About

In memory of Steve King

(1951 – 2002)

Co-Founder and Owner of The Kingsman Restaurant

In 1972, Steve and his brother Aubrey purchased what was then known as Mamma Mia’s Pizza and transformed it into The Kingsman Restaurant. Keeping many of the original Italian dishes, the brothers slowly started adding their own specialties – such as the pimento cheeseburger, taz’s taters and home cooked lunches. Delicious as they were, it was their hearty ribeyes – locally aged and originally priced at $1.85 – that established The Kingsman as THE place in Columbia to get a great steak.

Forty years later, The Kingsman still serves the best tasting and affordable ribeyes – but with a few new twists. With the unexpected passing of Steve in 2002, nephew Kevin King took the helm, carrying on the tradition of serving delicious food at reasonable prices. In 2012, Chefs Henry Griffin and Mike Deevey joined the Kingsman family. These locally famous chefs, known for their incredible ability to scale from diner favorites to fine dining, are bringing new energy to The Kingsman while upholding the traditions you have helped build through the years.

Chefs Henry Griffin and Mike Deevey have been leaving their culinary mark on Columbia SC for over 15 years. After graduating from Johnson and Wales in 2000 Mike joined Henry at Ristorante Divino where Henry was apprenticing under Chef Fulvio Valsecchi. It was at Divinos where Mike and Henry spent hour after hour creating different menu ideas, some which today are staples of The Kingsman. In 2003 Henry ventured off and has spent the past 8 years holding the Head Chef title at Gervais and Vine, Rosso Trattoria, and Hunter Gatherer. In 2004 Mike had the opportunity to become the Executive Chef at the SC Governors mansion where he spent 5 years working for the Sanford Family. In 2009 Mike found his way back to Ristorante Divino. Henry and Mike eventually found their ways to the helm of the Kingsman, devoting their time to keeping to the traditions of the restaurant and culture while at the same time adding their personal flares to the menu.

To our regulars, we appreciate your continued patronage and trust – you’ve made The Kingsman what it is today! To our newcomers – thank you – and we hope your experience will bring you back again and again!

– Kingsman Owners