Founded in 1938, Jess & Jim's has been ranked numerous times by national publications as one of the best steakhouses in the United States.

[1] Jess & Jim's originally opened for business in April 1938, near the corner of 135th Street and Holmes Road in Martin City, Missouri, near the location that is now occupied by Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue.

After a short time, Jess Kincaid got married and sold his share of the business to Jim Wright; however, his name "Jess" in the restaurant name remained as a lasting reminder of his contributions and friendship with Jim Wright.

The tornado destroyed the original Jess & Jim's building, but the owner's parakeet survived unharmed.

Before Jess & Jim's moved into its current home, the building housed a pharmacy downstairs and Huffy's roller rink on the upper level.