Keysa Smith with her 2024 Restaurant of the Year Award.
Last November, Flint & Genesee Group named Spectacular Spudz, a restaurant that specializes in gourmet “loaded” baked potatoes, was recognized as 2024 Restaurant of the Year at the 10th Annual Art of Achievement Awards event. Held at the FIM Capitol Theatre in Downtown Flint, the ceremony was attended by nearly 700 people. Awards were given to 17 organizations, businesses and individuals who are making a positive impact in Greater Flint.
“When they called my name, I was in shock!” exclaims Keysa Smith, Owner. “The award means a lot to me, a reward for my labor of love.”
Born and raised in Flint, Smith lived in Los Angeles, CA for a while, but was happy to return to the place she calls home. “Being a chef and owning my own restaurant has always been my dream since I was a child,” she says.
There were a few ups and downs before that dream came to fruition. Smith spent four and a half years in federal prison. “I had some mess ups along the way; but while I was gone, I started to work toward becoming the woman I always wanted to be,” she shares.
Smith made plans to further her education and enrolled at Mott Community College to study restaurant management in the Culinary Arts program. She went on to attend the University of Michigan-Flint, earning a degree in communications.
Joined by members of the Flint & Genesee Chamber, Keysa proudly cut the ribbon at her Downtown location, 131 W. Second St., in the spring of 2023.
In October 2014, the potato eatery started out small – in a booth at the Flint Farmers’ Market. It became very popular and then moved to a larger booth at the Market to meet customer demand. In 2018, Spectacular Spudz was honored by the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce as the Minority Owned Business of the Year. Five years later, Smith’s dream came true when she opened her very own brick and mortar restaurant in the ELGA Credit Union building next to Buckham Gallery in Downtown Flint. The restaurant has seating for 32 people, including the bar – Smith obtained a liquor license in December 2023.
After obtaining her booth at the Flint Farmers’ Market, Smith started brainstorming about what type of food she wanted to serve. She thought about how, as a kid, her family would visit the Potato Patch restaurant that was located in the old Windmill Place. “I got to thinking that there was so much you can do with potatoes – who doesn’t like potatoes?” she recalls. And, it’s the simple and freshly-baked potatoes topped with something for everyone that keep customers coming back time and time again.
“I got to thinking that there was so much you can do with potatoes – who doesn’t like potatoes?”
Keysa Smith
According to Smith, the most popular potato topping is the Chicken Alfredo sauce, which has a distinct flavor and is made with simple, high-quality ingredients. “Our Alfredo sauce is to die for!” she exclaims. “It has only about five ingredients and needs hours to cook.” The Alfredo is so delicious, she has plans in the works to bottle it and sell it. “It’s really that good.” Another favorite is the Meat Lover’s potato topped with steak, bacon, chicken and shrimp. “Our shrimp scampi topping is really good, too,” the owner states, “and our salmon scampi is also delicious.” Other faves include the chicken, bacon & ranch and broccoli & cheese toppings.
The Spectacular Spudz menu now includes a variety of appetizers.
The Spectacular Spudz menu recently expanded with a variety of “Shareables” – appetizers including chicken wings, beef birria nachos, signature fries topped with turkey chili, cheese and red onion, and Brussels sprouts topped with shaved Parmesan and bacon. “They are the best!” the owner boasts. The restaurant also offers a full bar menu and has become well known for their craft cocktails.
“I want to inspire kids to dream big. I was just a small-city girl with a big-city dream, and my dream came true!” Keysa Smith
(L-R) Keysa was joined by her brother-in-law Alex Kadie, sister Natalie Kadie and sister Nariah Moore, who is a bartender at Spudz.
Smith was extremely honored to have Spectacular Spudz named Restaurant of the Year, the result of years of hard work and determination on her part. Her hope is to motivate Flint kids by example. “I want them to know that whether they live in poverty or not, are black or white, I want them to know there is always a light at the end of the tunnel,” she says. “I want to inspire kids to dream big. I was just a small-city girl with a big-city dream – and my dream came true!”
