Our Story

We’re Jeff and Kelly Pettit—husband, wife, and now, proud owners of Bayou Grill.

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For us, this isn’t just about opening a restaurant. It’s about bringing something a little different to the Bayou, while staying true to the things we believe in most: God, family, fun, and always doing the right thing.

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We’ve spent most of our lives right here on the Alabama coast. Kelly’s family has deep roots in Bayou La Batre—her dad even operated the bridge for years, and my dad pastored a church right here in town. Together, we’ve shared a lifelong love for the Bayou’s people, its stories, and its simple, hardworking way of life.

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Our journey has taken some winding turns. For 16 years, we ran a commercial cleaning company, keeping businesses spotless across the Gulf Coast and employing several of your friends and neighbors. Before that, I (Jeff) spent over two decades managing high-pressure construction projects in the telecom world. Safe to say, we’re no strangers to hard work, long days, and doing what it takes to get the job done right.

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But our real dream? Creating a place where locals and visitors alike can feel at home—where the food is good, the vibe is easy, and every visit feels like pulling up a chair at a friend’s kitchen table.

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We know this little town has plenty of seafood (and we love it too), but we wanted to shake things up with burgers, chicken fingers, hot dogs, and a few fun surprises. Simple, craveable comfort food—done right.

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We’re pouring our hearts (and maybe a little bit of our souls) into Bayou Grill. It’s our way of giving back to the community that raised us, fed us, and supported us through every crazy chapter.

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At the end of the day, we’re about keeping things real, keeping things local, and making the Bayou proud.

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We hope you’ll pull up a seat, bring your friends, and become part of our story.