After 42-years of ownership by the Key family, The Mason Jar Restaurant in Umatilla is under new ownership. An employee confirmed that owners Glen and Byron Key, and their sister Keri Carter, have sold the restaurant to a new owner. The restaurant has been a family owned establishment from the beginning, calling the exact same spot home since their mom, Latrell Key, with help from her sister Paula and her Aunt Lou, first opened in Dona Vista more than 42 years ago.

(The Mason Jar has been serving up hometown meals for over 41-years. Glen Key shows off some of the many dishes offered.)

Upon walking into The Mason Jar, you may have noticed some unique features: door handles made from rifles, country/barn décor featuring wagon wheels and sunflowers, a stuffed black bear near the entrance, a sign reminding all to “Eat like no one is watching,” old black-and-white framed family photos on the walls of the waiting area, and more. 

Most of all, the smells coming from the kitchen may remind guests of their own mothers’ southern kitchens. Days when things like bacon and eggs, meatloaf, chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy, liver and onions, fried chicken, beans and rice, shepherd’s pie, biscuits, corn muffins, chicken and dumplings, and spaghetti were staples. 

(As far as a southern home cooked meal it does not get much better than Mason Jar. It’s like being transported back in time to the Key’s family kitchen.)

The restaurant is known for its big portion sizes and just a hometown feel to it. While we do not have any information regarding the new owners, this is a developing story and we will provide more info when we have it.

In an article posted last year in Style Magazine, Glen said – “The type of food we serve here is based on good old homecooked meals. We use a lot of my mother’s and grandmother’s recipes and everything we serve are things we would’ve been served for dinner back in the day,” he adds, explaining that along with traditional southern-style meals, The Mason Jar kitchen produces favorites like burgers, sandwiches, salads, and more.”

There are pictures and items from the family that tell the 41-year history of the restaurant inside. The place is one of the most popular restaurants in Lake County for a reason – its charm and good food. It has kept people coming back for over 42 years and we hope that continues with the new owners.