ZETUS — Backwoods Grill, located in the former Chiefs Grill on Zetus Road, is now open and steak is one of the items listed on the menu. The new restaurant is owned by a family from Pike County. 

The Mississippi Department of Health issued an “A” rating for the new restaurant this week. Backwoods Grill is located at 1378 Zetus Road, Brookhaven and is a family owned restaurant. 

According to the Mississippi Secretary of State Office, Stephanie Ann Lilly of Liberty is the registered agent who filed for the company. She is the owner. 

“We were looking for a place to do a food truck or restaurant but we came across this,” Lilly said. “This is better than anything we imagined. It has everything we need and all of the equipment is here. We liked the way it looked. We have been working on it since November and we finally opened Thursday.”

The restaurant features shrimp, fish, hamburgers, po-boys, barbecue sandwiches and a blooming onion appetizer in addition to steak. 

Backwoods Grill is not connected to the former Backwoods Bayou restaurant. 

Lilly said she has worked in quite a few restaurants. She was an assistant manager of another restaurant and decided to venture out and do their own thing “with God’s help.” Friday was the second day of business. 

“We did pretty good our first day. It was awesome to have customers come in and I was able to put my first dollar on the wall,” Lilly said. “We are family run and family based. I think it will be good to do this for the kids. They can have something of their own one day.”

Once the restaurant becomes established they hope to offer fresh seafood and breakfast. 

Lilly said the restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. 

The family is from Amite County and serves on the Smithdale Volunteer Fire Department. Lilly stated the community support has been great. 

“They have welcomed us here with a lot of encouraging words,” Lilly said. “We want everyone to come in and enjoy a friendly environment with good service and great food.”