As more small businesses strive to survive in today’s market, it is vital that we support local ventures and the towns they call home.
One such story was that of The Porter House in Porter, Okla. Opened in the summer of 2024, the dream of Brandy and Casey Bratt, two native Oklahomans with a passion for food and community opened the establishment. Known for their specialty steaks and a menu filled with burgers, pasta, and unique sandwiches, The Porter House quickly became a local favorite.
The Bratts sat down with the TCC Connection to discuss their journey of building once a flourishing restaurant in the small town of Porter. The couple shared the inspiration behind the venture, reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of establishing a destination spot for locals and visitors alike. Their story highlights the impact of community support, the drive to create a welcoming dining experience, and the personal stories that shaped their journey to success.
Before it became The Porter House, the building was home to The Sisters Farmhouse Cafe, a diner run by Casey’s mother in 2019. Like many small businesses, the cafe struggled to survive the impact of COVID-19 and was eventually put up for sale in 2021. But after two years on the market, Brandy and Casey decided to give it one more chance—not as a diner, but as something new. They reimagined the space, and The Porter House was born.
For Casey, opening a restaurant was a lifelong dream. Known for cooking for family and friends, he found that designing the menu came naturally.
“I’ve always loved cooking, and since we already had a potential space to start a restaurant, everything just fell into place,” Casey shared.
But while the concept came naturally, the process didn’t. It took six months of hard work to bring their vision to life. The couple added a new wall, redid the floors, and invested in new equipment.
“There’s a lot that goes into it: paperwork, permits, city council meetings — all of it takes time,” Brandy explained.
The menu at The Porter House was crafted with quality in mind. The restaurant’s steaks, made with Certified Angus Beef aged for a minimum of 21 days, were cooked on a Hasty Bake grill, giving the meat a rich, wood-fired flavor. The Bratts took pride in using fresh, handmade ingredients.
“Our bacon-wrapped jalapeños and fried onion strings were local favorites,” Brandy said. “And from our dessert menu, the coconut cream pie was a personal favorite. All of our desserts were handmade, and you could taste the difference.”
The Porter Peach Festival Rush
Porter is widely known for its annual Porter Peach Festival, hosted by the Porter Lions Club. This three-day celebration includes a parade, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, free peaches, and live music. For The Porter House, it was one of the busiest weekends they had experienced.
Casey recalled the unforgettable rush on the Saturday of the festival.
“The 20th of July was wild! People were coming in wanting to buy whole peach cobblers and peach drinks. We sold out of so many things that day,” he said with a smile. The festival not only brought in more business but also showed the power of community-driven events for local restaurants.
The Hidden Challenges of Running a Small Business
Running a small business is not all celebrations and sold-out menus. The behind-the-scenes work is often underestimated. Brandy opened up about one of the most frustrating aspects — managing social media and online reviews.
“One review from someone who may have never even been here, but has something to say based on a picture, can cause a big deal,” she said.
Reviews, both positive and negative, can influence public perception, which is why managing customer feedback can be especially stressful for small business owners.
“Find a trusted mentor to walk you through it,” they advised. “Opening a restaurant is one of the hardest businesses you can pursue. You want people who have gone through that process before you. Plus, owning a restaurant will take most of your time, and it will cost more than what you prepare for.”
As time passed, the couple faced the reality that managing The Porter House while juggling other ventures became increasingly difficult. Both Brandy and Casey had other business commitments, with Casey managing a construction company and Brandy working as a realtor. The demands of the restaurant business were overwhelming, as it requires not only a substantial time commitment but also consistent support from the community to thrive.
Despite their best efforts, they found it too hard to balance these responsibilities alongside the restaurant. Ultimately, they made the difficult decision to close The Porter House, choosing to focus on their other businesses and spend more time with their family.
The couple shared that one of their favorite aspects of running The Porter House was getting to know the families who visited, especially the regulars. “It wasn’t just one specific memory,” they said, “but the joy of spending time with those families and creating a space where local elderly residents felt welcome and cared for.”
One particularly heartwarming memory was when the restaurant was busy, and guests with empty seats at their tables would invite strangers to join them. “Almost every time, they’d say yes, and by the end of the meal, they’d share a wonderful dinner together!”
Editor’s Note: This story is a reflection on the journey of The Porter House and the effort it takes to run a small business. It is a reminder of the passion, hard work, and resilience required to make a dream come to life — and why it is essential to support small businesses in our communities. Below is a list of just a few local businesses in Tulsa, ranging from barbershops to boutiques featuring handmade jewelry from around the world, along with unique gifts and accessories.
| Business Name | Location |
| Black Moth | 1142 S Harvard Ave, Tulsa, OK 74112 |
| Family Thai Restaurant | 2623 E 11th St, Tulsa, OK 74104 |
| The Donut Hole | 3305 S Peoria Ave, Tulsa, OK 74105 |
| Colors of Etnika | 10 E Archer St Suite 1-101, Tulsa, OK 74103 |
| Tonsorial Barbershop | 416 E 11th St, Tulsa, OK 74120 |
| Mother Road Market | 1124 S Lewis Ave, Tulsa, OK 74104 |
| The Vintage Pearl | 108 N Boulder Ave, Tulsa, OK 74103 |
| Collaborative Coffee | 4532 E 51st Suite E, Tulsa, OK 74135 |