By Staff
NEW PROPRIETOR – Steve Stewart is the new owner of the former D.T. Grinder's Restaurant on 24th Avenue in Meridian. Stewart has renamed it Midtown Grille and will host a Shrimp Fest on Saturday in advance of the pub's opening Oct. 15. The downstairs dinning room is set to open at the end of the month. Photo by Penny Randall/The Meridian Star
By Penny Randall / staff writer
Oct. 8, 2003
The yellow house on the hill is now Midtown Grille. The former home of D.T. Grinder's Restaurant and Pub has a new owner, a new name and a new look.
Stewart has been working in the insurance business in Meridian with Aycock and Stewart Insurance Agency since 1999 and said this is his first venture into the restaurant business.
D.T. Grinder's closed in November 2002. Stewart purchased the building and started renovating the interior and exterior in May.
Shrimp Fest
On Saturday, Stewart will host a open house and Shrimp Fest to introduce the public to the Midtown Grille.
Live entertainment will also be a part of the Shrimp Fest which begins at 11 a.m. The Will Barrett Band of Memphis will perform along with several local artists.
In addition to the outdoor Shrimp Fest, the upstairs pub will be open. The downstairs restaurant will open closer to the end of October.
Name change
Stewart said he went back and forth on whether to change the restaurant's name.
How did he come up Midtown Grille?
The house at 1600 24th Ave. was built in the early 1900s and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Stewart said he is getting help from his family. His father, Joe Stewart, has overseen the renovations and his mother, Lynn, is doing the decorating. Stewart said his wife, Kimberly, and sons, Steven Jr. and Brett, are giving him the encouragement he needs.
Stewart said the menu will be similar to the D.T. Grinder's menu.
Good employees
Heading up Stewart's staff are two former D.T. Grinder's employees. Serrena Osby will manage the kitchen staff and Paul Dover will oversee bar operations.
One of the new specialities will be Chicago-style steak. Chicken, fish and pasta will also highlight the menu.
Stewart said the restaurant will appeal to all types of ages.