A couple of years have passed, but Mike ‘Mikie? Albarkat has finally returned to the restaurant business in the Clarkston area with his own place, Mikie’s Roosters and Ribs.
Albarkat, 47, tried franchising a Kenny Rogers Roasters in Clarkston for several years until the company folded nationwide in 1997. Over the next eight years, Albarkat saved and prepared, until July 2005 when he and his family opened their own restaurant on Sashabaw Road in Independence Township.
Albarkat said he knew he wanted to serve meals with chicken and ribs because there were not many places in the area for people to get that type of meal in a short amount of time. At the new restaurant, Albarkat serves a variety of chicken dinners similar to his previous franchise, but with the addition of ribs, seafood and Mediterranean foods such as hommous.
‘We added more middle eastern food? which is really going good. A lot of people will appreciate the fact that we have that,? said Albarkat.
In addition to being a sit down or take-out restaurant, Mikie’s offers a catering service. Albarkast said the decision to cater came as a response to people calling from offices and ordering for large numbers of people.
‘We came up with a simple menu where we can accommodate a small party or a big party, from 10 people to 200 people, in a very short time,? said Albarkat.
Albarkat said he came to the Untied States in 1979 from his home in Jordan, becoming a US citizen in 1984. Right away, Albarkat began working in the restaurant business, going from working at fast-food places to owning his own franchise.
‘I’m an outgoing person. I just love people and I thought to connect with people there’s nothing better than serving them hospitality in restaurant ways,? said Albarkat. ‘Where we come from, when we cater for someone, we treat them with respect. We just want to be good neighbors and treat everybody like a family.?
Albarkat said his wife Rhonda, who works as a safety specialist for Krogers, helps out with the new business by straightening out everyone else.
‘She keeps us in line,? he joked.
Albarkat and his wife have five children. The oldest, Shariff, 22, works at the restaurant, while the youngest two ? Kitty, 10, and Sayf, 7 ? help out when they can. Albarkat’s middle children ? Colby, 20, and Cheyenne, 19 ? are currently away at college.
The tables in Mikie’s are covered in notes with inspirational thoughts printed on them. Albarkat said his wife and kids came up with idea, so that customers have something to read when eating or waiting for food.
Mikie’s Roosters and Ribs is located at 6315 Sashabaw Road in Independepence Township. Open seven days a week, hours are 11a.m.-9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and Noon-7 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information or to place and order, call 248-620-4444.