If you walk down Bank Street in Decatur, Alabama, you'll eventually hit a corner that feels like it’s vibrating with old-school Tennessee River energy. That’s where Simp McGhee’s Decatur AL sits. Honestly, most "fine dining" spots feel a bit stuffy, like you’re eating in a library where the librarian is judging your choice of fork. Simp’s isn't that. It’s got this weirdly perfect mix of upscale Cajun seafood and a history so rowdy it involves beer-drinking pigs and 19th-century "houses of ill repute."
You've probably heard the name. Maybe you’re looking for a place for an anniversary, or maybe you just want a decent steak that wasn't thawed out in a microwave. Either way, Simp McGhee’s is basically the anchor of the Old Decatur Historic District. It’s been around since 1986, but the ghost of the man it’s named after has been haunting (in a fun way) these streets since the 1880s.
The Man, The Pig, and The Legend
To understand the restaurant, you kinda have to understand the guy. William Simpson "Simp" McGhee wasn't a chef. He was a riverboat captain on the Tennessee River. He was also, by all historical accounts, a total menace.
Simp was famous for three things: his reckless boat driving, his legendary affair with a woman named Kate Lackner (known as Miss Kate), and his pet pig. This wasn't just a farm pig. This pig would follow Simp into the local saloons on Bank Street and drink beer right alongside him.
He didn't just hang out, though. Simp was a businessman. He owned a saloon and likely had a "business interest" in the brothel where Miss Kate worked as the madam. The stories say she used to parade her "lovely ladies" up and down Bank Street in horse-drawn carriages on Sunday afternoons. Simp used to blow his steam whistle every Thursday just to let Kate know he was back in town.
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Eventually, the river caught up with him. He lost his license in 1917 after some "reckless shooting" near Chattanooga and died just three months later. He couldn't handle being away from the water. When Robert and Jenny Lind Riddle opened the restaurant in '86, they leaned hard into that lore. Today, the place is owned by Christy Wheat, who actually started there as a server. Talk about a career arc.
What You’re Actually Eating
Okay, enough history. You’re here for the food. If you go to Simp McGhee's and don't order the Seafood-Filled Mushroom Caps, you’ve fundamentally failed the mission. These things are on the "100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die" list for a reason. They’re stuffed with a seafood blend, topped with Monterey Jack and bacon, and drizzled with a house honey dressing. It sounds like a lot of flavors fighting each other, but it works.
The menu is heavy on the Cajun influence. We’re talking:
- Crawfish Eggrolls: They’re crunchy, spicy, and the best way to start a meal.
- She-Crab Soup: It’s rich, buttery, and probably contains a week’s worth of calories. Worth it.
- Fresh Catch: They pull fish straight from the Gulf. Depending on the night, you might get snapper or grouper, usually blackened or topped with something like a Rockefeller sauce.
- The Steaks: They do a prime rib that people swear by, but the market-price fillets are the real heavy hitters.
The vibe inside is very "Deep South tavern." Dark wood, low lighting, and an upstairs dining area that’s a bit quieter than the bar downstairs. If you go on a Friday night, be prepared for live music. Sometimes it’s a guy with a guitar, sometimes it’s a full band, and yeah, it can get loud.
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The "Yankee" Warning: How to Not Look Out of Place
I saw a review once from a guy from Chicago who showed up in cargo shorts and a t-shirt. He felt like a "Damn Yankee" because everyone else was dressed to the nines.
Decatur takes its "night out" seriously. While there’s no official dress code that’ll get you kicked out, you’ll see men in blazers and women in nice dresses. It’s the "premier" spot in town, after all. If you show up in flip-flops, the food will still taste great, but you might feel like you’re at the wrong party.
A Quick Reality Check on the Service
Look, no place is perfect. If you go on a night when a festival is happening on Bank Street (like the 3rd Friday events), service is going to be slow. It’s a historic building with a kitchen that wasn't designed for 21st-century volume. People have complained about two-hour waits during peak times. If you’re in a rush to get to a movie, maybe pick a different night. Simp’s is a "sit and stay a while" kind of place.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
In an era where every town has the same five chain restaurants, Simp McGhee’s Decatur AL is a survivor. It represents a specific type of Southern hospitality that isn't manufactured by a corporate office in a different state. It’s tied to the river, the history of Bank Street, and a riverboat captain who lived his life exactly how he wanted.
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The restaurant has stayed relevant because it hasn't tried to become a "fusion" spot or chase every TikTok food trend. They do Cajun seafood and steaks. They do them well. They keep the lights low and the drinks strong.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit:
- Make a Reservation: Seriously. Don’t just wing it, especially on weekends. Call (256) 353-6284.
- Try the Honey Dressing: It’s their secret weapon. It goes on the mushrooms, but people put it on everything.
- Explore Bank Street: Before or after dinner, walk around. You’re right next to Bank Street Antiques and the Old State Bank. It’s the most walkable part of Decatur.
- Check the Music Schedule: If you want a romantic, quiet dinner, ask for a table upstairs or go on a weeknight. If you want the party, Friday night downstairs is your target.
If you’re looking to experience the actual heart of Decatur, this is it. It’s messy, it’s historic, it’s a little bit loud, and the food is consistently some of the best in North Alabama. Just leave your pet pig at home.
Grab a seat at the bar, order a Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, and imagine Simp McGhee himself sitting next to you. He’d probably try to steal your appetizers, but he’d have a hell of a story to tell while he did it.