LA GRANDE — Bud Jackson’s, a La Grande restaurant now under new ownership, is undergoing subtle and not-so-subtle changes.

The biggest may have a big impact on how some residents start their mornings. Now known as Bud Jackson’s Eatery and Taps, the business started serving breakfast Monday, offering a menu featuring chicken-fried steak and eggs Benedict.

“We needed another restaurant that serves breakfast after the truck stop closed,” said Ron Bruce, the new owner of Bud Jackson’s, referring to the closure of the Flying J Travel Plaza’s restaurant in the fall.

The closure, he said, left just four La Grande area restaurants serving breakfast.

Bruce said he feels fortunate to be taking the reins of a restaurant that has a loyal clientele, and to have inherited a staff that is second to none.

“The staff we have is our best feature. They are amazing. You are only as good as your employees,” he said.

Bruce’s staff is helping him not only add breakfast but also serve up new entrees for those keeping an extra eye on their health. The menus now includes organic steaks from grass-fed beef and in the near future he plans to add gluten-free products.

“We want to give people more healthy menu options. A lot of people are on a health kick,” Bruce said. “We want to cater to their needs.”

Meals at Bud Jackson’s are prepared quickly but not at the expense of taste.

“We don’t cook fast food. We cook fresh food as fast as we can,” Bruce said.

The new owner also is striving to emphasize that Bud Jackson’s is a family-friendly establishment.

“This is not a bar with a restaurant,” he said. “We are a restaurant with a really nice bar.”

The restaurant will continue to focus on community events, including programs such as youth sports. Photos highlighting the success of local youth athletic teams fill the place.

“We are a huge supporter of the town. We want to support all local youths,” Bruce said.

Bud Jackson’s was previously named Bud Jackson’s Sportsman’s Bar and Grill. The sports memorabilia and big screen televisions showing an array of athletic contests remain in place. Still, the new owner wants everyone to feel welcome there, not just those interested in football, basketball and baseball.

“Everyone in Eastern Oregon is a sportsman,” he said, explaining he considers those who like hiking and fishing as sportsmen also.

Bruce, whose previous experience includes years of managing food service operations at the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show, bought Bud Jackson’s from Victor “Bud” and Brenda Ashcraft, who owned the restaurant for more than a decade. Victor Ashcraft is known to many as Bud Jackson. Bruce said he is good friends with the Ashcrafts.

A longtime Union County resident, Bruce is enjoying his first stint as a restaurant owner because he loves people and likes cooking, which he has done all of his life after learning from his mother.

“Cooking is an art,” Bruce said, “and I like people who like good art.”