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Mike McGee is the new owner of the Oracle Inn.
The Oracle Inn Steakhouse is now under new ownership. The restaurant and bar has been an important part of the community and has been in operation since 1938. The new owner is Mike McGee from Tucson. He and his wife Cindy have over 40 years’ experience in the restaurant industry. They own the Cattleman’s Café at Marana Stockyards and are part owners of Cuban Blaze restaurant, with Maritza Duran.
Cattleman’s Café is located at 14901 W. Kirby Hughes Road in Marana. It is known for its “down home” cooking. It is popular with local cowboys who you may see wearing their spurs while dining. Cuban Blaze was once known as Cattleman’s 2. It is the only Cuban restaurant in Tucson located at 10110 N. Oracle Road in Oro Valley, next to the El Conquistador. To learn more about the restaurants, visit them on Facebook or http://www.cubanblaze.com.
Mike started in the restaurant business when he was 13 working at the now closed Ralph’s Rancho on Flowing Wells Road in Tucson. He worked as a cook at Sambo’s and was a chef for 20 years. He worked as chef for the 5-star restaurant Briarwood in Phoenix for seven years. He has been a district and area manager for El Pollo Loco, Cocos and Rubios in California and Arizona. Cindy has been a server and manager in her career. Their children are now part of the family business. Daughter Lisa is the manager at Cattleman’s Café and daughter Gena is the daytime manager at Cuban Blaze. Their sons Michael Jr. and Jason are learning all facets of the business. Michael also praised his staff at both places calling them “great”.
Mike said he believes that buying the Oracle Inn was meant to be.
“I came up to Oracle to buy an electric oven and bought a restaurant and bar instead,” he said.
Oracle Inn under new ownership.
Mike was to meet Nick Darimont at the Oracle Inn and then go to the Oracle Market building to see the oven. While talking about the oven with Nick, he found out it was a gas oven which he did not want. Nick offered to give Mike a guided tour of the Oracle Inn and when he was told it was for sale, he looked into the opportunity and decided to buy it. Had Mike been told over the phone that it was a gas oven, he would not have come to Oracle. Mike wanted to thank Adrian and Kari Darimont for their hospitality and for keeping the Oracle Inn going. He would also like to thank Nick Darimont for his help showing him around the restaurant and bar and introducing him to staff. Nick will be bartending on weekends at the Inn.
Some changes will be happening at the Oracle Inn.
“We are going to create something new but keep the old ways,” Mike said.
Some of the history and nostalgia will stay and they may call it the new O.I. which Mike said the younger customers call it.
“We will continue to serve great steaks and prime rib,” he said.
They will “enhance” the menu which has been limited lately. Additions to the menu will include swordfish, shrimp and pasta dishes. New specials have been introduced and are served Monday thru Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The $8.99 specials are: O.I. club sandwich on sour dough, grilled ham, green chili, and Swiss cheese on rye, fried cod sandwich on a roll with tartar sauce. cheeseburger, Philly steak sandwich, bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich on wheat and grilled or fried chicken salad with or without buffalo sauce. The special sandwiches come with French fries while the salad does not. The salad and sandwiches include a choice of 1st domestic draft beer, or coffee, tea or soft drink.
The Oracle Inn is now open at 11 a.m., seven days a week. Mike has plans to serve breakfast, starting sometime in August. Happy Hour at the bar is every day except Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m.
The O.I. will be streaming music from 7 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday from their jukebox for free. You can use the music on the jukebox or play your own music from your phone. They even have an App where you can record your music and play it on the jukebox. DJs will also be brought in on select evenings.
Mike has invited everyone to try the new O.I., (Oracle Inn) and stop in and introduce yourself. There are great new food items and fun to be had!
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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