Meet Steve Riney | Restaurant Owner Operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Steve Riney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Steve, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve been in the industry for over 20 years and when the opportunity became a real option i jumped on it. Its just always been a dream of mine to own my own place since i have been running restaurants with success for everyone else.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been in the restaurant industry my entire life. My first job was at a schlotzkys working the drive thru lol. I then barbacked for a while, worked at a Bennigans, Bahama Breeze and eventually fine dining at Maguiars Uptown where I learned fine dining and wine knowledge. I owe alot to my management style under the tutelidge Of the owner Mark Maguire. Hes a great man and leader eventually led to an opportunity as an assistant manager at DoubleTree Hotel ,. From there i was quickly promoted to F&B Director and Ill tell you that I was terrible at first. Luckily I had some great mentors that led me in the right direction and really taught me the financial side of F&B. I worked there for 8 years or so and It was a great experience. I then had an opportunity to move back to East Texas where i was born and open a brand new fine dining restaurant with The Ebey brothers. I continued my education of fine foods and wine knowledge as their GM. We eventually led back to Dallas and took over GM at SER Steak and spirits atop the Hilton Anatole and eventually the F&B Director at Gentle Creek Country Club before opening The MEat Up in Denton

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Denton is a great music town, so we would definitely catch some local shows at the dive bars and hit the square for all of its eclectic restaurant, bars, and shops.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I really just want to thank my family and friends for believing in me and enduring the process it took to get here. They have been my rock throughout the rigorous journey to get here and i couldn’t have done it without them.

Website: https://www.themeatuptx.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meatuptx/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-meat-up

Twitter: @themeatuptx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MEATUPTX

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-meat-up-denton?osq=the+meat+up