Oakley's Grille Serves Up Quality Food, Quality Service

Keith Oakley said it only made sense to open a business in New Tampa.

“It’s the area of growth,” he said. “Go where it’s happening.”

Oakley and his family did just that on June 22. That's when Oakley's Grille threw open its doors at 17631 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Their mantra is that “great food should be made with natural, wholesome ingredients.”

The eatery's bill of fare includes hot-pressed sandwiches, half-pound Black Angus hamburgers, blackened tilapia, fresh salads and Philly sandwiches made with ribeye or chicken. While customers walk up to the counter to order, dine-in eaters have their food brought to them and their beverages refilled.

Oakley, of Wimauma, opened the business after spending nearly 40 years in the corporate restaurant world as an assistant manager, regional supervisor and, for the last four years, as a restaurant consultant. He estimates he has opened 100 restaurants over the years – including Steak and Ale, Chili’s and Longhorn locations -- yet this is his first experience opening his own eatery.

“You try to prove you can do it on your own,” Oakley said when asked why he was striking out on his own after so many years. He said it's nice to be doing something on a smaller scale for a change. “When you get so big, you lose touch with employees, guests.”

Oakley’s Grille does not serve fast food, but it serves food relatively fast. High-quality meats are sliced in-house daily, the produce is fresh and there are no microwaves or heat lamps, Oakley said.

“It’s not as quick as Subway but quicker than Chili’s,” he said. “It’s not three to five minutes, but it’s not 15 to 17 minutes.”

The business is situated north of Highwoods Preserve Parkway on the northbound side of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Highway construction has left a plethora of orange cones out front, though access is still possible to the plaza.

“The whole area is down 30-40% in business because of the construction,” Oakley said, "but it’s a mental block for people more than anything.”

However, things are going well for Oakley's Grille regardless. Oakley said he has heard more positive superlatives and experienced more returning customers so far than many of the corporate locations he has opened.

While Oakley’s Grille is a business, Oakley said the shop is more than just about making money.

“I’m into people first rather than numbers,” he said.

More Information

Address: 17631 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Website: www.oakleysgrille.com
Phone: (813) 523-5075