Happy March, Ramily – albeit a little early. I am jumping the gun a bit on the news for March because this Sunday, February 26th marks the 52nd birthday of the Ram. What started as a little tavern in the Villa Plaza shopping center in Lakewood, Washington offering “Cook Your Own Dinner Fare” has evolved and grown into what we have today. In 1971, the Ram offered “Color Television” and “Foosball”. The last Thursday of every month between 7 pm – 10 pm, Mug Club beers were 10 cents. Beer Nuts could be had for 15 cents. Monday was “All You Can Eat” Pizza for $1.65. Wines by the glass included “Spanada”, “Loganberry”, “Apple”, “Strawberry”, “Wild Mountain”, “Pink Chablis” and “Peach”. Anyone remember “Cold Duck”? If you do, you probably never saw it on draft, but that is the way it was served at the Ram for 70 cents.
My favorite menu item back then was the “Catch All” Sandwich, which comprised “bountifully prepared Ham, Corned Beef, Roast Beef, pickles, and cheese. Served on a French Roll. Hot or Cold”. We brought this sandwich back around 10 years ago for a little nostalgic fun. In case you are wondering about beer, Olympia Light or Dark was sold for 35 cents a glass or $1.75 for a pitcher.
A broiler and salad bar were positioned in the middle of the dining rooms in the 70s where guests would cook their own fare (burgers and steaks). This indoor, urban BBQ was quite the social scene. I still have people come up to me and say, “I met my spouse cooking a burger at the Ram”. My family’s dentist is one of those folks.
Through the earlier years, those cozy little taverns, or pubs, spread to several western college towns. The late 70s and early 80s brought more full service, bigger menus and more sports programming. In 1995, we began brewing our own beer as the liquor tied-house laws loosened up. And here we stand today, continuing to innovate great food and beverages served with Gracious Hospitality. Some things even have come full circle as pizza is back on the menu. So, Happy 52nd Birthday to the Ram Family. What a wonderful journey. Thank You and Cheers!
On March 8th we commence our 15th Annual BURGERAMA. I am finding it hard to believe it has been 15 years of ground beef gluttony. The menu this year features five delectable burger creations in addition to our Loaded Pizza Fries appetizer. The Marysville and Lake Stevens teams created the Cowboy Burger, topped with BBQ pork carnitas and crispy onions. Expanding the reach of our great selling Rambo Pizza, the Wilsonville team developed the Pizza Burger, topped with the same ingredients as the Rambo pizza. Chef Brandon Escovedo and Banger Smith were winners with their Bam Bam Burger, which offers a smash beef patty, cheddar cheese, bacon-jalapeno onion jam, garlic mayo with Ram Chips on top. High-fives to the Lacey team for their Hawaiian Burger submission; this mouth-watering burger melds teriyaki sauce, Canadian bacon, pepper jack cheese, pineapple, Hawaiian mayo, and island slaw. The final burger selection comes from the Medford team and is known as the Humble Bee, which melds caramelized onions, Havarti cheese, honey bacon and Dijon mayo. Which burger will be the #1 seller?
This month we say Happy Birthday to Earl Jess.
A special thanks to the following team members who celebrate significant anniversaries with the Ram in March: Holly Kalii (5 years), Thomas Morrella (10 years), Laura Aguirre Torres (10 years) Amy Westerhausen (15 years), Diane Williams (13 years) and Renee Sather (11 years). Thank you all very much.
“To go fast, go alone. To go far, go together.” -African proverb