Harvey Family History
Dan “Daddy Dan” Harvey was born in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1927, while his Ohio-native family was here on vacation. He would frequently return to St. Petersburg with his family for vacation throughout his childhood. He married Harriet, in 1950, and the two continued to vacation with their three children in St. Petersburg, until they decided to relocate the Harvey family here in 1962.
Dan Jr.’s first job was as a busboy at Rolande et Pierre on Fourth Street North, where he would carry flash cards for school in his apron so he could study between shifts. After graduating from St. Pete High, Dan Jr. went to Florida State University and majored in business. After his time at FSU, Dan Jr. worked his way up to managing restaurants in Chicago, but he always knew that his dream was to come back to St. Pete to own and operate a restaurant.
Due to the goodwill and support of his close friends and the tight-knit community of St. Pete, Dan Jr. was able to open the iconic Harvey’s 4th Street Grill on April 1, 1984. Having a true bar and grill in St. Pete, Dan jr. knew he needed to make it iconic. He salvaged wood from the Vinoy Ballroom to make the dining room floors, ceiling wood from the Soreno Hotel for the Patio ceiling, doors from the Sunshine School, and an art collection from Mainsail Art Festival.
For the past 40 years it’s been one fun ride ever since. If red rails and wood-paneled walls could talk, there would be too many epic stories to tell of Halloween bashes, Full Moon Celebrations, and Christmas parties late into the evenings.
Still a family-friendly restaurant, Sunday brunch is a crowd favorite. And we want to make even our littlest customers feel welcome. Our bartenders make great (stiff) drinks, and we try to keep costs low for our customers.
You can still find Daddy Dan in the office working. And Jane can be found next to her dad, ensuring all of the details of the restaurant, big or small, are in order. Dan Jr. can still be seen carrying bus-tubs, greeting guests, and hosting parties.
We have been fortunate to be open since 1984, and, in addition to our loyal customers, we have our great staff to thank for that. We have watched our servers’ kids grow up to become hostesses and busboys; we’ve watched staff members get married; we’ve cried at funerals; and we’ve toasted to hole-in-one’s and new babies. There are staff members who have been with us from day one, and for that, we are forever grateful.
Join us if you like fresh caught grouper, a good bar or iconic St. Pete.
We love St. Pete and everything the City has to offer. Our goal is to withstand the test of time and to remain a St. Pete staple for decades to come. And to continue on the legacy, the third generation of the Harvey family has started to help out with the restaurant as well.
Cheers to 40 years!
Daddy Dan, Jane and George, Dan Jr., and Susan and Jimmy
+ 4 granddaughters
+ 3 husbands
+ 2 great-grandchildren
