Oxford Eats is back for January 2025

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Once Christmas is over many Oxford and area residents may not have the disposable income to go out and enjoy a great meal at one of the county’s many great restaurants, but Tourism Oxford is hoping people will through its Oxford Eats promotion.

Participating eateries come up with new menu items and promote them through the organization in the hopes of increasing sales over what is traditionally a slow period. The event runs from Jan. 17 to the 31.

Meredith Maywood, Oxford County’s Tourism Specialist, is hoping the initiative will be a boost to participating restaurants.

“We launched it last year knowing that January can sometimes be a quiet time of year but there are so many great options for people in the county. When it's darker and the days are shorter, it’s nice to have a bit of a refresh to just get out and celebrate the local food scene.”

There is a small fee for restaurants to participate and Maywood added she is hopeful more establishments will come on board in 2026.

“Most of the restaurants are in the Woodstock area and it is time for us to get out and make more people aware of the program. We hope more will come on in the future but we did get great results last year with an increase in traffic and also new people coming in to check them out,” she added.

The federal government’s sales tax break will remain in effect during the two-week promotion, something Maywood hopes will boost sales.

“It’s some really great savings when you consider you could be going out and having dinner for $25 to $30 or getting a gourmet meal up to $85 a person.”

She added Jordan’s Divine Dish in Norwich is a reasonably priced option at just $17.99.

“You could be having a plate of southern fried chicken. That’s a great value already. I’m pretty sure I want to go and try that or his maple chili chicken burger,” she quipped. “You can also have a six-ounce Manhattan steak for $35 with an app and dessert at Louie’s.”

Mike Gibson is the executive chef at Louie’s Pizza and Pasta in Ingersoll and said any help to get people in his seats is welcomed.

“January is slow for all restaurants after the Christmas season so we are hoping it will bring some people through the doors and at the same time support local businesses.”

This reporter, a seasoned veteran of all things steak, had no idea what a Mahattan was. Gibson filled me in.

“It’s basically a striploin steak trimmed down and cut in half so it has a filet mignon presentation to it. It’s a bit of a thick cut but not as big and long as a typical striploin steak.”

Louie’s is also serving a Cajun shrimp fettuccine and both entries come with an appetizer and dessert, all for 35 bucks.

Gibson added Tourism Oxford’s work to attract more visitors to area restaurants is noticeable with people coming from far and wide.

“We have seen a lot of that with the Cheese Trail boost in the last couple of years. People are coming from Brantford and even the Toronto area. Our panzerotti challenge has been a big thing for us too.”

That challenge involves a massive pizza pie and about a quarter of those who decide to take it on are successful.

“Most people don’t order it unless they are serious about eating it all. If they do, it’s free.”

Tourism Oxford supplies participating restaurants with a wide variety of marketing and advertising support to make the program successful.

“We are utilizing digital advertising in addition to radio and print. The restaurants also play a role in promoting what’s happening because they have a great audience and sometimes people just need a reminder why they should pop out and have a great meal,” explained Merryweather.

Other participating restaurants are Ironworks Kitchen, Brickhouse Brewpub, Finkle Street Tap and Grill, and sixthirtynine, all located in Woodstock.

More information is available at https://www.tourismoxford.ca/experience_oxford_responsibly/oxford_eats.aspx/#sixthirtynine.