A Small Business Success Story: Jay Dee’z

In this monthly series, local realtor Andrea Schutter Riebeling does a Q & A with local business people about what inspires them. This month’s interview is with John Daniel Tohill of Jay Dee’z Sports Grill in La Grange.

1.) What is your business? “ Jay Dee’z Sports Grill, not to be confused with a sports bar. We are a family restaurant.”

2.) How did you get started? “My wife, Amanda, and I got started in March 2019 when an opportunity arose to open a restaurant. Little did we know, there was an amazing journey ahead of us. Having never owned a restaurant before, we learned how to triumph through adversity. Our first year open, COVID hit and we had to navigate through things we had never experienced before. We adapted to the challenges that we faced and kept a positive outlook for the future. Failure was not an option for us and in the end, we came out successful.”

3.) How long have you been in business? “We have been in business for almost six years.”

4.) Is this a family or one person business? “This is a family business. My wife and I work together to share our love of food and hospitality with our wonderful community. The majority of our hardworking staff have worked with us for so long that we also consider them to be part of our family.”

5.) What kind of service do you provide? “We are a restaurant that serves our community twelve hours a day, seven days a week.”

6.) Tell me something unique about your business?

“All of our food is scratch made, our craft cocktails are made with fresh juices and fresh ingredients, and we also have over 60 TVs to catch any game you want to see.”

7.) What is your background?

“I began my journey in the restaurant industry at the age of 16 years old. At 22, I decided to pursue a degree in the culinary arts after realizing my passion for cooking. Later, I graduated from Le Cordon Bleu’s Texas Culinary Academy in Austin, Texas in 2005 where I excelled in French and Modern American cuisine. I learned the rest from my Mom, Juanita. After graduating, I began cooking in kitchens from Scottsdale, Arizona to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and even in the British West Indies where I studied under the best Chefs in the business. My dream was always to open up a restaurant of my own where I could share my passion and love of food with family, friends, and neighbors. My wife has been in the bar and restaurant industry for 20 years. Her knowledge of day to day operations is exceptional. She has been my biggest support and advocate in this endeavor.

8.) What do you suggest to others who want to venture out and take a leap of action in the future of their career?

“Do it. Be open minded and coachable. Allow doors to open for you and don’t take no for an answer.”

9.) Do you believe in college, trade school, or any training?

“I definitely believe in educating yourself. In cooking, the culinary school I attended helped me to master my skills and take my talents to the next level. If you are passionate about something, learn everything there is to know about it. Culinary school helped to build my skill set and make me the confident Chef I am today.”

10.) How did you decide to make Fayette County your home?

“ My wife and I were looking for a place where we could plant roots and build our lives together. We lived in Katy before moving to La Grange in 2017 and never quite felt at home there. Since moving to La Grange, we have felt a happiness and calmness that we were always seeking. Life slowed down and we were finally able to enjoy the beauty around us. It was like God placed us exactly where we needed to be. This community has been the best part of our time here. We love our neighbors and we get to see them all the time making memories with each other at our restaurant. For us, nothing is more fulfilling than that.”