It has been three months since the untimely passing of his son Rob Saxton. But as Mitchell Saxton looks over the crowd gathered to welcome Yazoo’s newest business, “Rob’s Steakhouse,” he knows Rob is looking down, smiling.
“I know Rob is watching us,” Mitch said, with tears filling in his eyes.
One could hardly find a parking spot during last week’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for Rob’s Steakhouse on Highway 49 at the former Yazoo Butane building. What began as dream for Rob has transformed into reality with a fully renovated steakhouse and bar, complete with the dining room grill that seems to be the Saxton family signature.
“When I am cooking behind that grill, I am thinking of Rob,” Mitch said.
Mitch and his family owned and operated Ribeyes Steakhouse for over two decades. His son Rob joined the family business and could often be found behind the grill, perfecting the steaks that Yazoo grew to love. Rob eventually became known as “The Steak Man.”
After selling the restaurant and retiring, Mitch left the operation to spend his days traveling and enjoying the next chapter of his life. Rob remained at Ribeyes for a time before he decided he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and open his own restaurant.
“After I retired, he always said he wanted his own little place, more downsized,” Mitch said. “That was his dream. Rob was a great cook, and he loved to cook.”
When the former Yazoo Butane building on Highway 49 became available, Rob went to work to make his dream a reality.
“This building was in bad shape,” Mitch said. “It had been sitting here empty for about 25 years, doing nothing. But the location was perfect. He had big plans. He was working on it little at a time. He had been working on this place for several months. He was just so ready to have his own place.”
Tragically, Rob passed away last July in a vehicle accident at 48 years old.
“I can’t hardly talk about it because I get too emotional,” Mitch said. “I still miss Rob. It is very emotional just sitting here. I didn’t really enjoy retirement. I was going to help Rob anyway. When it happened…it tore me up.”
Mitch immediately went to work with Rob’s wife, Lesley, to finish his dream. For several weeks, renovations were made to the building. A comfortable dining room with memories of Rob adorning the walls emerged. The signature Saxton grill is centered within the dining room. A former warehouse transformed into a rustic bar with the perfect atmosphere for live music.
Rob’s Steakhouse was born. Rob’s dream was complete.
And Mitch returns to the business, swearing off retirement.
“I miss the people,” he said. “I am just geared the wrong way. The Saxtons are not geared that way. We are workers.”
“We have created an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable,” he added. “We want it to feel like you are at your grandmother’s house. I tell my children, make people comfortable. Get out of the kitchen and go talk to them. You have to show people you appreciate them.”
And as the ribbon was cut last week and visitors poured into the restaurant to support the Saxton family and Yazoo’s newest business, Mitch said he knew everything was going to be fine.
“I teach all my children and grandchildren, put your name on it and do it better than anybody else,” Mitch said. “Take pride in what you are doing.”
And with Rob’s name on the sign outside, the community remembers that he did it better than anybody else.
