Father, 99, and son, 80, feast on free oysters after cashing in on decades-old restaurant promise

For Jimmy Rush, 80, and his father, Jim Rush, 99, it was a delectable deal too good to pass up — even if it meant waiting more than half a century to claim. 

Since 1972, Jimmy, his younger brother, and their dad, would dine at Wintzell’s Oyster House in downtown Mobile, Ala., after Mardi Gras festivities — a tradition that continued even after the family moved to Florida.

Inside the restaurant, the walls were covered with dozens of quirky signs. But one in particular caught their attention: “Free oysters to any man 80 years old accompanied by his father.”

“We kept asking, ‘Was this sign for real?’ and they said yes,” Jimmy told As It Happens host Nil Köksal. “We said, ‘Has anybody ever done it?’ And they said no.”

That was when the Rush family began to hatch a plan to become the first father-and-son pair to claim the offer.

It required patience, and a willingness to play the long (long) game. But 54 years later, on Jimmy’s 80th birthday last month, he and his father finally walked into Wintzell’s Oyster House to feast.

“Most people read that sign behind the bar and laugh,” read a Feb. 23 Facebook post on Wintzell’s Oyster House’s page. “But tonight, Jimmy Rush walked in on his 80th birthday with his father, James Rush, 99, right beside him, and turned one of Witzell’s rarest traditions into a real-life milestone.”

“The Rush family has been part of this place for years, and they didn’t come alone,” the post continued. “A full room of friends, shared memories — and yes, oysters on the house, true to our founder’s promise.”

Oliver Wintzell, who founded the restaurant in 1938, likely never imagined someone would actually take him up on the offer, said current owner Bob Omainsky. The walls have long been decorated with humorous and thought-provoking signs, and in this case, the message was intended as a joke.

“You got to remember, this is a long time ago, and now people are living a little bit longer,” said Omainsky. “[Oliver] probably thought it was something that his restaurant would never be required to fulfill, but I can tell you, we couldn’t be happier to be the ones to do it … the Rush’s are great people.”

Omainsky says throughout the years leading up to Jimmy’s 80th birthday, he and his father called the restaurant occasionally to make sure the promotion was still valid.

After finally claiming the offer, the family celebrated with a birthday bash at the restaurant.

“We had around 60 people there for his birthday party, which was the greatest party we’ve ever had,” said Jim.

And if you’re wondering whether oysters taste better when they’re free, Jimmy says the answer is obvious.

“Yes of course. We’ve been back three times and have had free oysters.”

Jimmy says the restaurant has promised that as long as he is 80 and he brings his father along, the offer still stands. That’s good news for Jim, who credits a diet rich in seafood for keeping him healthy at 99.

“I’ve only been sick twice in my life, once when I was five and once when I was 97,” said Jim who will turn 100 years old in July. “I don’t see, but I hear fairly well, and that’s about it — and I don’t take any medications at all.”

If all goes well, Omainsky says the Rush family might get to repeat the moment next year. Jim has another son who will turn 80 in the fall of 2027, he says.

“So we’re really looking forward to having Mr. Rush to be able to celebrate this twice,” said Omainsky.