In 1965, a bartender at East Dearborn's old Scenic Gardens named Terry Kiernan decided to strike out on his own. The son of Irish immigrant parents, Terry had long dreamed of owning his own establishment, and with his purchase of the Patio Grill on Michigan Avenue, his dream became a reality. He quickly changed the bar's name to Kiernan's Steak House and began serving burgers, frozen shrimp, sirloins, and filets.

The new establishment quickly became popular and prosperous, enabling the purchase of adjoining buildings and businesses in 1977. A hair salon, a bookstore, and a greasy spoon called "Henry's Fine Dining" made way for what is now Kiernan's dining room. By this point, a second generation was involved in the business, and family members busied themselves refurbishing both the original and new spaces, down to finishing most of the interior woodwork themselves.

In 1984, Kiernan's expanded once again, purchasing the building at the corner of Michigan and Monroe - at the time an auto supply store - which became a banquet facility.

Now, nearly forty years since its creation, hundreds of metropolitan Detroit families have made Kiernan's Steak House part of their own family traditions, having celebrated thousands of wedding receptions, showers, birthday parties, and anniversaries within its walls. Generations of repeat customers have been drawn back by Kiernans' delicious food, comfortable atmosphere, and unerring attention to quality service.

Now a fixture in the history of downtown Dearborn, Kiernan's stands by its tradition of excellence - but it is never afraid to try something new. As of 2003, the banquet facility has been transformed into Silky's Music & Martini Cafe - a comfortable and sophisticated lounge and live music venue, offering first-class entertainment five nights a week.

A third generation has joined Terry's children Dan, Pat, Karen, and Kevin in the business, as Dan's son and Kevin's two daughters have joined the Kiernan's team. As always, Kiernan's Steak House and its new counterpart Silky's remain family businesses imbued with family pride - you will always find at least one, and usually more, Kiernan family members on the premises, working hard to ensure that every visitor enjoys a pleasurable, memorable experience.