10/31/2026
🍳☕ Some restaurants serve great meals. Others make you feel like family. Proud Mary's has always done both. ❤️
Since opening in 1977, Proud Mary's has been a beloved Dana Point Harbor gathering place, serving hearty breakfasts, waterfront lunches, and nearly 50 years of memories around the table. 🌊
Founded by Mary Merrill and purchased by Steve Zdrakas in 2005, Proud Mary's has weathered plenty, including a devastating fire in 2007. Through it all, its welcoming spirit has endured.
But ask us what makes Proud Mary's truly special, and our answer isn't the food or even those beautiful Harbor views. It's Steve. ❤️
Steve is simply one of the kindest people you'll ever meet. He's the type who invites you to lunch not because he has an agenda, but because he genuinely wants to share a meal, catch up, and connect. There's something pretty special about that.
That generosity extends to his team. Steve is a tireless advocate for his employees, often connecting them with other local restaurants when they're looking for additional hours. He's even championed job applicants he couldn't hire himself, helping other businesses discover great people.
That's Steve: a connector, a champion of his team, and someone who knows hospitality is about so much more than what's on the menu. 🤝
Proud Mary's may be a family-owned restaurant, but the sense of family extends far beyond its ownership. It's reflected in the people who work there, the customers who return year after year, and the relationships built across generations.
As Proud Mary's serves its final guests at its longtime Harbor location today, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Steve, his family, and the entire team for decades of kindness, friendship, and community. 💙
Nearly 50 years of meals and memories is an incredible legacy. But perhaps the greatest legacy is how they've made people feel. ⚓❤️