For over two decades, Ribeyes Steakhouse has been known for its top-quality meat selections, jumbo shrimp, friendly service and exciting weekend entertainment. But there is another element that seemed to go hand in hand with the popular local restaurant.
“I can’t get rid of it,” said former owner Mitchell Saxton, holding up his signature white rag cloth. “I still carry it around with me.”
Saxton has been the face of Ribeyes, along with his dedicated staff, for over 20 years. What began as a self-proclaimed gamble in the restaurant business transformed into a booming success for the Yazoo County native.
But now Saxton begins his next chapter…retirement.
“At the end of the day, I want to look back and express how grateful I am for the support from Yazoo City, Yazoo County and surrounding counties,” Saxton said. “I am so grateful and appreciative for people sticking with me and supporting me.”
The idea of retirement came to Saxton about three years ago when Jay and Missy Shackelford invested into Ribeyes Steakhouse.
“The Shackelfords bought an interest, and I knew that I intended to retire within a few years,” Saxton said. “They are good, solid people. And if I was going to sell the business, I wanted them to buy it. I did not want what I had built over the last 23 years go down. I knew they would carry it on and make it even better. I feel good moving forward with them.”
And as he watches some of the latest renovations projects begin at his former eatery, Saxton said he is reminded of when he first purchased the place from Mrs. Macel Simmons, who owned the former Four Points Restaurant.
“Mrs. Simmons had attempted to lease her place out to a few people, and it never seemed to work out,” Saxton said. “When I approached her about buying the place, she was like how I am now. She wanted to see it go to the right person. Then she told me, ‘I know your last name, and you were raised to work. Your family is not made of quitters. You are going to make it because you will work and never quit.’”
It was advice Saxton said he took to heart.
“She came in and had a bite to eat with me about three years after that,” he said. “She told me that she was proud of what I had done with the place. I will always remember her telling me how proud she was of me, and that will remain with me forever. I truly loved and appreciated Mrs. Simmons.”
And those kind words were just the beginning of some of the other lessons Mrs. Simmons taught Saxton, as he blazed his own path in the restaurant world.
“When she had Four Points, my brother Ricky and I would stop in and get a burger while we were working,” he said. “I saw how good she was with her customers. That was how I built my business. She taught me a lot. I can’t thank her enough for all her input. She taught me how to be a success in the restaurant business. I just can’t say enough good things about her.”
And Saxton’s son, Rob, will remain behind the grill of Ribeyes Steakhouse.
“I am happy to be passing the cooking duties down to Rob,” Saxton said, with a smile. “Rob always took a lot of pressure off me so that I could visit with the customers. Even though he thinks he is a better cook than me, he’s not.”
Saxton said his employees have blessed him with a successful operation during his two decades of service. In fact, they were a part of his success.
“I have been blessed with my employees over the years,” he said. “Nancy Stephens stuck by my side since the very beginning. She was the first person I hired, and she stayed with me until the very last day, which was April 1. She was so loyal and stuck with me for over 20 years.”
And as Saxton passes the torch onto the next owners, what does retirement mean for Saxton? What does he plan to do?
“Anything I want to do,” he said, with a smile. “I plan to travel, play golf. I want to go to Hawaii. But I will be back at Ribeyes to check up on things. They better leave my parking spot alone.”
