Joseph's origin began with Fred and Rosemond Joseph. Originally a grocery store in Drumright, Oklahoma, 2 miles south of town, Fred began having much success with serving sandwiches to the oil field workers and grocery customers. Fred decided to close the grocery store and open as a full-service restaurant.
Eventually his nephew, Edmond 'Tex' Slyman purchased the restaurant and operated with great success until a fire tragically burned the building to the ground. Edmond relocated 'Freddie's ' to Sapulpa, OK. where he still operates today.
On the original location, Fred and nephew Joe Naifeh rebuild the restaurant, renaming it Joseph's. They operated succesfully as partners, and eventually Joe and Kathy Naifeh purchased full interest of the family business. They developed and continued the great tradition with Elizabeth Naifeh anchoring the front for a full 23 years before passing the torch to current owners Jamey and Elizabeth Martin. The Naifeh's now operate Naifeh's Deli and Grill in Cushing, Ok.
Jamey worked as a bus-boy for the Naifeh family while in high school and while attending East Central University, the same University of his mentors, he would travel back on the week-ends to help work the grill and cook-line. After graduation, Jamey and his wife moved back to Drumright and took full-time employment at Joseph's, learning all the aspects of hands on business and the techniques of preparing great cuisine.
Through all the years of our cherished tradition, Joseph's has been the gathering place of the oilfield workers, electricians, families, business men, school teachers and students. Weekend visitors travelers routinely from Tulsa, like Mr. and Mrs. Baker, who have eaten with us every Friday since 1964! Customers like Mr. Burns who would eat with us twice a day, 5 days a week, and even attended the company Christmas party! Sometimes even the more famous and well-know may be found, 2 miles out in the country on highway 16.....hope to see you soon.
