Portico Jackson
December 2013
It’s rare that a restaurant stands the test of time for almost a quarter of a century. Founded in 1989, Kathryn’s Steakhouse has seen generations of hungry metro-area patrons pass through its doors. Every time they come back, they know they’ll get the same quality food and the same level of service.
Kathryn’s was founded in 1979 under the name Brandi’s Steakhouse. In 1989, the restaurant moved to its current location and reopened under the name Kathryn’s, after the founder’s daughter. Current owner Kerry Brashear worked under the original owner during the early days of his carrer in the food industry. However, at the young age of 26, Brashear found himself the owner of his own restaurant when he purchased Kathryn’s in 1991.
Brashear attributes several factors to his continued success. Most importantly, is the food. Many of the original steakhouse recipes and cooking techniques first developed by longtime chef George Philips back in 1979 are still served today. Phillips passed away in 2000, and the restaurant’s Redfish by George is named in his honor. Kathryn’s is one of the few restaurants in the area to serve prime rib, along with filets, New York strips, and rib eyes.
It was Brashear’s decision to add seafood to the menu. In addition to redfish, the selection includes shrimp, scallops, halibut, and yellowfin tuna, which won best entrée at Taste of Mississippi in 2012 and 1st place at Blues by Starlight for the last two years. The restaurant’s kitchen was recently remodeled, doubling its size and allowing Brashear to add even more variety to the menu.
Second, Brashear keeps the menu affordable from food to the wine list. The restaurant has specials every night of the week, including the $15 prime rib entrée on Sunday, which has become a big hit with the after church crowd.
“I want someone to be able to afford to come in, have a good meal, a glass of wine, and have a good time,” Brashear explains. “You get a better value for your money when you eat here.”
Third, the restaurant features live entertainment seven nights a week. Brashear tries to appeal to everyone, so he has featured everything from one-piece solo acts to five-piece bands. He also renovated his bar area to incorporate several flat panel televisions and created a bar and grill menu for patrons who want to grab a bite to eat while watching the game.
Among some of Kathryn’s more popular steakhouse dishes include their green gradoo spinach casserole, Chef Phillips original bleu cheese dressing, broiled tomatoes with cheese, and potatoes au gratin. As for popular entrees, Brashear says it’s a tie between the filet and the award-winning yellowfin tuna.
Because they have been such a mainstay in the community, Brashear has taken strides to support several local charities. They frequently participate in events such as Taste of Mississippi, benefiting Stewpot Community Services, and Battle of the Bartenders, which supports The Mississippi Burn Foundation.
“I like to be involved in the community and support charities that keep the money here in our own backyard,” he says.
Over the last two decades, Brashear has watched as his restaurant has grown from steakhouse into the popular bar and grill it has become today. While other eateries come and go, he is confident that Kathryn’s will still be around for the next generation of foodies.
“Our food is better than most, and that is why we have stayed in business for 22 years,” he adds. “We have something for everybody, whether its steaks, burgers, soup or salad. People like our staff, so we have a lot of regulars. We are kind of like the local hangout for this area. Once people come, they are likely to come back because they had a good meal and a good time.”
Lisa L. Bynum - Writer + Blogger + Virtual Assistant 