On Chicago’s South Side, the well-known black-owned soul food restaurant St. Rest Country Kitchen is commemorating its 50th year in operation. The family business, which was started by Rev. Larry Hopkins in 1972, is currently held by Daniella Coffey, carrying on her late father’s heritage.
Coffey and her husband, John, took over from her father in 2021. The restaurant was severely disadvantaged due to its $600,000 in debt and impending foreclosure. Tragically, her father died two months later.
The family beat the odds within a year, wiping off the debt and restructuring the company. They are now seeing ongoing success.
Excellent cuisine, sanitation, and customer service. According to Coffey, who is also the executive chef, as quoted by Fox 32 Chicago, these are our guiding principles here, along with religion.
Sophia Hopkins, her mother, who is currently 77 years old, is still employed as the head waiter. Besides singing her favorite Southern songs loudly, she is in charge of making everyone feel at home.
Soul cuisine staples, including turkey legs, short ribs, smothered pork chops, cabbage, black-eyed peas, succotash, and candied yams, have been available at St. Rest Country Kitchen for five decades.
Everyone who visits the restaurant, including NBA great Michael Jordan, is satisfied by the comfort cuisine on the menu.
