Just doing what he loves: Jean-Claude Petit a master in the kitchen

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Omelets are one of the specialties for J’s owner Jean-Claude Petit. Petit says Mexican dishes and catfish are two of his more popular sellers. He believes in tasty food at reasonable prices.

Carrying on a family tradition which began in France many years ago, the Petit family has earned local fame operating J’s, one of Warren County’s foremost restaurants.

The oldest independent business at Three Star Mall, J’s Restaurant has been in operation since May 1983, normally serving a packed house during peak eating hours.

“It’s been good to me,” said Jean-Claude Petit concerning his business at the mall. “Even after Kmart left, business remains good. We have a lot of regular customers, and that helps out a lot to keep business good.”

Petit moved here from France in 1973 after meeting his wife, Judy Bouldin Petit, through a long-distance romance which began when the two were pen pals. During his time in France, Petit was raised in a family of restaurateurs, with his father operating a restaurant there. Jean-Claude attended a professional cooking school in France, studying the art of cooking for three years. He later moved to Warren County to marry Judy.

Today, Jean-Claude is passing down his knowledge of the culinary arts to his son, Jean-Claude Petit Jr. The father-son team works side by side on the grill on a daily basis and are the only chefs at the restaurant. When Jean-Claude retires some day, he suspects his son will carry on the family business as a third-generation restaurateur. However, with business still brisk, Jean-Claude does not see himself leaving any time soon.

Jean-Claude believes tasty food, good prices and a relaxed atmosphere are what keeps bringing customers back.

“People like to taste their food so we make it with a lot of flavor,” Petit said. “We also offer real good prices so it doesn’t cost a lot to eat here. I also like to have one-on-one contact with my customers. I like to go out and chat with them, and get to know them.”

Petit said his biggest sellers are catfish and Mexican food. The restaurant offers a wide variety of food and boasts a generous salad bar, along with a discount light luncheon menu.

Over his years in the mall, J’s has won awards for best restaurant in the county as well as numerous awards for having the best hamburgers.

However, Jean-Claude said the biggest indicator of success is the seats which are generally full, meaning customers keep coming back.