On a semi-regular basis, the Napa Valley Register’s Business Focus features “Business Benchmarks” for local entrepreneurs marking a milestone in Napa County. Readers are welcome to suggest a business that is celebrating five, 10, 15, 20, 25 or more years in business.

Name: Jonesy’s Famous Steak House

Location: Napa Airport, 2044 Airport Road

Years of ownership: 30

Jonesy’s Famous Steak House is not a fly-by-night operation.

The eatery, located at the Napa Airport, is the oldest restaurant in Napa, according to owner Bill Tuthill.

Jonesy’s was founded in 1946 by Hugh Jones and has been owned since 1977 by Tuthill  — who is celebrating 30 years as the owner of the airport restaurant. He joined in the venture with two partners, whom he has since bought out. His daughter Connie Cavallero was his first business manager. She has since retired.

The restaurant’s expansive windows facing the runway gives diners clear unobstructed views of private jets landing and taking off from the airport.

“This is really popular with kids,” Bill Tuthill, 85, said.

The secret to their longevity? “Good food. Good steaks,” said Tuthill. “We don’t precook anything.”

His son, Jack Tuthill takes care of all the meat — from buying, to cutting to dry aging it. “We even grind our hamburger meat,” the elder Tuthill added.

The steak is flat grilled with seasoned river rocks on top to sear in all the natural juices and flavors.

As most Napans know, the most popular item on the menu is the steak for two with grated potatoes and cheese, topped with grilled onions — which out-sell steak and baked potato by a ratio of three to one. The Kennebec grilled potatoes are grated fresh daily.

No one has to have a beef with Jonesy’s.

If you’re not a meat lover, the airport eatery also offers broasted chicken — one of the few places in town to offer it on the menu, said Bill Tuthill. They also offer fresh oysters twice a week and have a full line of seafood.

Not only do Napans know about Jonesy’s — but so does the rest of the world. Bill Tuthill estimated they average about 2,000 customers per week.

This Mother’s Day 600 to 1,000 people will eat at Jonesy’s, estimated Bill’s son, Jack Tuthill.

“Jonesy’s is the place businesspeople come to cut deals,” said Jack Tuthill, 56, operations manager for the restaurant. “Businesspeople write on the white paper atop the white tablecloths,” he added. They then tear off the section and take with them to seal their deal.

Besides locals and deal makers, Jonesy’s is popular with celebrities like actor John Wayne, former governor Jerry Brown, Bette Midler, Robert Redford, Goldie Hawn and her husband Kurt Russell.

“A lot of them come here so they won’t be bothered,” Jack Tuthill said. “They want privacy.”

“I’ve been working with my dad since I was 5 years old,” said Jack Tuthill. It goes back to when the father and son operated Napa Valley Produce — bringing fresh fruits and vegetables to customers from the San Francisco Produce Market.

Jonesy’s can seat about 175 people and can offer up to four different banquet room set ups.

The restaurant was remodeled about two years ago and now includes a full bar. Burgundy carpet, cherry wood chairs and a see-through fire place in the center of the room offer a comfortable feel to customers.

Today, Hugh Jones’ granddaughter, Melissa Cortez works at the restaurant as a waitress. Bill Tuthill’s grandson Matt Cavallero, who is going to community college, works at the restaurant part time.

Prior to buying Jonesy’s, Bill Tuthill owned Napa Valley Produce from the late 1940s to the late 1970s.

Jonesy’s Famous Steakhouse is opens at 10 a.m., seven days a week. They recently began serving breakfast from 10 a.m. to noon and expanded business by being open on Mondays. Jonesy’s employs about 40 people.

Has your business reached a benchmark? Contact Mike Treleven at mtreleven@napanews.com or 256-2211.