By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
Big Mike’s Steakhouse will soon begin the reconstruction of the former Welcome Food Pantry on Main Street, Millbrook. It is expected to be operational later this year. The building will become the home of the restaurant, known for its legendary steaks, and popular dishes.
Six months ago, Mayor Al Kelley and council members were discussing tearing down the old building but wanted to try to save the original Mural completed on the building last a couple of years ago. Instead, the original Cook’s Pharmacy building will have new life, a new look, and the mural will be preserved.
The formal announcement was made today at the location, with Kelley saying, “This is probably the worst kept secret in the world.”
The three original partners were present today and they are Mike Cole, Scott Powell and Caine Conway, as well as other associates. Millbrook is the newest announced location to the franchise. The original is in Thomasville, but others include Andalusia, Orange Beach, Moundville, Auburn, and Guntersville.
The company’s website says there is nothing like the taste of a wood-fire grilled steak, seasoned and cooked to perfection with the tenderness to be cut with a fork but deserving of the almighty steak knife. The smells and slightly smoky flavor stir great memories of cooking on the backyard grill with family and friends while enjoying this great American tradition of eating steak.
Per the website, “great steak has been called “one of the best things in the world” and those of us with a carnivorous spirit in us absolutely agree. For this lofty praise we are not talking about the mass produced beef served by the large chain steak restaurants who call themselves steakhouses. Instead a claim like this is usually reserved for steaks served by those big city expensive steakhouses where everything is sold a-la-carte and high prices make suitable for only a rare visit for very special occasions or on a company expense account.”
The owners said they are proud to bring the “best thing in the world” steak eating experience to the people in small towns without the expense or drive that goes along with the big city steakhouses. Big Mike’s is famous for high quality steaks cooked to perfection on a wood-fired grill served in a relaxed rustic atmosphere in rural towns that have not previously been able to enjoy this type of true steakhouse experience.
Big Mike’s Steakhouse was Alabama’s Best Steak By Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. It was also recently named as one of the top nine steakhouses in the state.
We will have much more information on this announcement in future articles. Below are two frequently asked questions about the business.
Private Parties & Catering
Want to host a private event at one of our restaurants? Want us to cater an event for you? We do it all! We would love to host your next event at one of our locations! And if you want us to bring the food to you, it’s not a problem! We even have a custom grill so that we can grill wherever we want! Give us a call for more information!
Join our team!
Interested in joining the Big Mike’s Staff? Just stop in and ask for an application! Even if we are full staff at the time, we are always accepting applications! Or, head to the top of our home page and select the PRINTABLE FORMS dropdown arrow! You can print out an application there!
The History of Big Mike’s Steakhouse
Big Mike’s Steakhouse is the vision of three friends, Mike Cole, Scott Powell, and Caine Conway. Big Mike is an experienced Chef and Restaurant Manager with ten years of steakhouse experience who had a vision for opening steakhouses in rural towns to provide a quality alternative for people who were tired of having to drive hours to get to the big city to enjoy a great steak. Scott and Caine shared in Mike’s vision and brought their combined thirty plus years of business ownership experience to the team. Together the three friends began planning for their own steakhouse and when they found the location in Thomasville, Alabama they knew that it was time to start the business.
Today you can find all three of them working in the restaurant most days. Mike manages the kitchen and is the creative force behind the menu and the food. Scott and Caine focus on the front of house and administrative functions of the restaurant and can be found greeting and talking with customers in the dining room and the bar.
Today’s Big Mike’s Steakhouse’s success can be seen through its raving reviews, steady business during the week and long lines on Friday and Saturday. We are the place to go for a great steak, a special meal or a night out with friends. We have also had a number of our customers inquire about opening their own Big Mike’s Steakhouse, which led us to launch our franchise program.
Big Mike’s has been more than these three friends ever expected, with enough lessons to fill a book. In fact, that is what they are doing as part of the franchise program. All facets of the business have been documented from real estate to restaurant operations to human resources and beyond so that our franchisees can learn from our successes and our struggles. It is the assurance for our franchisees that they are in business for themselves but not by themselves.
Learn more about Big Mike’s Steakhouse on their website: www.bigmikessteakhouse.com
