Oakley's Mike's Beef 'n' Brew Highlighted

Name of Business: Mike's Beef 'n' Brew

Type of business: Restaurant

Owners: Mike Fagan

Founded: March 2009

Address: 2085 Main Street, Oakley

Phone number: 625-0292

Hours: 7 a.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday

Number of employees: 5

Products and services: American style bar and grill featuring breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant features omelettes, blueberry waffles, burgers, stuffed bacon and Gorgonzola cheeseburger, ball tip sandwich, 17 oz. New York steak, pork chops, prime rib and burger steak. Full service bar with house wine and domestic beer and appetizers.

Mike's Beef 'n' Brew also offers a variety of fish and pasta daily specials.

How did you get into the business: Fagan's has owned several other restaurants in the past including one at this location. "Mike's back," Fagan said. "People have been really happy to hear that."

Best part about the business: "I've really missed the customers here," Fagan said. "Everyone telling me that they are happy to see me back is a nice feeling. Knowing that they want to have me here is important to me."

Worst part about the business: "No worst part. I love being in the restaurant business, especially in a small atmosphere like this," he said.

Key to success: "Quality of the food and service is important. If you don't maintain those elements you don't retain the customer base," Fagan said. "I think it is important to be able to make the food customized to the customers taste. That's the great thing about being in a operation like this is that you have the freedom to cook whatever you want."

Biggest misperception about the business: Mike's Beef 'n' Brew is a little different than his previous restaurant at this location "Fagans" because he is putting more emphasis on the bar and grill flavor. There is no longer a children's menu at the restaurant and they are staying open later offering Karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights and offer TV night Wednesdays where the martinis are $5 each.

Future plans: During the month of April Mike's Beef 'n' Brew along with a couple of other area restaurants are helping the Relay For Life fundraiser by hosting a Karaoke Contest. The contest is open to anyone over 18 who want to participate. Trials for the contest are located at Mike's Beef 'n' Brew on Friday and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to midnight. There is a $10 entry fee to participate. Finals are being held in the parking lot in front of Mike's Beef 'n' Brew on April 25 and 26. For more details call the restaurant.