Rustlers duo to ride off and away

It will be the end of an era for the popular Rustler Steakhous this Sunday when owners Dean and Tammi Oorschot pass the restaurant’s baton to its new owners.

The owners of the Albany institution are set to take a “mid-life gap year” after 17 years running the award-winning steakhouse and they said it was pleasing to see the business sold to a familiar face in chef Les Palmer and his wife Susie.

Mrs Oorschot said despite the change of hands it would be business as usual and they were pleased to pass Rustlers over to Mr Palmer who had been part of the restaurant’s growth in the last 11 years.

She said they had only planned to be in the industry a decade.

“This has been our life here, this restaurant, it has been a 17-year dedication,” Mrs Oorschot said.

“It will be quite sad to let go, it’s like a child that we have raised and now it’s a teenager.”

A new era for the Rustlers brand began in 2010 when the couple opened the doors to the current venue on Stirling Terrace after 18 months of renovations which turned the former gym into a 200-seat restaurant.

The Oorschots said they had fond memories of their beginnings on Frederick Street in 1999.

“There have been lots of highlights, taking our first business which was a little country steakhouse to what it is today, seating 220 people,” Mr Oorschot said.

“We built our foundation and reputation there and the locals have really supported us. Without them we wouldn’t have had that.”

Mr Oorschot said while restaurant awards meant you were recognised by your peers, continuing local support for almost two decades was just as satisfying and he thanked the Albany community.

The avid motorbike enthusiasts said they were undecided on their future but for the short term would enjoy a month motorbike-riding on the east coast.

“This will be our first New Year’s off in 20 years ... all those weekends working it’s about time we had a weekend off,” Mrs Oorschot said.