Heber’s OG Café dishes up three squares and a love of community

HEBER CITY, UtahWhen COVID-19 swept the country in 2020, a local eatery didn’t shrink from its commitment to Heber Valley residents. Instead, it saw an opportunity to continue serving the community by becoming one of the first restaurants to offer curbside service and no-contact dining options, including family meals and free lunches for kids during monthslong school closures.

That commitment to community has only grown for the family-owned and operated business. Originally opened in 2018 as The Old Goat in Heber’s Old Town neighborhood, owners April and Ryan Estel purchased the Meyer’s family coffee shop and cafe in 2020, integrating it with their restaurant at its current Main Street location. They rebranded as OG Café and have expanded to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, with online ordering and delivery options.

“It’s always been important to us to give back to the community because it’s so amazing to us,” April said.

The café sources ingredients from local businesses including Stoneground Bakery, Heber Valley Artisan Cheese, Pepperlane Jelly and Charleston’s 01 Bar Ranch. Everything is handmade from scratch, including barbecue sauce, dressings and fry sauce.

“Nothing is frozen or pre-prepped,” April said. “We cut our own lettuce, prepare fresh vegetables, everything.”

Originally from California and high school classmates, Ryan and April reconnected in 2013 and moved to Heber Valley in 2014. Ryan, a professional chef with more than 30 years of coast-to-coast restaurant experience, helped open The Brass Tag restaurant in Deer Valley before being promoted to the seafood buffet at Deer Valley’s Snowpark Lodge.

In 2018, the couple opened their own establishment. “Ryan is the mastermind behind all our amazing food,” April said. “Our expansion to dinner service has really ignited his creative side. He puts his spin on everything he makes and will always honor requests for customers’ favorites.”

The café has won Utah Best of State awards for Best Café, Best Country Breakfast and Best Local Burgers from 2021-23. Beyond accolades, they measure success through community involvement, supporting local sports teams and purchasing farm-raised animals from youth 4-H programs.

Since 2017, the café has supported the Wasatch County Children’s Justice Center with an annual holiday toy drive, earning them the center’s Hero Award. Julie Knaphus from the CJC said, “We have been so grateful to be the recipient of her holiday toy drive! Together, April, Ryan and The Old Goat have donated thousands of dollars of toys and money to the Children’s Justice Center.”

The Estels and their three daughters, who work at the restaurant, have demonstrated their community spirit since opening. They revived the “Very Heber Christmas” celebration, organizing a tree lighting in Heber’s City Park with community donations, Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by firetruck, and local grocery stores providing cookies. The city now continues this tradition at the Tabernacle each December.

Inside the café, memorabilia honors service members and first responders, including Rose Bowl Parade helmets, 9/11 law enforcement tributes and vintage fire extinguishers. Ryan’s uncles, both former fire chiefs in Southern California, donated personal collections, and police officers from across the country contribute their patches. The café offers a 15% “Heroes Discount” to all military and first responders.

Walter Tierney, who moved from Boston to Heber City a decade ago, has become a regular customer. “While we miss the iconic ‘Cheers’ where ‘everybody knows your name,’ we’ve found our own local gem,” he said. “The OG Cafe perfectly complements this welcoming atmosphere. We’re thrilled to see the café expand its offerings to include dinner service.”

The OG Café operates daily, closing only on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving and July Fourth. Breakfast and lunch are served daily, with dinner available Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Online orders and delivery can be placed at OG Cafe’s website.

“We just want to make it as easy as possible for our community to get their OG fix,” April said.