Mike and Simone Tolley hope their second restaurant will have the same family friendly reputation as their first.
The owners of Uncle Mike’s Steakhouse Grill of Brandon have worked for two years to earn that reputation, and they will bring it closer to home when they open Uncle Mike’s in Plant City.
Mike has 11 brothers and sisters — translating to 49 nieces and nephews — earning the restaurant its name. But it’s not just the name that gives off a wholesome vibe.
Children flock to the fish tanks inside and birds outside for a look. The monthly entertainment is also quite a draw.
“Our restaurant is family driven and family oriented,” Mike said. “In Brandon, it was easy, because it was missing that homegrown atmosphere. In Plant City, we want to continue that.”
The new restaurant will open in the old Cowboys location, 106 S.R. 60 E. With plenty of space for activities, the owners plan to use the arena for outdoor concerts, quarterly events and arena events. The store is slated to open Aug. 8 and will employ 45 people.
The Tolleys are making some changes to the way the restaurant will operate in Plant City. They are planning a bigger menu, made possible by a larger kitchen.
They also are renovating the building, adjusting the outdoor pavilion for events and cutting out the stage to add a buffet line and more dining space.
But the dance floor is remaining. Simone, who is originally from California, plans to teach line dancing and has danced professionally. For years, she taught line dancing with a city program. In college, she was even a Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader.
Mike has had more than 10 years of experience with the restaurant industry. He moved in 1980, from Illinois to Florida. After graduating from Hillsborough High School, he joined the U.S. Marines and traveled all over Asia. His favorite stop was South Korea, because of its food and culture.
After the service, Mike returned to Tampa and started his career in restaurants. He met Simone after she graduated with a degree in marketing, from the University of Tampa.
Together, the Tolleys were involved with several different hospitality projects throughout the Tampa Bay Area, including The Venue, a St. Petersburg sushi and steakhouse eatery, a couple of smaller restaurants in Ybor City and a martini bar, in Ruskin.
The couple moved to Plant City about three years ago. At the time, the couple had been buying and remodeling homes. When they visited their friends in Plant City, they fell in love with the community and knew they wanted to make their home here.
“It’s a lot like where I come from — small town in Illinois,” Mike said.
Starting their Brandon location two-and-one-half years ago, the Tolleys wanted to expand into Plant City, because it was closer to their home.
They are expecting their first child in September. But they’re keeping the gender a secret from their friends, family, customers and employees.
“There’s a pool going on,” Mike said.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
