take over–provided they choose to follow in the family footsteps.


-Gabriel Chatman-
Owner/Operator
Hurry In Curry Deliveries

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Restaurants in Brookings/Harbor — The Hurry In Curry Blog!

The Hurry In Curry Blog Logo


Hurry In Curry Delivery Service is Located in Brookings-Harbor, Oregon

Chetco Bridge, connecting Brookings and Harbor.

We’re All About Delivery From Brookings-Harbor Restaurants

Logo collage representing some of the Brookings-Harbor restaurants from which we deliver.

For the Love of Local Brookings/Harbor Restaurants!

Shop. Eat. Enjoy. LOCAL!

Our Blog and Newsletter


Hurry In Curry offers delivery from restaurants in Brookings/Harbor. We’re in Brookings restaurants almost every day, so we’ve learned a lot about our local food vendors since opening in 2016. We’re happy to share what we know.

Are you pumped to learn about restaurants in Brookings, Oregon? Then you’ve arrived! This page is an introduction to our Blog and our Newsletter, both of which feature Brookings/Harbor restaurants.

The Hurry In Curry Blog is all about our local restaurants from a historical perspective. We’ll tell you the story of how they got their start and how they became what they are today. We’ll also discuss restaurants that closed permanently. To spice things up from time to time, we’ll do a deep-dive into the past and dredge up some spicy restaurant history from the bygone, old-timey days of Brookings.

Our blog will be published on the 1st of every month beginning June, 2023. Our Newsletter comes out on the 15th of every month. So remember to check back frequently for fresh, tasty content!

If you want news and updates, about Brookings Harbor restaurants, subscribe to our e-mail Newsletter, In The Loop, below. We’ll keep you current and up to date on the Brookings-Harbor restaurant buzz. In The Loop also keeps you up to date on all things Hurry In Curry. Plus we have special contests only available to our subscribers.

For Newsletter & Blog Notifications, like and follow our facebook page!

Huge thanks for being here; your support means everything to us!

-Gabriel Chatman-
Owner/Operator
Hurry In Curry

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