S&D Oyster Company turns 50 on Wednesday, Sept. 16 and to commemorate five decades in Dallas, the restaurant begins its celebration today with food and drink specials, commemorative merchandise and live music, including special offerings on the restaurant’s official anniversary day. The McKinney Ave. restaurant will cap off the week with a celebratory Saturday event on Sept. 19.
S&D Oyster Company has been serving fresh Gulf Coast seafood from its singular Uptown location since 1976. Founded by Herb and Mary Kay Story and named after their children, Stephanie and Doak, the two had spent years along the Gulf Coast during Herb’s service as a Navy fighter pilot. After returning to Dallas, the SMU grads wanted to recreate the seafood and flavors from the Gulf based on family recipes and Mary Kay’s experiences learning from Louisiana cooks.
As restaurants come and go in Dallas, a half-century later, the place still stands.
Housed in a historic McKinney Ave. building, S&D has remained committed to a simple food philosophy: fresh seafood, time-honored recipes and Southern hospitality.
The brothers behind The Bellomy Group acquired S&D in 2023.
To help the restaurant celebrate, diners have a number of options this week.
Anniversary festivities include half-off all draft beer and special $19.76 pricing (a nod to the restaurant’s founding year) on 50th anniversary merchandise like tees, whiskey glass sets and more.
On Wednesday, guests can enjoy 50-cent Gulf oysters and half-off all alcohol throughout the day.
On Saturday, the Revelers Hall Band will perform from noon-3 p.m. and again from 6-9 p.m. Recreations of the restaurant’s original menus will also be displayed on tables for an added flair of nostalgia.
S&D Oyster Company is located at 2701 McKinney Ave.
–Rich Lopez