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{{About|the steakhouse chain|the craft store chain|Michaels}} | |||
[[Image:Michael's logo.png|right|275px]] | |||
'''Michael's Sirloin Room''' was a steakhouse chain founded in [[1953]] by [[Michael Matsos]]. It originally opened at the [[Holiday Inn]] on [[Bessemer Super Highway]] as a second location for Matsos' [[La Paree]], Its best-known location, at 431 [[20th Street South]] in [[Birmingham]]'s [[Southside]] opened in [[1958]] as one of the anchors of [[The Strip]], a small entertainment district opposite the [[Parliament House]] hotel. [[Connie Kanakis]] joined Matsos as a partner in the flagship restaurant. | |||
The menu, developed by executive chef [[William Orr]], featured charcoal-seared steer butt steaks along with shish kabobs and other staples. The restaurant was the first in Birmingham to be awarded three stars from the ''Mobil Travel Guide''. Michael's hosted numerous luminaries in its heyday including Bob Hope, Arnold Palmer and Yogi Berra. The walls were decorated with sports memorabilia and photographs. It was a favorite of [[Bear Bryant]] who would sometimes bring the whole [[University of Alabama|football team]] to the restaurant. | |||
In [[2004]] Michael's was revived in a joint-venture between [[Golden Rule Bar-B-Q]] (which Matsos purchased in [[1970]]), and investor [[Rusty Creel]]. The new first restaurant to bear the Michael's name was the $2.5 million, 6,400 square-foot '''Michael's Golden Rule Bar-B-Q''' at [[The Village at Lee Branch]] near [[Greystone]] on [[U.S. Highway 280]]. In August [[2006]] a new '''Michael's Steaks and Seafood''' opened at the former R. J. Gator's location at the [[Riverchase Galleria]]. On [[December 31]], [[2006]], the 280 location was closed so the company could concentrate on the Galleria location. | [[Image:1981_Michael's_logo.png|left|thumb|175px|1981 Michael's logo]] | ||
Matsos partnered with Birmingham real estate developer [[C. R. Dudley]] to place Michael's steak houses in newly-opened [[Holiday Inn]] locations in Huntsville and Madison. In [[1961]] Matsos invested with Dudley as co-owner of a Holiday Inn and Michael's restaurant in St Petersburg, Florida. | |||
A fifth location, called '''Michael's-in-the-Mall''' opened in October [[1960]] at [[Eastwood Mall]]. A special "Hawaiian Kabob" was created in honor of the new location. That restaurant was converted to the [[Holland House]] before July [[1961]]. Another restaurant, '''Michael's Ship Ahoy''' was located at 401 [[Valley Avenue]]. | |||
The Holiday Inn locations closed in time, and Matsos and Kanakis sold the remaining downtown restaurant in [[1984]]. It continued under new owners before finally closing in [[1992]]. | |||
In [[2004]] Michael's was revived in a joint-venture between [[Golden Rule Bar-B-Q]] (which Matsos purchased in [[1970]]), and investor [[Rusty Creel]]. The new first restaurant to bear the Michael's name was the $2.5 million, 6,400 square-foot '''Michael's Golden Rule Bar-B-Q''' at [[The Village at Lee Branch]] near [[Greystone]] on [[U.S. Highway 280]]. In August [[2006]] a new '''Michael's Steaks and Seafood''' opened at the former R. J. Gator's location at the [[Riverchase Galleria]]. On [[December 31]], [[2006]], the 280 location was closed so the company could concentrate on the Galleria location. In September [[2009]] Matsos sold 15 of his 19 Golden Rule locations to [[Jeff Miller]]. | |||
In [[2009]] Michael's opened a restaurant at the [[Aloft Birmingham SoHo Square]] hotel in [[Homewood]]. That location featured live jazz on weekend evenings and during a Sunday brunch buffet. The '''Michael's & More''' catering company operated from that location and served Aloft's banquet rooms. Future Michael's locations were then in development for Huntsville, Nashville and Atlanta. The company was also in talks with Starwood Hotels, Carlson Hotels and a Destin, Florida development. | |||
In August [[2012]] the Galleria location closed to make way for a new [[La Paz]] location. | |||
In [[2018]] owner [[Bernadette Birdsong]] agreed to a 10-year lease to relocate the Homewood Michael's restaurant to [[Birmingham]]'s [[Negro Southern League Museum]]. Those plans were delayed by construction issues and the [[2020 Coronavirus pandemic]]. The restaurant opened for take-out and delivery, with limited dining service, on [[August 3]], [[2020]]. | |||
==Locations== | |||
* [[Holiday Inn]] on [[Bessemer Super Highway]], 1953– | |||
* 431 [[20th Street South]] in "[[The Strip]]", 1958–1992 | |||
* "Michael's-in-the-Mall" at [[Eastwood Mall]], 1960–1961 | |||
* "Michael's Ship Ahoy", 401 [[Valley Avenue]], | |||
* "Michael's Golden Rule Bar-B-Q" at [[The Village at Lee Branch]], 2004–2006 | |||
* "Michael's Steaks and Seafood" at the [[Riverchase Galleria]], 2006–2012 | |||
* [[Aloft Birmingham SoHo Square]], 2009–2019 | |||
* [[Negro Southern League Museum]] in the [[Parkside District]], 2020– | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Wilkinson, Kaija | * "For M. C. Matsos, Loan on Old Car Lead to Success." [sic] (February 19, 1961) ''St Petersburg Evening Independent'' | ||
* Williams, Roy L. (December 3, 2004) | * Wilkinson, Kaija (July 14, 2006) "Michael's Steaks and Seafood comes to Galleria." {{BBJ}} | ||
* Williams, Roy L. (December 3, 2004) "Michael's bringing back steaks, adding barbecue." {{BN}} | |||
* Angell, Glory Clark (1983) ''[[Birmingham Inside Out]]''. Birmingham: self published. | * Angell, Glory Clark (1983) ''[[Birmingham Inside Out]]''. Birmingham: self published. | ||
* Williams, Roy L. | * Williams, Roy L. (January 23, 2007) "Business brief." {{BN}} | ||
* Williams, Roy L. (November 17, 2009) "Michael's checks into Homewood's new Aloft." {{BN}} | |||
* Williams, Roy L. (September 1, 2012) "Michael's steakhouse in Hoover closes to make way for Mexican restaurant." {{BN}} | |||
* Edgemon, Erin (June 22, 2018) "Restaurant gets $1.5 million in incentives to open in Birmingham Negro Southern League Museum." {{BN}} | |||
* Stuart, Shauna (August 5, 2020) "Go inside the reopened Michael’s Restaurant in downtown Birmingham." {{BN}} | |||
==External link== | ==External link== | ||
* [http://www. | * [http://www.eatatmichaels.com/ Michael's] website | ||
[[Category:Steakhouses]] | [[Category:Steakhouses]] | ||
[[Category:Barbecue restaurants]] | [[Category:Barbecue restaurants]] | ||
[[Category:20th | [[Category:Black-owned restaurants]] | ||
[[Category:5th & 20th]] | |||
[[Category:Greek-owned restaurants]] | [[Category:Greek-owned restaurants]] | ||
[[Category:Village at Lee Branch]] | [[Category:Village at Lee Branch]] | ||
[[Category:Riverchase Galleria]] | [[Category:Riverchase Galleria]] | ||
[[Category:1953 establishments]] | |||
[[Category:1992 disestablishments]] | |||
[[Category:2004 establishments]] | |||
[[Category:2020 establishments]] | |||
Latest revision as of 20:13, 6 January 2024
- This article is about the steakhouse chain. For the craft store chain, see Michaels.
Michael's Sirloin Room was a steakhouse chain founded in 1953 by Michael Matsos. It originally opened at the Holiday Inn on Bessemer Super Highway as a second location for Matsos' La Paree, Its best-known location, at 431 20th Street South in Birmingham's Southside opened in 1958 as one of the anchors of The Strip, a small entertainment district opposite the Parliament House hotel. Connie Kanakis joined Matsos as a partner in the flagship restaurant.
The menu, developed by executive chef William Orr, featured charcoal-seared steer butt steaks along with shish kabobs and other staples. The restaurant was the first in Birmingham to be awarded three stars from the Mobil Travel Guide. Michael's hosted numerous luminaries in its heyday including Bob Hope, Arnold Palmer and Yogi Berra. The walls were decorated with sports memorabilia and photographs. It was a favorite of Bear Bryant who would sometimes bring the whole football team to the restaurant.
Matsos partnered with Birmingham real estate developer C. R. Dudley to place Michael's steak houses in newly-opened Holiday Inn locations in Huntsville and Madison. In 1961 Matsos invested with Dudley as co-owner of a Holiday Inn and Michael's restaurant in St Petersburg, Florida.
A fifth location, called Michael's-in-the-Mall opened in October 1960 at Eastwood Mall. A special "Hawaiian Kabob" was created in honor of the new location. That restaurant was converted to the Holland House before July 1961. Another restaurant, Michael's Ship Ahoy was located at 401 Valley Avenue.
The Holiday Inn locations closed in time, and Matsos and Kanakis sold the remaining downtown restaurant in 1984. It continued under new owners before finally closing in 1992.
In 2004 Michael's was revived in a joint-venture between Golden Rule Bar-B-Q (which Matsos purchased in 1970), and investor Rusty Creel. The new first restaurant to bear the Michael's name was the $2.5 million, 6,400 square-foot Michael's Golden Rule Bar-B-Q at The Village at Lee Branch near Greystone on U.S. Highway 280. In August 2006 a new Michael's Steaks and Seafood opened at the former R. J. Gator's location at the Riverchase Galleria. On December 31, 2006, the 280 location was closed so the company could concentrate on the Galleria location. In September 2009 Matsos sold 15 of his 19 Golden Rule locations to Jeff Miller.
In 2009 Michael's opened a restaurant at the Aloft Birmingham SoHo Square hotel in Homewood. That location featured live jazz on weekend evenings and during a Sunday brunch buffet. The Michael's & More catering company operated from that location and served Aloft's banquet rooms. Future Michael's locations were then in development for Huntsville, Nashville and Atlanta. The company was also in talks with Starwood Hotels, Carlson Hotels and a Destin, Florida development.
In August 2012 the Galleria location closed to make way for a new La Paz location.
In 2018 owner Bernadette Birdsong agreed to a 10-year lease to relocate the Homewood Michael's restaurant to Birmingham's Negro Southern League Museum. Those plans were delayed by construction issues and the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic. The restaurant opened for take-out and delivery, with limited dining service, on August 3, 2020.
Locations
- Holiday Inn on Bessemer Super Highway, 1953–
- 431 20th Street South in "The Strip", 1958–1992
- "Michael's-in-the-Mall" at Eastwood Mall, 1960–1961
- "Michael's Ship Ahoy", 401 Valley Avenue,
- "Michael's Golden Rule Bar-B-Q" at The Village at Lee Branch, 2004–2006
- "Michael's Steaks and Seafood" at the Riverchase Galleria, 2006–2012
- Aloft Birmingham SoHo Square, 2009–2019
- Negro Southern League Museum in the Parkside District, 2020–
References
- "For M. C. Matsos, Loan on Old Car Lead to Success." [sic] (February 19, 1961) St Petersburg Evening Independent
- Wilkinson, Kaija (July 14, 2006) "Michael's Steaks and Seafood comes to Galleria." Birmingham Business Journal
- Williams, Roy L. (December 3, 2004) "Michael's bringing back steaks, adding barbecue." The Birmingham News
- Angell, Glory Clark (1983) Birmingham Inside Out. Birmingham: self published.
- Williams, Roy L. (January 23, 2007) "Business brief." The Birmingham News
- Williams, Roy L. (November 17, 2009) "Michael's checks into Homewood's new Aloft." The Birmingham News
- Williams, Roy L. (September 1, 2012) "Michael's steakhouse in Hoover closes to make way for Mexican restaurant." The Birmingham News
- Edgemon, Erin (June 22, 2018) "Restaurant gets $1.5 million in incentives to open in Birmingham Negro Southern League Museum." The Birmingham News
- Stuart, Shauna (August 5, 2020) "Go inside the reopened Michael’s Restaurant in downtown Birmingham." The Birmingham News
External link
- Michael's website