Ox Yoke Innterstate restaurant closes after 14 years of business

After 14 years of business on Interstate 80, the Leichsenring family has closed the Ox Yoke Innterstate restaurant.

A message posted on the Ox Yoke Inn website indicates that the Leichsenring family has been negotiating with a possible new owner, but no decisions have been made. The restaurant is located at Exit 225 on I-80.

The Leichsenring family continues to operate the original Ox Yoke Inn at 4420 220th Trail in Amana. The restaurant, located in what was a former Amana communal kitchen, will be celebrating its 74th year in business in 2014.

The Ox Yoke Innterstate was located on the same exit as the separately-owned and operated Wasserbahn Waterpark Resort. Located in the Clarion Inn, Wasserbahn was closed indefinitely this fall after the hotel's owner withdrew an appeal of a Johnson County Public Health closure order issued in June.

The Wasserbahn, with tube slides, a 160-gallon bucket dump, geysers and a floating log walk, was a popular destination for families.