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 too good a deal to pass up — even if it meant waiting more than half a century to apply.

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

Inside the restaurant, the walls were covered in dozens of strange symbols. But one caught them in particular: “Free oysters for any 80-year-old man accompanied by his father.”

“We kept asking, ‘Was this sign real?’ and they said yes,” said Jimmy As It Happened hosted by Nil Köksal. “We said, ‘Has anyone done it?’ And they said no.”

It was then that the Rush family began to form a plan to become the first son-son couple to claim this claim.

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 for a treat.

“A lot of people read that sign behind the bar and laugh,” reads Feb. 23 Posted on Facebook on the Wintzell’s Oyster House page. “But tonight, Jimmy Rush entered his 80th birthday with his father, James Rush, 99, by his side, and turned Witzell’s unusual tradition into a real-life milestone.”

“The Rush family has been part of this area for years, and they did not come alone,” the newspaper continued. “A room full of friends, shared memories – and yes, oysters on the house, as promised by our founder.”

Oliver Wintzell, who founded the restaurant in 1938, probably never thought anyone would take him over, said current owner Bob Omainsky. Walls have long been decorated with funny and thought-provoking signs, and this time, the message was intended as a joke.

“You have to remember, this was a long time ago, and now people live for a while,” Omainsky said. “[Oliver] maybe he thought it was something his restaurant wouldn’t have to fill, but I can tell you, we wouldn’t be too happy to be the ones to do it … the Rushes are great people.”

Omainsky says that in the years leading up to Jimmy’s 80th birthday, he and his father would occasionally call the restaurant to make sure the promotion was still running.

After he finally claimed the gift, the family celebrated with a birthday party at a restaurant.

“We had about 60 people at his birthday party, which was the biggest party we’ve ever had,” Jim said.

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

“Yes, of course. We’ve been back three times and we’ve gotten free oysters.”

Jimmy says that the restaurant has promised that as long as he is 80 years old and will go with his father, the request still stands. This is good news for Jim, who credits rich seafood for keeping him healthy at age 99.

“I have only been sick twice in my life, once when I was five and once when I was 97,” said Jim who will turn 100 in July. “I can’t see, but I can hear fine, and that’s about it – and I’m not taking any medication at all.”

If all goes well, Omainsky says the Rush family may be able to repeat this time next year. Jim has another son who will turn 80 in the fall of 2027, he says.

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