Michigan’s Best Local Eats: Ogma’s Polish Fried Rice combines hibachi and Polish cuisine

JACKSON, MI – Ogma Brewing Co. touts itself as the best spot in Jackson to grab a great beer and some comfort food.

Andrew Volk owns the brewery with brothers Troy and Kevin Craft. They opened for business in 2021, but for the first few weeks, food wasn’t on the menu.

However, a range of items can now be found, including traditional favorites people would expect to find at a brewery and some unique options, Volk said. They try to also offer items that offer a different taste to what is downtown, he added.

“So, there’s definitely some like Asian fusion vibes going (on), but we bring in some crowd favorites,” Volk said.

The menu is constantly rotating but some popular items have found permanent spots. This includes the Braised Beed Nachos, Beef Dip Sandwich, the Spicy Salmon Bowl and The Snowbird, which comes with braised chicken breast, garlic mayo, organic arugula and raspberry jam on grilled ciabatta.

However, the Polish Fried Rice is a crowd favorite at Ogma Brewing Co. The warm dish is perfect for those looking for some comfort food while they enjoy a beer, Head Chef Thomas Cale. The idea came from a combination of his time working at a hibachi grill in Kalamazoo and a Polish deli in Jackson, he said.

“That’s probably about as fusion as it gets really, kind of combining traditional Polish food with some Japanese hibachi,” Cale said.

The dish is made of teriyaki fried rice, kielbasa, kapusta, over-medium egg, roasted corn, yellow onion, green onions and is topped with sesame seeds, Cale said.

The restaurant is also hoping to expand in 2023, Volk said. This includes extended hours, early closures in the winter and canning more of their beer, he added.

The biggest change they are looking forward to is the addition of a beer garden next door in the alley. Staff is working to clean it up, add fencing, picnic tables and more. An outdoor stage will also be added to host bands, he added.

“We’re just excited to have people be able to be out there enjoying the sun. It frees up some capacity issues inside,” Volk said. “It’s right in the thick of all the Bright Walls murals too, so it’s already a cool place to be visually.”

Ogma Brewing Co. is located at 129 E. Michigan Ave. The restaurant is open from noon to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and noon to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

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