Neighborhood Business Highlight: Ajax Diner
It’s been 25 years since Ajax Diner opened its doors on the Oxford Square. Randy Yates, owner, has found success with a great Southern comfort food menu, a funky, family-friendly environment and a fantastic display of folk art, featuring many of Lamar Sorrento’s works. It’s become a food destination in Oxford and it’s ALWAYS difficult to decide which menu item to order!
Originally, Randy Yates wanted to open a BBQ joint, but he had too many good family recipes and recipes from other Jackson, MS area restaurants where he had previously worked 20 years prior. He tweeked many of these recipes, made them his own and they became the Ajax Diner menu that we love today. When we asked Randy how he described the food, he shared, “It’s Southern comfort food. Soul-food. It’s Mississippi cuisine.”
Ajax Diner is named after Randy’s grandfather, AJ Yates. His nickname was Ajax. He was the house steward for the SAE fraternity at Auburn University where he was in charge of meal service. They loved his food. Ajax Diner pays homage to Randy’s late grandfather and you can find his photo above one of the booths in the bar area of the restaurant.
Photo of Randy’s grandfather, “Ajax”
We asked Randy what he loves most about his restaurant and he shared, “I love the people I work with and, of course, the food. I’ve eaten lunch here every day for 25 years!” We couldn’t agree more! The people and the food are what make Ajax such a great place. To celebrate their 25 years, they are hosting what they are calling the Ajax Diner 25th Anniversary Celebration/Prom/Cancelled Christmas Party Hootenanny on Saturday, October 29th from 4:30 pm to closing. There is a $10 cover. They hope to have 5 bands play throughout the night, plus have a costume contest with prizes that range from $500 to a weekend cabin getaway in Heber Springs, AR. Also, Brandon Atkinson (who has worked at Ajax for over 20 years) of Boswell’s Jamaican Food truck will be serving up box dinners of jerk pork, jerk chicken and delicious sides.
We ask our Neighborhood businesses how the Oxford and Lafayette county real estate market affects them. Randy shared, “Summers in Oxford used to be so slow, but we have so many second home-owners that frequent Oxford now that only January and February are slow– we are so much busier.”
We are so thankful for Ajax Diner and its Mississippi soul-food cuisine! Ajax is located at 118 Courthouse Square. They are open Monday – Thursday 11:00 am -2:30 pm (Lunch) and 4:30 pm - 9:00 pm (Dinner). Friday & Saturday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm. They are closed on Sundays.
Neighborhoods close by: Van Buren Village, The Hamilton, 619 University Avenue, Belle Maison, Tyler Place, The Ice House, The Van Buren