Sizzler of Ramona: Past, Present and Future
Sizzler of Ramona is back in the experienced hands of the original owner of the franchise, Joyce Kohurst. The family ownership now includes daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Adam Sullivan, to carry the torch—or tongs—into the future.
Joyce and her husband Don arrived in Ramona from Glendora, Calif., in the Los Angeles area in 1979, establishing a Christmas tree farm on their property at the corner of Highway 78 and Magnolia Avenue. They worked the 8,000-tree farm on weekends until Don retired from his engineering career, and they moved here full time in 1987.
They also bought five lots on Main Street with the intent to develop a small strip mall, but in 1986 they got an offer they couldn’t refuse and acquired a franchise for the Sizzler Restaurant. While Joyce was training at a Sizzler in Mira Mesa, Don acted as the general contractor, and, using all local contractors, built the handsome stone and wood building at the corner of Fourth and Main streets.
They opened the restaurant in March of 1988 and Joyce ran it until they sold the franchise, but not the real estate under it, 12 years later. Now, after another eight years, and a recent complete remodel, they once again own the Sizzler franchise. Their son-in-law Adam is managing the restaurant, and the family has big plans for the future of the Ramona Sizzler.
The Kohursts’ Christmas tree farm is long gone. In its place stands Pyramid Vineyard & Winery, the vines having been planted in 2000.
The entire family is committed to the promotion of local wines, enhancement of agri-tourism in the area and the success of the Ramona AVA (American Viticultural Area). Plans include the remodel of the Sizzler banquet room to include a wine bar where a “flight” of local wines will be available for tasting, and local wines can be purchased by the glass.
“We want our restaurant to be an anchor location for the promotion of the appellation,” said Adam.
Each month a different Ramona winery will be featured with information about the winery, the wines and the wine maker. They are also going to develop a map to show where the wineries are, those that are open for tasting, and where wines can be purchased for the wineries that do not yet have tasting rooms.
The Sizzler menu will be modified to include not only its signature steaks, ribs, chicken and extensive salad bar, but offerings of fresh fish.
“Fresh food and good local wine go so well together,” Adam said with enthusiasm.
There will even be items prepared “To Go” for tourists wanting a picnic to accompany their winery tours.
The Sizzler banquet room will remain a popular location for service club meetings and other community events.
The Kohursts and the Sullivans will be striving to “entice locals to stay in town, enjoy local wines with their food, and leave their dining dollars in Ramona rather than going down the hill.”