Brandon Twp.- For years, Mark Devereaux passed the plaza located at the corner of Oakhill and Sashabaw roads and thought it would be a great location for a restaurant.
Now, the idea has become a reality.
Mark and his wife, Robin Devereaux, township residents, opened Oakhill Cafe & Grille at 5500 Oakhill Road on Sept. 9.
‘We thought for awhile that maybe it wasn’t meant to be,? said Robin, also director of Safe Harbor Community Services in Pontiac. ‘We faced some obstacles, but pulled it off.?
Mark, a construction company owner and carpenter, built the interior of the restaurant from the tile floor up to the wood beams on the ceiling. Wood trim frames the windows in the 2200 square foot cafe that features six roomy booths and several tables.
Robin, who has 30 years experience as a waitress, styled the menu at Oakhill Cafe & Grille from former restaurants she worked at, including the Phoenix Coney Island in Macomb. The family dining restaurant specializes in homestyle cooking, using fresh, high quality ingredients.
Breakfast is served anytime at Oakhill Cafe and there are specials all week long. Fish is freshly battered at the restaurant, soup is homemade, hamburger is ground fresh everyday from Jim’s Cracker Barrel next door, hot dogs have natural casings, and pork chops, chicken and biscuits and gravy are all proving to be popular orders.
‘Our quality and atmosphere sets us apart,? said Mark.
The business is a family affair, with Mark and Robin joined by their children Mark David and Jenea. Daughter Jennifer McCarthy manages the restaurant and they are looking forward to their son-in-law joining them as head cook once he beats his battle with cancer.
The Devereauxs also employ five staff.
‘We have good food in a nice comfortable atmosphere,? Mark said. ‘When you come, bring your appetite. We have large portion sizes and a wonderful waitstaff.?