MR MIKES Steakhouse Casual is two years old in Portage la Prairie on this Monday. With 50 employees, the restaurant started just before COVID hit, and they've ploughed through for two years and are still going strong.

Ashley Barrett is assistant general manager, and shares how they've fared.

"It has been a bit of a roller-coaster," says Barrett. "We were open for seven weeks at full capacity and now we've just been doing what we can with the restrictions. We've still been able to go ahead with working with the community. We did our community drive with Canadian Mental Health last spring. We did one with United Way and PAWS. We've done our Gratituesdays, which was with four different organizations."

Stan Killam (owner/general manager), Cassidy Killam (chief experience officer), Ashley Barrett (assistant General manager) and James Mason-Steuart (kitchen manager)She describes the Burger Drive as a great fundraiser.

"We set up a drive-thru and people can order at one end and we quickly get their burgers together and deliver them at the other end," continues Barrett. "It was very, very busy. We had lots of volunteers from our staff as well as the Canadian Mental Health Association. I'd say our biggest one was probably for Central Plains Cancer Services. Over the holiday season, it was quite busy. We had a band play here a few times and those nights were quite busy. We held lots of Christmas parties and, as the festivities have passed, things slowed down for a little bit, but we're full-steam ahead as things keep rolling out."

To celebrate their second year, they are holding a contest on Facebook in which you can comment your favourite thing about MR MIKES  and be entered to win a prize.

"In summary, I guess I would like to thank all of our guests that continue to support us, our wonderful staff that have been doing such a great job throughout this pandemic, and all the ups and downs that we've all gone through," adds Barrett. "Here's to another great year!"