5 minute read
Odyssey World Cafe
By Camille DeVaul
Named for the Greek King, Odysseyous’s adventures through the Mediterranean Sea, Odyssey World Cafe was one of the first to bring international comfort food to Paso Robles 25 years ago.
Now, after a quarter-century, the cafe’s owners are embarking on a new Odyssey in their lives, turning the restaurant over to long-time Odyssey chef Carmelo and his wife, Anna Rodriguez.
In 1997, Dawn Gregory and John Hawley opened the Odyssey World Cafe on Pine Street in downtown Paso Robles. Originally, the two envisioned Odyssey as a marketstyle shop, bringing the community worldly ingredients that Odysseus, from the epic poem by Greek author Homer, may have found throughout the Mediterranean during his Odyssey. But slowly, Dawn realized their customers wanted to stay at the shop and eat. They wanted John to create sandwiches with these new ingredients.
Soon enough, Odyssey became a cafe, offering comfort food with an international twist. While they were owners, the cafe survived the San Simeon earthquake of 2003, a recession, and now the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But due to the overwhelming support from the community, Odyssey continues to survive and thrive. And now it is time for Dawn and John to pass the torch to Carmelo and Anna.
“I knew in my heart that it was a yes,” says Anna. “This is our time to take on this adventure. Carmelo has been in the restaurant industry for his entire life—I felt like this was the opportunity for me to raise him up and honor the work and the commitment he has made to his career, and if I got to be a part of it while also including our children, I knew, yes it is a yes.”
Chef Carmelo was born in Mexico raised by his father, a butcher, and his mother, a phenomenal cook. Growing up on a farm, he learned husbandry from his father and how to take that bounty and make it into something wholesomely delicious.
Anna says this experience and knowledge has given her family a greater appreciation of food, “You have a closer connection to the food and the food source.”
He moved to California about 24 years ago, where he worked his way up the ranks in a Santa Barbara restaurant. There he worked under another great chef who taught the importance of consistency, quality, and flavorful sauces. Soon, Carmelo and Anna met, were married, and moved back to Anna’s hometown to build their family.
Anna worked for her family’s business while Chef Carmelo continued to dial in his skills working at McPhee’s Grill in Templeton and soon, Odyssey World Cafe.
“He has a well-rounded teaching, a lot of that comes natural to him. The flavor of his food comes natural,” says Anna. “I am bringing an understanding of small business management—that’s my part, combining the business with a front-of-the-house presence and hospitality.”
Chef Carmelo thrived at Odyssey Cafe for the last decade. Anna explains, “They started publishing his name with the specials—it was almost like a foreshadowing of what’s going to happen in the future—they have been choosing him for the last ten years. He really is the strength and the backbone of what we are doing.”
The stars finally aligned for Chef Carmelo and Anna to take over Odyssey. Dawn and John were ready to let go, and they always knew they wanted Anna and Chef Carmelo to adopt the cafe from them.
Anna hopes to fill Dawn’s shoes as the warm, friendly face greeting customers into the cafe, “Dawn had this kindness and genuine care for her customers—I am hoping to be able to follow in her footsteps.”
Chef Carmelo and Anna look forward to honoring Odyssey World Cafe’s roots while adding notes of their own personality and sharing the experience with their children, Max and Paloma, further adding to the Odyssey Family.
For more information on Odyssey World Cafe, visit: odysseyworldcafe. com
Location:
1214 Pine Street Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 237-7516
Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 11 am - 8:30 pm Friday - Saturday: 11 am - 9 pm Sunday: 11 am - 8:30 pm
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FEB. 1 - 15
ADOPT A COCKROACH FOR A SPECIAL SOMEONE
CHARLES PADDOCK ZOO DETAILS: This Valentines’ Day adopt a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach for your special someone (or lack thereof) and receive a certificate of adoption. Visit charlespaddockzoo.org for more details.
FEB. 6 FEB. 11 FEB. 4 - 5
FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE PAVILION ON THE LAKE, ATASCADERO TIME: Fri. 6:30-9:30pm( Ages 11 and under), Sat. 7-10pm (12 & up) DETAILS: Fathers, uncles, grandfathers, or anyone with a special girl is invited to spend a semiformal evening full of music, dancing, refreshments & more!. SWEETHEART BALL PUT ON BY THE MAIN STREET DANCE COMPANY LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH 3770 RUTH WAY, PASO ROBLES TIME: 7 p.m. DETAILS: Semi formal, drinks and treats included, professional pictures available for purchase. Purchase your tickets at www.mainstreetdancetempleton.com. $50 per couple & $15 per extra child.
FEB. 12 FEB. 14
2022 VALENTINE MOVIE NIGHT PARK CINEMAS 1100 PINE ST, PASO ROBLES TIME: 7pm DETAILS: Join us for Valentine Movie Night “Road To Morocco” at PARK CINEMAS . For tickets, call Paso Robles Main Street at 805-238-4103. SWEETHEART STROLL
DOWNTOWN ATASCADERO TIME: 5-8pm DETAILS: Stroll downtown Atascadero with a wine glass, over 15 different tasting spots, enjoy bands, entertainment, instore promotions and more!. More info: atascaderochamber.org 2022 VFW 2814 CHILI COOK-OFF 9555 MORRO RD, ATASCADERO, CA 93422 TIME: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM DETAILS: Free Event. Enjoy homemade chilis, a sundae bar, raffle prizes and a Valentine’s Day Bake Sale! Contest and event is open to the public! VALENTINE’S DAY
DETAILS: Make sure you let that special someone in your life know how much they mean to you!
Pre-Order Picnic BOX LUNCHES!
Winery Tours • Party Platters • Kids Menu
Gluten Free & Vegan Options
Order On-Line We Deliver!! Daily 7:30-4 1102 Pine St. Paso Robles
