The Phoenix rises in former barbecue eatery

Almost as abruptly as he decided to close Missouri Mike’s BBQ & More last month, owner Mike Hickman has quickly returned to the restaurant scene.

In his former barbecue restaurant location at 2833 W. Chestnut Expressway, Hickman has opened The Phoenix Diner Bar and Grille. The restaurant had a soft opening yesterday in advance of its first day of lunch today.

“We are just doing lunch today and depending on how that goes, we’ll see what we open tomorrow,” he said. “We’ve got local fare, we’ve got international-inspired stuff, we’ve got steakhouse items, diner items. The menu is fun, and it’s got a lot of variety.”

Hickman’s decision to launch The Phoenix – a name he said has some symbolism as something rising from the ashes – comes after he announced on Facebook the April 27 closing of Missouri Mike’s, a restaurant that debuted in 2020, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

Hickman said upon closing, he intended to sell the business and subsequently laid off his staff. He began interviewing potential buyers and cleaning up the Missouri Mike’s space.

“As I’m doing that, even though the barbecue restaurant had put me in a substantial amount of debt, I wasn’t ready to get out of the food industry,” he said, declining to disclose financials. “When you walk in, it is not Missouri Mike’s anymore. Missouri Mike’s is gone in the wind. We may bring back some of the barbecue for catering only or as specials here and there.”

While declining to disclose startup costs or lease terms with Wehr Properties, Hickman said he was able to hire back all 10 of the staff members he had when Missouri Mike’s closed last month. He said The Phoenix, which is still awaiting signage, is focused on serving customers at tables instead of the former restaurant’s counter service practice.

“It’s not going to be elevated to the point where it’s uncomfortable, but if you want to come in after the lake wearing a tank top and your shorts, you’re welcome,” he said. “And if you want to dress up a notch and come in for a date night, by all means do that as well. We’ll be able to handle it either way.”

Steaks, pasta, prime rib and sandwiches are among menu options at The Phoenix, which also has a 36-item salad bar. Dishes include a porterhouse pork chop, red snapper, fried chicken livers and a blackened Cajun shrimp alfredo.

Hickman said he plans to hire roughly six more employees for front of house before opening the restaurant regularly for lunch and dinner service.

The other location of Missouri Mike’s, 1724 E. Battlefield Road, closed last year after a 2021 launch, according to past reporting. He also consulted for Deli Mike’s, a sandwich shop that shuttered last year after roughly four months in business.