Oxfords Casual Dining's new owners keep classic menu, with Mediterranean twist
After more than 20 years in the industry, Executive Chef Egest (Egi) Veliu bought his first restaurant, Oxfords Casual Dining on Millbury Boulevard in Oxford, operating the business with his wife, Jola Veliu, since January 2022.
Some diners may recognize the name Egi Veliu as he previously was executive chef at The Manor Banquet Facility and The Draught House Bar & Grill in West Boylston for more than 15 years, leaving before the Fotiadis family sold the business last year. Veliu is an Albanian chef who trained in restaurants in and outside of the Worcester area.
His decision to buy Oxfords from former owners Paul Dadah and his wife, Kris, didn’t come lightly. Veliu heard that the previous owners considered selling around the same time he had looked at other properties in Worcester.
Oxfords was a turnkey restaurant and it has parking, said Veliu. Another important consideration for deciding whether to invest in a preexisting restaurant establishment is why are the owners selling, he said. The Dadahs looked forward to early retirement, according to Veliu. The business is well-established and has a great reputation, he said.
“The pandemic pushed people like myself to reevaluate their personal lives and jobs,” said Veliu.
People in the industry work late evenings, weekends and holidays, he said, and he knew he wanted out from the days of working 70+hours a week.
“I knew I wanted to spend more time with my wife and our two kids,” he said.
Oxfords Casual Dining, 2 Millbury Blvd. in Oxford, is open 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Veliu said he likes the hours. The restaurant will open early Saturdays for private parties and cater special Sunday events, according to Veliu, who is seriously considering Saturday lunch and Sunday brunch in the spring.
“I would like to see it through,” he said.
Veliu works the line beside the kitchen crew and creates weekend menu specials. The restaurant staff is complete, with several new hires, he said, adding that the staff stuck by ownership through the trials of COVID-19.
Immigrated from Albania
Veliu and his wife came to the U.S. from Albania and first met through friends in Worcester. Veliu studied at Worcester State College. He had basic first jobs in the industry, starting as a dishwasher and working his way up the ranks to executive chef.
Jola Veliu is a project manager for a pharmaceutical company and works at Oxfords whenever she is needed. She spends most of the time in the front of the house.
Since taking over, Chef Veliu has pretty much kept the menu intact and explained that he didn’t want to upset or frustrate regular guests. He tweaked it a bit, he said, adding items like a signature Mediterranean Platter that includes his homemade spinach pies. If you’re looking for variety on the menu, you’ll find it at Oxfords.
There are appetizers, soups, salads (house dressings), Italian dishes, pasta, seafood, grilled food and more. The chef has introduced prime rib as a weekend special, rotating it with other dishes.
The restaurant in a plaza at 2 Millbury Blvd. off Main Street in Oxford, has indoor and seasonal outdoor dining for more than 160. Curbside pickup available, but no delivery.
Call 508-987-1567, or go to oxfordscasualdining.com for more information about menus, live entertainment in the bar area, special offers/discounts, loyalty awards and more.
At this local favorite restaurant and bar, the pride in ownership shows.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: The Dish: New Oxfords Casual Dining owners make restaurant their own
