Oasis Falafel celebrates 20th anniversary

20 years ago, Naftaly Stramer and Ofer Sivan came together to create what would eventually become an institution among Iowa City restaurants.  The duo and their staff and families celebrated Oasis Falafel’s milestone anniversary on Thursday afternoon, welcoming customers and fans of the brand to a ceremonial ribbon cutting outside the 206 N. Linn St. […]

20 years ago, Naftaly Stramer and Ofer Sivan came together to create what would eventually become an institution among Iowa City restaurants.  The duo and their staff and families celebrated Oasis Falafel’s milestone anniversary on Thursday afternoon, welcoming customers and fans of the brand to a ceremonial ribbon cutting outside the 206 N. Linn St. location.

After being introduced by Greater Iowa City ambassadors, Mr. Sivan took the mic to share the Oasis backstory and thank members of their staff, some of whom had worked there since day one.  “We never really imagined any of this,” Mr. Sivan said before the ribbon cutting. “So it's really special. Our success; it's not just our success. We didn't do it alone, and it wasn't one heroic act, but like years and decades of heroic acts and hard work and thoughtfulness and kindness.”  He noted over 55 years of combined service between all of Oasis’ longtime employees.  Though the store opened as a falafel food cart in 2004, Oasis Street Food has since expanded to become a full brand with products in stores like New Pioneer Co-Op, Hy-Vees around Iowa City, and now Costco. Earlier this year, the Mediterranean eatery won the CBJ’s 2024 Entrepreneurs of the Year award.   

“And now we're like an institution, which is kind of weird, like people live their lives with our products and in our restaurant,” Mr. Sivan said. “We've [catered] rehearsal dinners and weddings and funerals because it means something to people... right now, people have our food in their fridge, thousands of families, and they're making their lunch for their kids, the real lives are happening. So that's really special.”  Mr. Stramer also thanked the staff and those who attended the celebration, including Greater Iowa City for facilitating the ribbon cutting.  “We see this as a beginning of another 20 year period, hopefully successful,” Mr. Stramer said. “And so that's why I think the event is actually perfect for this time. So again, thanks to downtown and you, to all of you who came here.”