We were lucky to catch up with Dexter Huewitt recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dexter, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Day to day the world can seem like a tough place, but there’s also so much kindness in the world and we think talking about that kindness helps spread it and make the world a nicer, kinder place. Can you share a story of a time when someone did something really kind for you?

I am a Louisiana Native, I worked in the Casino business for decades, one of my favorite customers was Todd Tonoroe. Over the years we became family. Covid shutdown Louisiana and I was at home living off my savings. I reached out to him for employment, he offered me a Bar manager position in his Mexican restaurant, i accepted the offer. We had lunch one day and discussed his vision on opening a wine bar. I of course had a different vision. A that Moment The Vault Seafood Steakhouse was born.
We have expanded three times. We have 4 total bars, a cigar lounge, and now a speakeasy.
God has been amazing to me. Todd took a chance on me when other did not!
Thanks to him my dream became a reality.
In short i would tell everyone treat people with kindness, you never know who will be the person God uses to bless you through

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

The Vault Seafood & Steakhouse is a destination venue. Where an amazing ambiance is partnered with five star customer service with exceptional dishes. We are not pretentious at all, you can come in jeans or your Sundays best.
The staff is very friendly, attentive, and engaged in your overall experience.
In 1993 I joined the Marines, coming home for leave one weekend, I decided to walk around a local mall, I walked by a restaurant and a manager approached me about a job opportunity. I accepted and that began my culinary journey.
In 1994 I began working at Horseshoe Casino. Jack Binion was the owner. He was customer driven, meaning he focused on making the guest happy at all times. He always gave us the best training to help us elevate our service. I began my career as a server, moved up to head server, left to become a casino host for a while where I learned the important ace of catering to VIPS. Returned to the restaurant worked my way up to assist manger, General Manager, Senior Food and beverage Manager, finally Director of Food and beverage.
In my spare time i developed a passion for cooking. We had several restaurants in our Casino and amazing chefs, so I learned from all of them. We had Jack Binions steakhouse, Tuscany (Italian). A buffet, diner, and Four Winds an Asian restaurant. My mother was instrumental in me learning to put love in my dishes. In my spare time i became a private chef. In my last casino job I opened Jimmy Buffets first steakhouse at Margariville, Jimmys Seafood &Steakhouse.
Offering excellent service, great food, and making the customer feel like they are the only person in the room is my M.O. and has been for 3 decades.
I have won several awards from the casino level, to the city level.
I love to ask this question to my guests : Do you want a meal or do you want an experience that will last a lifetime? It’s always a lifetime
Now I am The Executive Chef and Managing Partner for The Vault Seafood & Steakhouse.
Todd and his family are my partners.
God is phenomenal! I give him all the praise for what He is doing.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

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My niece passed away June 2015 from cancer. She was more of a daughter to me. She wanted to have a 5K in Mansfield to raise awareness, at the time i was living in Shreveport, Louisiana .
Something came over my spirit and i decided to walk to walk.
I left six days before the event 250 miles west from Shreveport on highway 80.
I met several special people on the journey and raised about $7500 for her foundation.
It was hot and dry however I was driven by a staement Raven use to always tell me, Unc I don’t have cancer it has me, it will not destroy who I am or my mission. I never gave up I took it one step at at an a time and I made it. To God Be The Glory

How’d you meet your business partner?

The year was 1995, I was a waiter in the Branding Iron Steakhouse, I waited on The VIPs and corporate officers.
We were having a golf tournament with some of the Cowboy legends.
They experienced a sudden thunderstorm and had a bad day at the casino, The golfers were upset and the players were not happy.
I set my large table in The Private Dining Room.
I pour my water before they arrive so I can give them my spill.
Welcome to the Steakhouse my name is Dexter I will be taking care of you tonight. No response, I repeated myself 3 times. Now my Marine is coming out, I Keep a Kabar in my boots, I took it out threw it in the air, caught it and it landed between the fingers of Todd, my future business partner. He response was wow that was cool, after that I won the room and they had a great dinner later went to the casino floor and won some money.
Todd and I grew a friendship over the years to come

Contact Info:

• Website: TheVaultmansfield
• Instagram: The vault seafood and steakhouse
• Facebook: The Vault seafood and steakhouse
• Youtube: Thevault seafood and steakhouse
• Yelp: The vault seafood and steakhouse