Didn't start home, allowed a group to come back for the dishes (9)

I believe the answer is:

omelettes

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'the dishes' is the definition.
(omelette is a kind of dish)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for omelettes that I've seen before include "Dishes made with beaten eggs" , "They can't be made without breaking eggs" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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