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Much has gone into Legends Steakhouse in Murphy making the dining establishment what it is today. From left are owner Cody Allen, Executive Chef Tyler Wilson and owner Selina Jones. -
Executive Chef Tyler Wilson enjoys his career at Legends Steakhouse in Murphy, creating quality meals for customers to enjoy.
Murphy Ever since Cody was young he knew he wanted to own a restaurant,” said his mother, Selina Jones, who grew up in the business as her mother owned two.
“I had always loved working with my mother, even when I was just a little girl about 5 or 6 years old. I remember running around behind her,” she said.
“She made everything from scratch as if she were making it for her own family. She put her heart and soul and everything into it.”
When her son, Cody Allen, was 14, he wanted to earn money for a new car, so he began working at Brothers Restaurant in Ranger, where he continued working right through his senior year at Murphy High School. Allen worked in just about every position at the restaurant, including bussing, serving, checkout and management.
Jones was a hair dresser when she decided to get a job at the same restaurant as her son. She started waitressing with the intent to put the money she earned toward the new car Allen was saving for. The mom and son team worked together, and Allen was eventually able to purchase his first car – a 2007 white Mustang GT.
Allen went on to Western Carolina after high school, where he earned a double major in business administration and entrepreneurship. He continued to hang on to the dream of owning his own restaurant – and all that comes with it.
After earning his degrees, Allen got a job with a credit union, where he remained for a few years. Meanwhile, mom went to work at another restaurant, earning her way into management within a month of her employment.
About a year later, an opportunity opened up for Allen and Jones to purchase a restaurant. They worked for the owner and seller of the business for a short period before realizing the numbers weren’t adding up. By then, the two had ownership fever.
They ending up finding a different location where they could open up a restaurant, and the pair jumped in with all four feet. A former auto parts store was completely remodeled, and the new restaurant was named Legends, as Allen liked the idea of a place honoring sports legends.
In spring 2020, as the new restaurant was due to open, COVID-19 reared its ugly head. That caused a delay in opening until the end of October that year.
The family run business includes a high school friend of Allen’s – the restaurant’s executive chef, Tyler Wilson, who Allen considers to be family. Wilson was born in Silva and grew up in Martins Creek, attending Murphy High School.
Wilson’s early jobs consisted of working in a grocery store before moving on to a dishwasher position at a restaurant. From there, he was employed at Blue Mountain Coffee & Grill, where he worked under the chef for about nine years.
Wilson recalled their appreciation for his talent.
“While I was working at Blue Mountain Coffee & Grill, the owner and the manager really took a liking to foods I was making, the specials I was creating and the execution process that I would do on a daily basis,” he said.
Wilson went on to earn a corporate position with Brasstown Valley Resort as a senior chef, where he served for eight years before landing at Legends as executive chef. He received culinary training from North Georgia Technical College.
The married father of four children loves his career. When asked if he’s ever burnt anything, he said with a laugh, “Yes, of course, if anyone says they haven’t, they’re lying.”
Legends Steakhouse is geared toward everyday folks who want to grab an affordable meal after work, as well as those who want to dress-up and dine at an upscale restaurant.
The Legends name remains the same; however, the thought behind it has changed from honoring sports legends to everyday legends. Going forward, the name will be to honor law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, utility line workers, educators and other folks who work hard and are dedicated to helping those around them everyday.
The family friendly restaurant also offers a discount to those folks Legends is honoring. Future plans include expanding a portion of the establishment so they can grow their catering venue.
Details: Call 828-837-8500.