'Nostalgia and gratitude': Lil' Chef will close in Brighton

BRIGHTON — After more than 50 years serving customers in Brighton, a family-operated eatery will close.

Lil' Chef at 101 Brookside Lane, Suite D, will close after Sunday, June 30, the restaurant's last day, ownership announced Wednesday in a social media post.

"It is with both nostalgia and gratitude that we announce the closure of Lil' Chef, a beloved institution in our community for nearly 52 years," the post read.

"The Steele family, who have tirelessly operated and nurtured Lil' Chef since its inception, have decided to retire, marking the end of an era filled with warmth, delicious meals, and cherished memories."

Stephanie Steele declined additional comment Thursday.

"Since opening its doors in 1973, Lil' Chef has been more than just a restaurant; it has been a gathering place, a hub of culinary delight, and a cornerstone of our community," the post continued. "From hearty breakfasts that started countless days with smiles, to comforting dinners that brought families together, Lil' Chef has left an indelible mark on our hearts and taste buds."

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Stephanie operates the restaurant with her husband, James "Scott" Steele. His father, James H. Steele, first opened Lil' Chef in 1973 near the entrance of the Brighton Mall. In 2008, the location closed after developers purchased the property for a Starbuck's and Olga's Kitchen.

Scott and Stephanie reopened a new Lil' Chef in 2009, according to the restaurant's website.

"As we bid farewell to Lil' Chef, let us celebrate the countless moments of joy and connection that have been fostered within its walls," the post read.

Customer Louis Scott told The Daily he's been a regular since the original location opened. He was in high school at the time.

"They opened my senior year in high school," he said. "They were open 24 hours. You could go the show, the movies or whatever, get out at 10 or 11 o'clock and go to the restaurant."

He kept coming back throughout his life because "the food has always been consistent," he said. "It's always been one of the better places."

For the past six months, he's been "coming here almost every day," he said. "There are a lot of regulars."

He's planning to be there for the restaurant's last day with a group of "brothers" from his Masonite temple.

"Every Sunday, we go to breakfast somewhere. I told them, this Sunday, we're coming here."

— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: 'Nostalgia and gratitude': Lil' Chef will close in Brighton