Help Maupin Oregon's Historical Oasis Diner on the Deschutes

Help support and grow a historic restaurant in Maupin, Oregon on the beautiful Deschutes river.

The Oasis Cabin resort is rich in history. Over 100 years old it has evolved through the years and yet stays the same. That is the beauty of it and we want to help the community to feel that exact feeling.

Our Story:

We are Johanna Ware and Nathan Morgan and we have been chefs for 25 years. Nathan loves to fly fish and introduced me (Johanna) to the Oasis in 2019 after I had closed two of my restaurants in Portland, Oregon.

We met at my restaurant Smallwares in 2018 where we created a bond and he became my partner and team mate. I had to close two restaurants in early fall of 2019 and it was a hard time for us. We loved working together and knew it would be hard to find a chef job that we could work together, right after the closing.

We would go and stay at The Oasis Cabin Resort once a month and fish and just walk along the river. During the fall and winter of that year sometimes we would be the only one there. We would peer through the windows of the diner and dream about running it.

Little did we know the pandemic was around the corner and it really became our sanctuary after that to escape for a day and have some tranquility. In 2021 we met the new owners (Andy and Michelle) of the resort and asked them what they were doing with the diner? Three hours later we were on board to help update the 50 year old kitchen and run it for that summer on the weekends.

Since then we have stayed close with Andy and Michelle and have wanted to run it again but it was hard to find housing to live there full time. This year they gave us the opportunity to move out there full time and run the diner.

It is a big leap for us but we love the small supportive community. It is a small town with not many places to eat. The diner has not been able to be open year round in the last 7 years and that is really important for the people who live there. Over the years we have met many of the people in the town and we have heard their need for there to be another place in the area to enjoy a meal.

The town has such a rich history and the people who live here are hard working and filled with passion for what they are surronded by. The town can be a great place to go rafting, fish, relax, listen to live music in the summer, bird watch, or our favorite thing, just have a cup a coffee and watch the river flow in the morning:)

Nate and I would use the money for start up costs and give us a foundation to provide a year round place to come together and eat meals and bring back the memories of a diner that has served generations. There will be milkshakes and burgers!

We would love any donation or just come visit Maupin and support a wonderful place. Just remember to respect the river and the nature around it:)

We wanted to share some history of the Oasis and thank you all!

The Oasis Cabin Resort, formerly known as the Oasis Cafe & Motel, has roots in Oregon's railroad history, starting as housing for railroad workers in 1915, and evolving into a popular fishing camp and family-run resort.

1915

Upon completion of the railroad these temporary cabins, originally used as lodging for railroad hands, were skidded into place and became known as “Williams Camp Cabins”

1940

The Cafe building was constructed as an addition to the original grocery store and gas station. Bathrooms were added to most cabins.

1955

Don and Viginia McLucas purchase The Oasis Cafe & Motel. It stayed in their family for three generations.

2019

A new chapter began and The Oasis passed hands to new owners who are dedicated to the preservation of its rich history.

After the railroad's completion, these cabins were skidded into place and became one of Oregon's oldest fishing camps.