FAMILY BUSINESS AWARDS: You Gotta Eat Here

By Ruth E. Thaler-Carter

Oct 20, 2022

From left: Larry W., Dorothy Williams, Linda Cooper, Karen Williams, Terrence Williams and Whitney W.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MATT HAESLY | ACBJ; DILIP VISHWANAT | SLBJ; GETTY IMAGES

You Gotta Eat Here is a first-generation Black-owned restaurant, founded in 1997 in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood by Andre and Dorothy Williams, who are deeply committed to enduring despite the challenges their location suggests, as well as the pandemic era.

Today, the family business has seven total employees, including five family members. You Gotta Eat Here is known for its burgers, wings, chicken tenders, and sandwiches.

The Past

The Williamses overcame funding challenges to launch You Gotta Eat Here thanks to support from Justine Petersen, a Missouri not-for-profit corporation that helps low- to moderate-income individuals and families build assets and create change. In the past 25 years, they have grown the business to serve more customers.

“We started with just two tables, which would have been huge anyhow,” Andre Williams said.

He bought the restaurant from the original owner when it was what Williams called a “hole in the wall” place to eat that he often patronized.

“The owner asked how much money I had and said we would make it work. I’m glad he did.”

The Present

Family members working in the business are the Williamses’ daughters and niece; Dorothy’s sister, who is their cook; and Andre’s brother, who “has been with me forever,” he said. “And I got lucky with a great wife!”

Williams is considered a neighborhood celebrity for his community service activities. For 34 years, he has coached basketball and football at the Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club (now the St. Louis Boys and Girls Club) across the street from the restaurant. He has served as a committeeman for a North City ward and been involved in civic efforts from neighborhood clean-ups to youth engagement. Being able to bring his players to the restaurant when they need a meal has been important to him.

“I’ve been so blessed to give back this way,” he said.

The major challenge has been obtaining access to safe and affordable capital, which they share with other Black-owned businesses.

“If it were not for organizations like Justine Petersen supporting Black-owned businesses north of Delmar (Boulevard), I think we would not be in business today,” Andre said. “Black-owned businesses need access to mainstream financing, plain and simple.”

The demands of their industry are also a factor: “The restaurant business is a hard business,” he said. “You have to be flexible.”

The Future

Success has meant new opportunities, but the Williams family plans to keep their business right where it is.

“I was always told how to build it up, and I’ve had offers to move the restaurant to a different location, but all I want to do is give neighborhood people good food at the lowest price I can charge,” Andre said. “I wouldn’t change anything.”

Being a family-owned business has shown the Williamses how important it is to “stick together. Always stick together,” Andre said.

“Keeping the family behind the business means keeping the family engaged, and supportive of the community and the neighborhood. It boils down to vision, not just for the business, but the community as a whole. A family business exists because other families — a network of families — support your business. This is our family farm — it’s just located on North Grand!”

More about You Gotta Eat Here

Leadership: Andre and Dorothy Williams, owners

Year founded: 1997

Revenue: Did not disclose

No. of total employees: 7

No. of family members involved in business: 5

Generation: First