Terrell Jackson (Images: Alex Garland for CHS)

Terrell Jackson was busy so we’ll leave it to a mother’s pride to describe what it feels like for her family’s business to come home.

“He brought it back with our name on it,” Evelyn Jackson told CHS Wednesday night inside the new home of Jackson’s Catfish Corner at 123 21st Ave S.

“He’s the man.”

The legendary Central District restaurant that fell on hard times — the family sold it to friends who “didn’t stick to the recipe” Evelyn says — and started on a journey of new locations has reopened in the former cafe space at 21st and Yesler complete with its menu of fried catfish, hush puppies, and Soul Food delights.

CHS documented the sad end for the Catfish Corner at MLK and Cherry in the summer of 2014. Some of the spirit was revived by the end of 2015 when Capitol Hill club and business owner Marcus Lalario opened Fat’s Chicken and Waffles in the space the Corner left behind.

Now, the restaurant, started by the Jacksons in the 1980s, has been reborn less than a mile away by Terrell who, his mom said, started working at the Catfish Corner when he was 13.

Jackson’s Catfish Corner is located at 123 21st Ave S and is open daily 11 AM to 9 PM. You can learn more on its Facebook page.