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Famed Umatilla Restaurant To Reopen Soon

    “Be patient with us.”
    Danny Eaton and wife Bonnie have heard the public’s excitement over them bringing one of Umatilla’s famed restaurants back into business.  As longtime Umatilla area residents, the couple understands Old Crow BBQ’s place in Umatilla dining lore, and have spent the last several weeks getting the venerable location prepared for opening.
    The Eatons come to the business with a history that includes Bonnie’s ownership of a sub restaurant.  After transitioning out of their previous careers, the couple was looking for a new challenge and have found it in the purchase of Old Crow, which has been closed since late last year.
    “My goal is to have a soft opening in early November,” said Bonnie Eaton this week, inside a spruced up dining room that has included fresh paint.  The restaurant kitchen has undergone extensive deep cleanings over several weeks, with restroom renovations currently underway and exterior upgrades that will include fresh paint before opening.
    In fact, getting the location clean, and keeping it clean, is a top priority for Bonnie.
    “Cleaning is number one.  If you have time to lean, you have time to clean.”
    The Eatons closed on the property on October 8, officially kicking off the renovations and menu development, with the latter expected to be music to longtime Old Crow fans’ ears. 
    “Old Roots, New Smoke.”  That’s the restaurants motto, and it comes with a renewed dedication to the restaurant’s historic menu.  Danny says expect a ‘keep it simple’ philosophy that focuses on the restaurant’s core historical menu, with a few extras added in.
    “We’re not going to have a four-page book as a menu,” Danny said.
    For fans of Old Crow from years gone by, the menu is also expected to include recipes from Old Crow’s maternal founder, Leora Locke.  Locke has visited with the Eatons and reportedly offered to help recreate many of the side dishes, dessert items, and more that made Old Crow famous.
    “She’s offered to sit down and help us,” Danny said. 
    While it’s too soon to place that order for peach cobbler, it’s not too soon to start thinking about it, and the Eaton’s hope the public will come along and join in the hoped-for-success of the new Old Crow.
    “We hope everyone will be supportive, we can’t do it without them,” said Danny.
    That opportunity to support is expected to once again include catering, once a hallmark of large-party events throughout the area.
    “I want to start catering again,” Bonnie said.
    Once open, Old Crow is expected to be open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch and dinner, and Sunday for lunch.  As it was in the past, the restaurant will be closed on Monday.