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ASHLAND -- First opening its doors in 1995, Rajah's Family Restaurant is a small diner that, despite its exotic name, specializes in serving American food in an old-fashioned way.

The restaurant was started by Ron Elliott and was given its name because of Elliott's position in the Oriental Band at the El Hasa Shrine club. Photos and memorabilia from Elliott's past with the Shriners can be found along the restaurant's walls. Today, the restaurant is mostly run by Elliott's son John and his wife Judy. The Hindi name and the Aladdin-inspired wall art (painted by local artist Chuck Wheeler) has caused some confusion in the past.

"The menu is made up of things that I made at home for all these years," said Judy Elliot. "Ronnie always thought we should open a restaurant, and we did. We had Chuck Wheeler come in and do the art along the walls, and I had the camels and Indian-style decorations special ordered. We're fried potatoes, corn bread and brown beans. All of that good stuff. Just country cooking."

Ron Elliot said most people are beginning to understand.

"We've had people drop in and think we were serving curry or something," he said. "In hindsight, we probably should have called the restaurant Ron's or Judy's. The first five years we spent a small fortune on advertising. Locals knew who we were, but people in the surrounding area didn't. People now know what we are, but it took a while."

The Elliots take pride in the fact that all of their food is made from scratch the old-fashioned way.

"We pat out hamburgers fresh everyday," Ron Elliot said. "Most places you go you're eating frozen meat. We sell a lot of liver and onions. People don't fix that at home, and it's something that not a lot of people make period. We cut, bread and fry our onion rings ourselves. We also sell a lot of beans and cornbread and a lot of salmon patties. It's stuff that no one else has."

The restaurant starts each day with breakfast, with most items available for under $5. Specialties include two biscuits and sausage gravy ($2.75) and a platter featuring two eggs with a choice of bacon or sausage and bread for $4.80.

Lunch options include the Rajah's B.L.T. for $3.55 and the chicken salad sandwich for $4.25. The house specialty is the Rajah Burger topped with grilled onions and peppers with Swiss cheese. A Rajah Burger Jr. goes for $3.55 while a large Raja Burger is available with fries for $6.55.

Dinner items include chopped steak served with a vegetable side item, salad and bread for $7.57. Another entree is liver and onions for $6.95. A country favorite is the open-faced roast beef for $6.25; the sandwich is also available on a platter for $8.20 served with mashed potatoes, green beans and cole slaw.

Desserts such as blackberry cobbler ($2.50) and coconut cream pie ($2.45) are available every day. Customers also can order whole pies and cobblers if they call two days in advance.

Rajah's Family Restaurant is located at 8130 U.S. 60 West in Ashland across the street from the Marathon Station. Cash and Visa/Master card payments are approved. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

To place a carry out order or for more information, call 606-928-3382.

Paul Sebert/For The Herald-Dispatch

Rajah's Family Restaurant serves traditional American cuisine and is located at 8130 Rt. 60 West in Ashland, Ky.

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Paul Sebert/For The Herald-Dispatch

Rajah's Family Restaurant serves traditional American cuisine and is located at 8130 Rt. 60 West in Ashland, Ky.

Purchase this photo

Paul Sebert/For The Herald-Dispatch

Rajah's Family Restaurant serves traditional American cuisine and is located at 8130 Rt. 60 West in Ashland, Ky. This mural inside the restaurant was painted by local artist Chuck Wheeler.

Purchase this photo