Daughter, Owner of Chicago’s Oldest Black-Owned Restaurant Celebrates 50 Years Since Her Dad Opened It

St. Rest Country Kitchen, a beloved Black-owned soul food restaurant on Chicago’s South Side, is celebrating 50 years in business. Founded in 1972, the family restaurant is now owned by Daniella Coffey who continues the legacy of her late father and founder Rev. Larry Hopkins.

In 2021, Coffey and her husband, John, took the reins from her father. At the time, the restaurant faced a major financial hurdle with $600,000 in debt and the looming threat of foreclosure. Sadly, her father passed away just two months later.

“Great customer service, sanitation, and great food. Those are our pillars here and of course faith,” Coffey, who also serves as the head chef, told Fox 32 Chicago.

Her mother Sophia Hopkins, who is now 77 years old, still works as the restaurant’s lead waitress. She is responsible for making everyone feel at home, apart from belting out her Southern tunes.

For 5 decades, St. Rest Country Kitchen has been serving soul food classics like turkey legs, short ribs, smothered pork chops, cabbage, black-eyed peas, succotash, and candied yams. Their menu certainly boasts comfort food that satisfies every patron, including NBA legend Michael Jordan who dined there.

Learn more about the restaurant at its official web site at StRest2Country sure to follow Daniella and her family’s restaurant on Instagram @Daniella_Coffey

Also, you can support the business by visiting its location at 727 E 87th St, Chicago, IL 60619.