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Local man passionate about 2nd career at restaurant

Mike Akers, owner of Blazin’ Akers BBQ, shows off a rack of ribs and the sides that come with one of the meals served at the restaurant. Akers says he is fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning his own restaurant, after retiring from his former job.
Mike Akers, owner of Blazin’ Akers BBQ, shows off a rack of ribs and the sides that come with one of the meals served at the restaurant. Akers says he is fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning his own restaurant, after retiring from his former job. Photo by Rebecca Sandlin.

Huntington native Michael Akers put 25 years in as a process engineer at PHD, but becoming a restaurateur was his passion.

After he retired in early May, his passion became a reality.

“I’ve always wanted to do this. This has been a dream of owning my own little diner,” he says.

He purchased the former Baxter’s restaurant building three years ago and after a “soft” opening in early October, he had a grand opening on Nov. 15.

Akers largely worked on putting the eatery together himself, finding equipment and interior furnishings at sales, auctions and other places. He isn’t entirely new to the restaurant business, having been partners with Bruce and Candace Lemke, who own a barbecue place in Columbia City. But where that business is strictly a barbecue cooker, Blazin’ Akers BBQ has a full menu of food available.

The meat smoker uses all hardwoods, mostly sugar maple and fruitwoods such as cherry and apple. Akers smokes up brisket, ribs, pulled pork and occasionally a chicken as a daily special. But that isn’t all that can be ordered from the diner’s menu.

“We have steaks, shrimp, pork sirloin, roasted chicken. We have probably the best fish in town, a nice Pacific cod,” he says. “We have hand-breaded tenderloin, burgers and pulled chicken sandwiches. And we’ll do special soups. We’ve got a brisket soup and a chili. And of course, we have our nachos, which are made with pulled pork. We offer a full salad bar, and we have some ice cream desserts. Old-fashioned sundaes, banana splits and hand-dipped milkshakes. And some desserts – pies and cheesecakes.”

The décor of the restaurant reflects Akers’ declared obsession with all things Coca-Cola. The Coke motif can be found inside and out, with signs, curtains and a vintage glass bottle pop dispenser among the collection.

“I’ve been a Coke fanatic all my life. It started at an early age, back in the day when they had the returnable glass bottles,” he says with a grin, remembering when he got one bottle a week to drink when he was a kid. “Of course, back then, pop was a privilege, not necessarily like it is today to people.”

Blazin’ Akers is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days per week.

Akers also offers carryout as well as catering and limited delivery/catering to area businesses. For more information, call the restaurant at 200-1901.

Blazin’ Akers BBQ is located at 1901 Etna Ave., Huntington.