Husband-and-wife duo Justin and Channa Jones have been serving up their version of American classics since they opened 11|17 in March 2018 at Stonebridge Drive and US 380. The Joneses said there was a lack of locally owned restaurants on the west side of McKinney, so they decided to open their own place. Justin, who has more than 20 years of cooking experience in the restaurant industry, said they took the concept from a cafe he worked at through college and improved upon it. The menu at 11|17 consists of comfort foods, such as chicken-fried steak and meatloaf, in addition to soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches. The restaurant also offers an extensive drink menu. Justin said he uses simple recipes and makes them using the best ingredients available. Channa said the attention to quality is something that sets them apart from the competition. “We [make] everything from scratch, and we just try to use the best ingredients, and we do the same thing in our cocktails,” she said. “We make our own simple syrup and bloody mary mix, and you don’t find that a lot of places.” The Joneses said the name 11|17 is a tribute to their children because it is a combination of their birthdays. The number 1,117 also has many positive meanings according to different spiritualities, Channa said, and it embodies their mission to put positive energy into the world. Another main focus for 11|17 is giving back to the community. The restaurant frequently hosts events and fundraisers to support the community, its members and local schools, Channa said. Artwork by McKinney Boyd High School students can be seen on display in the restaurant and is available to purchase directly from the students. “We want to support this community; we want to give back to this community; and to me, it’s our job,” Justin said.