Jim “Sevy” Severson greets long-time customers Sally and Matt Peltz, along with their sons Andrew and Erik (shaking hands), at his restaurant Sevy’s Grill in Dallas. The restaurant is closing June 27, 2026, after being open for nearly 30 years under four landlords.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
The owner of Sevy’s Grill in Dallas doesn’t want to host a farewell party, even though the restaurant will serve its last dinner on June 27, 2026.
“I don’t want to say goodbye,” said owner and chef Jim “Sevy” Severson. “Instead of doing one big party, June is our party.”
He’s feeling wistful about the restaurant he opened over 29 years ago near Preston Road and Northwest Highway. It’s been a reliable presence in the Park Cities, serving quick business lunches and refined wine dinners to customers who servers often know by name.
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“We were at our stride,” Sevy said. May 2026 was the restaurant’s second biggest month in sales in its nearly 30-year history.
Sevy is battling hiked rent prices. When he learned he’d have to pay 130% more in rent, Sevy decided to throw in his chef’s towel, giving customers six months’ notice to make return visits.
“The frustrating thing for smaller mom and pop shops is, we are a thriving business,” he said. “We just don’t have the big money behind us.”
Jim “Sevy” Severson sweeps the kitchen at his restaurant, Sevy’s Grill.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
A copy of the original business plan for Sevy’s Grill from October 1996 hangs a bulletin board outside the office of Jim “Sevy” Severson at his restaurant in Dallas. The restaurant is closing in late June 2026.
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Pan-seared lemon pepper Gulf red fish is another popular Sevy’s Grill order.
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Jim “Sevy” Severson and his wife Amy Severson are the heartbeat of the restaurant.
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Jim “Sevy” Severson points to photos pinned to the bulletin board in his office, where the yearly calendar entries fade after the closing date of June 27, 2026 at Sevy’s Grill in Dallas.
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Horse racing plays on a television above the bar at Sevy’s Grill in Dallas.
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Jim “Sevy” Severson works the line at his restaurant, Sevy’s Grill, closing June 27, 2026.
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Jim “Sevy” Severson greets long-time customer Susan Waddington as she arrives with her husband David Waddington for a 50th anniversary dinner at Sevy’s Grill in Dallas.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
If he wanted to pay the new rent, he said he would have to increase prices on the menu dramatically, an act he said would feel like “taxing guests.”
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“At the end of the day, I work for our guests and our staff,” he said. Changing his business to meet a new rent price felt like “working for the landlord” — not the reason he started a restaurant.
Customers keep coming back for the almond-crusted trout at lunch and the tenderloin at dinner. Sevy’s was also known for its wine dinners, advertised through an email the owner writes monthly. In the final edition sent June 1, 2026, Sevy wrote he felt “an overwhelming sense of gratitude.”
Sevy’s smokehouse beef tenderloin filet is a popular order at dinnertime, the owner said.
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“Through multiple generations, bad economies, pandemics, etc., our guests have stood by us. What a pleasure it has been to serve the best guests in town, and to develop the friendships with many of you,” he wrote in the email.
Sevy has cried and laughed with guests all month.
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He created a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising $100,000 for the restaurant’s 50 employees. Many stayed in their jobs for the last six months, loyal to the end, Sevy said. The fund has about $55,000 so far.
Maybe this earnest restaurateur is a dreamer. He has been living “on major bonus time” for nearly 20 years since he was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer that spread to his bones. He feels lucky to be alive.
Jim “Sevy” Severson (right) said said from the beginning his restaurant was a small, family-owned business. In the weeks before the restaurant closes, he holds his grandson Benny Severson, with (from left) his daughter in law Jessica Funk Severson, son Erik Severson, his wife Amy Severson holding granddaughter Lulu Severson and daughter Jenna Severson.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
In Sevy’s final 10 days, the steady spot near Sherry Lane will remain frozen in time as the neighborhood changes around it. Sevy’s is next to the pricey, new restaurant Casa Brasa. Soon, a 17-story apartment and a 12-story office building will spring up nearby.
Sevy was open to selling the restaurant to a new buyer, but plans didn’t materialize. He’d also consider opening another restaurant.
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But where? And what will it cost?
“It’s gotten so crazy with rent,” he said. “It’s hard to find anything.”
Sevy’s Grill is at 8201 Preston Road (at Sherry Lane), Dallas. Sevy’s is open for lunch and dinner six days a week; closed Sundays. Reservations are unavailable for the final day, June 27, 2026, but seats are open on other dates.