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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.<\/p>\n
Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
The owner of\u00a0Sevy\u2019s Grill in Dallas doesn\u2019t want to host a farewell party, even though the restaurant will serve its last dinner<\/a> on June 27, 2026.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to say goodbye,\u201d said owner and chef Jim \u201cSevy\u201d Severson. \u201cInstead of doing one big party, June is our party.\u201d<\/p>\n He\u2019s feeling wistful about the restaurant he opened over 29 years ago near Preston Road and Northwest Highway. It\u2019s been a reliable presence in the Park Cities, serving quick business lunches and refined wine dinners to customers who servers often know by name.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cWe were at our stride,\u201d Sevy said. May 2026 was the restaurant\u2019s second biggest month in sales in its nearly 30-year history.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s towel, giving customers six months\u2019 notice to make return visits.<\/p>\n \u201cThe frustrating thing for smaller mom and pop shops is, we are a thriving business,\u201d he said. \u201cWe just don\u2019t have the big money behind us.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Jim “Sevy” Severson sweeps the kitchen at his restaurant, Sevy’s Grill.\u00a0<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News A copy of the original business plan for Sevy\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News Pan-seared lemon pepper Gulf red fish is another popular Sevy’s Grill order.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News Jim “Sevy” Severson and his wife Amy Severson are the heartbeat of the restaurant.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News 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.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News Horse racing plays on a television above the bar at Sevy’s Grill in Dallas.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News Jim “Sevy” Severson works the line at his restaurant, Sevy’s Grill, closing June 27, 2026.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News 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.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n 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 \u201ctaxing guests.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cAt the end of the day, I work for our guests and our staff,\u201d he said. Changing his business to meet a new rent price felt like \u201cworking for the landlord\u201d \u2014 not the reason he started a restaurant.\u00a0<\/p>\n Customers keep coming back for the almond-crusted trout at lunch and the tenderloin at dinner. Sevy\u2019s 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 \u201can overwhelming sense of gratitude.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Sevy’s smokehouse beef tenderloin filet is a popular order at dinnertime, the owner said.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n \u201cThrough 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,\u201d he wrote in the email.<\/p>\n Sevy has cried and laughed with guests all month.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n He created a GoFundMe\u00a0page with a goal of\u00a0raising $100,000<\/a> for the restaurant\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Maybe this earnest restaurateur is a dreamer. He has been living \u201con major bonus time\u201d for nearly 20 years since he was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer that spread to his bones. He feels lucky to be alive.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0his grandson Benny\u00a0Severson, 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.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n In Sevy\u2019s final 10 days, the steady spot near Sherry Lane will remain frozen in time as the neighborhood changes around it. Sevy\u2019s is next to the pricey, new restaurant Casa Brasa<\/a>. Soon, a 17-story apartment and a 12-story office building will spring up nearby<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sevy was open to selling the restaurant to a new buyer, but plans didn\u2019t materialize. He\u2019d also consider opening another restaurant.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n But where? And what will it cost?<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s gotten so crazy with rent,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to find anything.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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