Steak and Catfish Barn evolved from Italian Kitchen that started in 1998. Maria Vitale from Italy, Dino- Dean Smalley from Germany, raised in Lawton OK, moved back from New Jersey in 1998 to start Italian Kitchen where the Waterloo location is now. Both being Italian chefs, we had Italian Kitchen from 1998 to 2004- open in the evening only. The change occurred when they (Dino and Maria) wanted to try opening for lunch. In April 2004 they changed the name to what Oklahoma is all about, Steak and Catfish Barn. Lunch was packed every day, and the night crowd continued. Catfish is our specialty, but we have always had a great steak business.