December 22, 2025 – West Bend, Wi – The famous chicken dumpling soup was flowing along with the tears on Sunday, as Omicron Family Restaurant served a warm meal with a hug and a smile, one last time.
Owner Bill Tsiampas said he wanted to keep the end of an era… simple. “Tell everyone in the community, thanks for the support. Thanks to my wonderful, wonderful employees and everyone for treating us so well over the years. Thank you for everything!”
Below are well wishes from the community.
Deborah Packard Hoffmann
When my kids were little, this was one of the affordable restaurants I as a single mom could take them to that was not fast food junk. This was our favorite place. and before we would leave we always ordered a quart of chicken dumpling soup to take home with us. My children, since grown, and I moved out of the area, but for my birthday a couple years ago, they asked where I wanted to go…. I Said OMICRON of course. We all traveled from our distant towns to come and meet here and this time with my grandkids…. You are such a fond memory of my childrens childhoods. Thank you !!!!!
Barb Bluemel
We lived in West Bend 28 years. I worked at the local businesses and ate at your restaurant many times. Just laughed thinking about the smoking section on one side of the room!😆. Just sharing a story with my sister how we got up at the crack of dawn for Christmas shopping. After, we met up with co-workers at the Omicron for a delicious breakfast.Then off to work at Ziegler. We retired up north about 7 years ago but I am in town every couple of months. I see the changes and retain fond memories of West Bend. Your restaurant is one of them. Enjoy your retirement!
Nicole Krebs – Our family will never forget your chicken dumpling soup! Thank you
I’m going to miss this restaurant and the morning staff that have been there forever. The dumpling soup is the best.
Jake Schneider – The last good thing in West Bend
Juan Sanchez
I’ve been coming here since I moved to the area in 2013, growing up in Milwaukee in the mid 90’s I always loved the small family restaurants like this and as a adult bringing my own children here now for that “family feeling” I know myself and especially my children are going to miss this place. We’re running out of places like this.
Patti Hetzel – This is terrible 😞 we are so sad to see them go! So friendly and wonderful staff! ❤️
Barb Peterson – Wow, sad to see this long established restaurant go!
Greg Giessen – You will really be missed. Great food, spectacular breakfasts!!
Donna Robinson
You have the best omelettes and hashbrowns in Washington County Thank you for so many years of great food and service
Scott Thielmann – Great little breakfast place. Enjoy retirement.
Carol Bellin
You and your crew did a great job over all the years. Will miss your soups. And the other great foods. Thank you all and have a great retirement.
Janice Stein Vandehei
We had many family meals there since we moved up here 23 years ago. It was the last restaurant I enjoyed with my mom before she passed.(I will treasure the picture of her I took with all the pumpkins on the patio). We always picked up the chicken dumpling soup when someone was ill. Thank you for all of it! We will miss you!
Andrea Anne
Thank you for being a staple in our community all these years. Enjoy your well deserved retirement.
James Fellenz – End of a delicious era! So Sad! Jim& Jeanne! Happy Retirement, Bill !
Laurie Kraemer
Enjoy your retirement, Bill! We are going to miss you! Thank you for all the years of good food, good service, and your friendship!
Janet Szaniawski Genthe
Bill, you are the sweetest most generous man! So many memories for me remembering my mom and her love for your dumpling soup! That soup has healed many illnesses in my family, lol. You’ve always been so kind and generous to us. Many blessings to you in your retirement, you will be missed!
Stephanie Schweiger Jacak – Comfort food in a friendly place, many memories and meals shared here. ❤️
Cyndi Czebotar – Best soups!
Sue Treis – Noooo we love omicron, the owners and staff are just so wonderful. We will miss you thanks for the memories.
Randy Gindt – Always great food. It will be missed.
Sue Treu – So sad to hear you’re closing. Especially loved the chicken dumpling soup. 😋 And you were always so kind to give me extra soup if I came to buy some at the end of the day. ❤️
Janet Zautner Meisenheimer – Thank you,,,for all your tasty,meals,,,,,🎄💕⛄️💖👍💖👍
Scott Grinna
Thank you, team Omicron, for providing our family with a gathering spot for special times as well as ordinary times. Your far ranging menu of delights, comfortable space, and friendly staff made for many happy memories with our entire family. All of West Bend was lucky to have you. You will be missed. Wishing you all happy years in your next adventures.
Nancy Fiedler
Thank you for having Mason R on your team while he was in high school. Great family employer for him. All of the best in your retirement🎉
Wes Gaedtke – Happy retirement 😀
Jane Duquette
I was on their 3rd shift when they first opened. 4 of my nieces worked for him. Your community and friends will surely feel a loss.
Wayne Madore
Bill and staff! Thank you for all you have done over the years and the countless memories. You took such good care of Calvin and Lorraine and our family over the years from birthdays to our wedding reception. Our family will truly miss you all and your friendships. Thank you so so much again. Going to miss that delicious Chicken Dumpling soup that no one could make as good as you. Thank you and lots of love to all of you again, Wayne and Carol Madore
Kay Sargent Pena – The best chicken soup 🥲🥲🥲
Jeanne Becker – Congratulations 🎊🎈🎉
Linnea Bahr
We celebrated our first grandchild’s adoption there 16 years ago! Many other celebrations and meals-always excellent! Thank you. You will be missed
Janie Lang – I will miss this restaurant 😢
Sandy Stommel
Thank for the memories. Steve King (Doc) was my Administrator at Saylesville School in Rubicon and introduced me to Bill as we would get together for breakfast after Doc/ Steve retired. Always delicious plentiful breakfast. Going to miss Omicron…Good Luck in retirement.
Brent Maeder – Congrats and Thanks to Bill and everyone at Omicron!!
Rick Conti – Thank you been there many times,Happy retirement you will be missed 😁👍
Karen Dhein Erwin – Gonna miss this!!!
Adrienne Saindon – We will miss your restaurant very much.
Julie Schuldt – Your friendly atmosphere and great food will truly be missed may your future bring you healthy and happy new memories ❤️
Steve Malugalan – Never had anything but a good experience eating there. Going to miss it.
Karen Fettig – Good luck Bill.Thanks for all the great food and memories.The staff was so friendly.You will be missed.God bless
Bonnie Streese – Bill and staff we will miss you. ❤️❤️
Cheryl Jung Gottsacker
Thank you so much for your presence over the last 33 years. I’ve had the best breakfast there and your staff is always so friendly and helpful.
Jean Rieke
Happy Retirement Bill! Jack and the morning gang are going to miss their daily gab session with you! Enjoy the coming years doing fun things!
Lauri Schmitt
Bill – you’re one of a kind and brought such kindness and caring to our parents over many years and was a true friend to my dad. You’ve become one of our family and we will miss popping in to pick up soup and chatting with you. Enjoy a well deserved retirement and know that you’ve done such good in our community and are loved. ❤️
Denise Greenwald
Bill you had the best chicken and dumpling soup. Best of luck in your retirement
Martin Tackes
Great people and place loved going it will be missed, going one last time sunday and if u left there hungry it was your own falt.
Kim Knight-Staples
I’ve eaten corn beef hash 2 eggs OE and wheat toast in that building all the way back to Country Kitchen. Omicron’s was better though. I’ve lived out of state for years but every year when I’d come home, even if it was to go, I had to get my FIX! It’s a favorite place of my husband and son too! I’m really gonna miss it😢 End of an Era for sure
Janice Hebel
When my brother comes home from Cincinnati he goes to Omicron everyday for breakfast. He sure is going to miss this restaurant. Not many places like this one. He alway’s wears a bright yellow sweatshirt. Happy retirement
Katie Parchim
Thank you so much for all your hard and endless work! You did amazing!!!
Marje Sertich
Thank you for all the good breakfasts and meals through the years. Enjoy your retirement and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Paul Schmidt
As I sat for the last time in a booth eyes welling up with tears . All I can think of is thank you . Bill & the entire staff.
Jenn Luedke – Lynn Luedke, the 1st place we took Grady after he was born 😊 so Andy and I could eat
Jennifer Conrad
We have not eaten at a restaurant more than we have eaten at Omicron and for all good reasons. The staff got us through some tough times when we had babies that wouldn’t sleep through the night, power outages or had sick family members and needed a break so we made use of the drive up and pick up option. I can’t tell you how much you have fed our bodies and our souls. Thank you, and we will miss all of you and your kindness.
Jennifer Anne
Today I loaded up on my favorite Monte Cristos so I could freeze them to savor the flavor one half at a time. You will be missed. Thanks for the wonderful food.
Matthew J Pokey – Ill be visiting tomorrow for my last chop steak
Patti Weske
Dear Bill, Chris, and John,
Thank you for being not only our favorite place to stop for breakfast and lunch, but for treating my family like your own.
I will never forget the kindness you showed us after we lost our beautiful granddaughter Julia. She loved going to Omicron with her grandpa Werner, and during such a heartbreaking time, you quietly picked up the check for our entire family. That gesture meant more to us than you could ever know, and it will stay with me always.
May the good Lord watch over you and bless you for the kindness you share so freely.
P.S. Where am I ever going to find chicken dumpling soup like yours to make me feel better when I’m sick? With heartfelt thanks,
Patti ❤
Susie Graff
Great place for good food for so many years. Thank you and enjoy retirement
Jennifer Sanden
No where am I gonna get chicken dumpling soup this good
Suzanne Krystosek
You will be missed. My father spoke of this place before I moved here in 2005. His bowling & dartball teams would meet for lunch. Great family diner & food! Blessings to you all on your future journeys. Thank you for your friendly service. The bowls of fruit, omelets, and chicken dumpling soup were a few of our favorites. Be well. God Bless!
Sue Burns
Your chicken with dumplings soup will be missed! My family ate that when someone was sick.
Gloria Kohn
We’ll really miss Sunday morning omelettes and never ending cups of coffee after church, but we’ll especially miss the wonderful owners and outstanding staff! Thank you for great memories and Godspeed in your well deserved retirement and new jobs for all employees. This is a loss for WB and surrounding communities. ❤️
Cheryl-Sheri Hay
Thank you Bill for bringing a good restaurant into the community. You’re always so personable and giving and we’ve appreciated the wonderful food you provide! Your chicken dumpling soup is the absolute best! We’d loved that recipe and will truly miss that along with the wonderful breakfasts! The Reuben soup was so so good as well! Love this choice of soups which is so different than other restaurants serve. Wishing you the best in your retirement! You’ll be truly missed by my husband and myself along with the community!
Sandy Becker
Thank you to Bill and staff. I always received great service and great food! I will miss all of you!
Joan Stoffel – Bill, thank you from Herman and Janis Berndt! Good food and great conversation ♥️ Congratulations on your retirement!
Jean Kallenbach
You will be deeply missed, Bill and the Omicron team. Thank you for the good food, good service and great memories 💕
Janice Depies
Bill and staff Thanks for all the years you spent in West Bend serving all of our family.
Good luck in your retirement you deserve it.
Thinking back when you were young and my sister Joyce worked for your family in Milwaukee. You were just a young pup then. I remember she worked down there for 15 years. We came down there from some times. So wishing you the Best in the days ahead
Krista Kirst-Avey
Thank you Bill and staff for the last 12 years. That we have been going there for Saturday breakfast. Loved your stories and conversations. Thank you for everything. Even the Christmas cards every year. Going to miss you. Enjoy your retirement. ❤️
Alicia Krueger
Best to you and your family. Will miss your chicken dumpling soup!
Liz Knolle
You are the kindest & most wonderful restaurant owner ever! The food has been very good, & we loved the fact that Bill would come out of the kitchen & walk around the tables & talk to his customers. He is a gem & will truly be missed. Have a wonderful & relaxing retirement – you deserve that & so much more!
Lynn Wessel
Always enjoyed our time with Heidi Wessel & Bruce Zabel & family there… was a great meet-up point for us between MKE & FdL – great food & they were always great about us just sitting & catching up together 😋❤️❤️❤️
Charlotte Schwieger
Omicron Family, thank you for the years of great food but also the years of allowing me to work in such a great environment for so many years!!!
Jack Mueller
We will miss Bill and his great food. When we came up from Lake Geneva we always ate there and enjoyed talking with Bill.
Judy Gambino
You will be missed!🙏🎄🎅🥰
GIF may contain love, thank you, love you, so much and so so so much
Marilyn J. Wedemayer – Always enjoyed my meals at Omicron. Best of luck!
Steven Baier – Great memories, wonderful people.
Brad Kernats
Your food and friendly staff will be truly missed. Never had a bad meal in 27 years of living in WB. Enjoy your retirement
Michelle Truog Jacak
Omicron will be missed. Thanks for giving all of my kids their first job. Ate there yesterday for the last time and also dumpling soup to go.
Alyssa Nadzieja
The best chicken dumpling soup! Sure going to miss going here with my parents
Kathy Dricken – Loved the Gyro!!!
Shelley Robert Wilson
Thank you for being one of the best retaurants and thanks to all of your family/staff over the years! Enjoy your well deserved retirement! We enjoyed many breakfasts and your staff was always, always, friendly and helpful. It’s going to be a sad day tomorrow.
Carol Waters – Will definitely miss you and your wonderful staff. Love those soups.
Karen David Schaub
You will be missed your chicken soup was the best thanks for your wonderful years of service
Joseph Waters – So many great lunches and breakfasts withe Carol Waters
Jim Ramthun
Thank you!! We were the last people in the restaurant on a slow night. You came out and gave. Us 2 quarts of soup to take home. Thanks again. You will be missed.
Diane Czaplewski
Richest blessings on your new adventures. I will SO miss your healing chicken dumpling soup that made recovery a bit easier. ❤️
Monica Bohn – Thanks for 33 years of service
Krista Brown
My family has been going here for 20+ years, Bill and all his crew were amazing! Always friendly faces to greet you, Charlie and Lisa were 2 of our favorites as well. Omicron will always be a treasure of memories. Thank you for all the memories and all your years in business. We wish you a happy retirement!
Mary Ann Schacht – Thanks to Bill and the Omicron team for 33 years of service! 🙏
Barbara Patzen Mull
Thank you Bill and crew for making our dining fun. We sure will miss you
Nondy Francis
We will miss your patty melts. Thank you for all the wonderful food.
Janet Pfizenmaier
You and your staff meant alot to many people. We remember you when you were in Milwaukee, where we had many of your delicious meals.
Shannon Kleinke
Thank you for all the phenomenal Patty Melts (better than the McDonald’s Cheddar melt) and for the amazing staff and the delicious chicken dumpling soup! You’ll all be missed SO MUCH 🙏
Shelly Marie
I remember coming here when we moved to WB in 1995. I brought my childern then grandson. Great breakfast, loved the chicken dumpling soup. It was a go to when anyone was sick, had a baby or it was cold. Always friendly service, good prices and hot homemade style entrees. You will missed. Happy retirement!
Sheila Paulson Cernicka
Thanks to the Omicron team for the wonderful food and memories of lunches with my mom and husband and family and friends – and my favorite Monte Cristo 🥺
Thomas Fellenz
Every time I come up to West Bend I always go there every morning for Breakfast!! Love that place and going to miss it! 😩
Patrick Cox
It’s sad to see another legacy coming to an end!
Wishing Bill a happy retirement!
Matt Abhold
While I only ate there once a few years back on the way home during a road trip with my Mom, it was the best all the way around, both the service and quality of food. Good portions too. 🙂 Enjoy your retirement to the fullest.
Susan Maramonte-Gadbois – You will be missed. Loved your Chicken dumpling soup.
Tom Kinzel
Happy Retirement Bill! I am really going to miss that roast duck! Now I am going to go through duck withdrawal on Sundays! The stuffed shrimp were also a winner!
Gavin Salkeld
Paul and Zara, I thought you might want to leave your thoughts. Would love to read them if you so choose.
David Walker
Awesome restaurant. Best of luck to you. Enjoy your well earned retirement!
Darlene Walls
Wish you were staying. Good food, good portions, reasonable prices, good service, clean restaurant. What more could one want?
Doreen D. Atkielski
Noooo!!we loved that restaurant when we come home from TN.we will miss you…
Sue Chesak
Enjoy your much deserved retirement, Bill! We will miss you! Wishing you all the best in 2026 as you start a new chapter in your life! ❤
Sara Burton – Jayne Burton – Angie Tremain-Cassidy – Emma Stadel – Lori Spangrud Merrick ❤️ – Cheyenne Jenz – Josh Jenz 😥
Natalie Merkle – Their closing!?!? No!!!!
Lauren Crass – Bonnie Tepp – Christopher Witt – Steve Jungman – Brittany Lentz
Brian Lentz 🫠💔
Carrie Goebel – I don’t know what I’m gonna do when I’m sick! 🤒
Michelle Berray Grant – This makes me so sad 😭
Sueann Winkler Eichmann
Thanks for all of the years for the fantastic food and service at Omicron.
Jennifer Treis – Oh no Sue Treis
Darleen Koch – Thank-you for all the years of fine meals and friendly service and a great community meeting place. Your kindness and friendly faces will be missed. God’s Blessings Always.
Below is an article / video of the Omicron crew thanking their wonderful customers.
The restaurant and VisionWorks next door will be razed in January 2026 to make way for a Culver’s Restaurant.
December 20, 2025 – West Bend, Wi – The final orders are coming in at Omicron Family Restaurant in West Bend, Wi, and the team who served the community for over 33 years is reaching out to say ‘Thanks.’
Charlene Vacho has been working alongside owners Bill and John Tsiampas since 1999. “I’d just like to thank everyone for coming in for our food, our soup, and we’re really going to miss you and just want to thank you for our appreciation to us, we really enjoyed your company,” she said.
Charlie was part of the hum of the restaurant. Red lipstick, bright smile, smart-aleck remark when necessary. She’d get her 10,000 steps in most mornings before the average West Bender woke up.
“This place has been special to so many because it’s a family place,” she said. “People come and they know each other and that’s one of the big things I hear they’ll miss. And the bosses have been great; they’re good friends to people.”
That is except if the owner John started to get on Charlie’s nerves.
“Every time he aggravates me, I threaten to quit on him,” chided Charlie. That schtick went on for 26 years.
“We have two days left… I won’t be firing her today,” said John feeding into the good-natured ribbing.
Through it all the family at Omicron worked to keep its family of customers happy and well fed with bowls of their famous chicken dumpling soup, hot cups of coffee, BIG servings of whipped cream on top of strawberry waffles and plenty of fried potatoes.
Heather has been with Omicron the last five years. While some days have been hectic, she realized the Tsiampas brothers had built something special in West Bend.
“Thank you to the community,” said Heather. “It has always been all about family and it’s all in their heart to give back to the people. The customer service and doing little things like giving out fruit plates or desserts… it’s just a way to give back to the community.”
Brianna Schrank has worked in the kitchen and the front counter the past five years. “A very special thing about this place is Bill likes to open it to everybody and he likes to give away things,” she said.
While Schrank may not know her customers by name, she does know them by their order. “The crazy guys come in Sunday morning and they get a crazy omelette and one only gets egg whites and I know that whole order by heart,” she said.
“Bill knows a lot of people and he’s made this feel like home,” she said.
Billy Tsiampas, the owner’s grandson, got pulled into the family business nine years ago after football practice. “I had no idea what I was doing,” he said. “But it was a great experience. Everyone should work in a restaurant once.”
“What Bill has done to make this place what it is is he’s been nice to all the customers, getting to know them all, becoming friends and he’s given generous portions of food to everyone and it’s the family feeling.
“Thank you to everyone in the West Bend area and Washington County and for supporting our family for many years and making this place what it is,” said Billy.
Owner Bill, is closing up shop. He has many years of memories about making people happy. He did it through food – small dishes of fresh fruit to spoil a customer.
Sitting and chatting with people as they ate. Providing a welcome spot for customers who cared for their families and needed a little TLC themselves.
His key to success wasn’t a secret – people saw him do it on a daily basis, it’s just Bill followed through with kindness and a smile and a slice of angel cake… on the house.
Sunday, December 21, 2025, will be the last day for Omicron. It’s the end of an era for another hometown business as the restaurant is closing. The building and VisionWorks next door will be razed in January 2026 to make way for the franchise Culver’s.
Below is a story that ran in August 2025, announcing the closing of Omicron.
West Bend, Wi – Another local restaurant in West Bend, WI, has announced its closing. Over the past few months neighbors have witnessed Applebees closing, as well as Soup Corner, Riverside Brewery, and 1840 Brewery. Now comes word after 33 years in business Omicron Restaurant, 1505 S. Main St, West Bend, Wi is closing.
Owners Bill and John Tsiampas said it is time to retire.
It all started in 1992 when Bill and his brother John decided to take the leap and open their own restaurant. A nod to their Greek heritage and a deep-rooted work ethic would become the foundation of what Omicron is today.
The restaurant and Vision Works next door were included in the sale.
In 1992, Bill and John purchased the property for $200,000. The current assessed value is below.
The assessed value for Vision Works is below.
“This used to be Country Kitchen,” Bill said, casually sipping his coffee one morning at a booth along the south side of the restaurant. He pointed across the room toward the old entrance. “Back then, the entrance was over there, and next door was Payless Shoes. We remodeled and made the entrance off the parking lot.”
Bill, dressed in a comfortable grey sweater reminiscent of Mr. Rogers, has a calming, easy-going demeanor that puts everyone at ease. Whether he’s chatting with a customer or giving advice to his staff, he’s always keeping a watchful eye on the operation.
Bill’s story of working in the restaurant business dates back to when he was just 16 years old. Growing up in Milwaukee, he started his first job in a family restaurant on 60th and Fond du Lac.
“I was 16, working my tail off,” he said. “It was me and my brother George. We did everything, and we did it with pride.”
Fast forward to 1992, and Bill and John were ready to bring their experience to West Bend, a town they saw as ripe for growth. They took over a space on South Main Street, where Omicron would become a local landmark. Bill recalls the decision to move from Milwaukee: “We saw a future here. West Bend had a good vibe, and it wasn’t too far from the city.”
For the first few years, it was a small operation, with only a handful of employees. “At first, it was just me, John, and a couple of other folks,” Bill said. “But when we got busy, we needed more hands. At one point, we had up to 80 employees.”
Today, Omicron still prides itself on a family atmosphere, with Bill’s wife, children, and even grandchildren involved in the business. As the years have gone by, though, the restaurant has expanded, remodeled, and adapted to meet the needs of an ever-growing community. The space, which started with just a few tables and a modest kitchen, is now a bustling hub where families come to enjoy a meal, often running into neighbors they haven’t seen in a while.
But it’s not just the food that keeps people coming back—it’s the culture. Bill, now 72, believes in the importance of knowing his customers by name. “I greet everyone when they come in, and I make sure my staff does the same,” he said. “It’s about making people feel welcome. If you’re not friendly, what’s the point?”
Omicron has earned a reputation for its generous portions. In fact, one of the first things Bill learned in the restaurant business was the importance of filling up customers. “You don’t want to send anyone home hungry. That’s our job—make sure the food is fresh, the portions are big, and everyone leaves satisfied.”
Whether you’re ordering a classic breakfast, a hearty sandwich, or a Greek specialty like spanakopita, you’ll find yourself with a plate full of comfort.
Of course, running a restaurant for over three decades hasn’t been without its challenges. The rise of corporate chains, the advent of food delivery apps has tested the Tsiampas family’s resilience. But Bill’s philosophy has always been to stay focused on quality and service, no matter what.
Omicron’s loyal customer base has kept the kitchen busy. “Our customers support us, and we’re grateful for that.”
Even though Omicron has weathered its fair share of storms, Bill is optimistic about the future. He’s slowly cut back his hours, letting his team take the reins while he enjoys more time with family. But he’s still in the restaurant almost every day, checking in, offering advice, and making sure everything runs smoothly.
And what’s the secret behind the name Omicron? “It’s Greek,” Bill said. “It comes from the Greek alphabet, and we liked the sound of it. It means a small ‘o,’ a small circle, and that’s how we see ourselves—a small, welcoming place for everyone to gather.”
In a world where trends come and go, Omicron Restaurant remains a West Bend fixture because of the Tsiampas family’s dedication to quality, community, and, of course, good food. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, Bill and his team are always ready to make you feel like part of the family.
Early word is Culver’s is looking at opening a second store on S. Main Street. The location on W. Washington Street features a double drive thru.
More information will be posted when details are available.
