Frank Sciara knows restaurants.

Frank, owner of The Patio Grill off Alabama 119 near the Post Office, is the son of Sam Sciara, owner of Gus’s Hot Dogs in Helena.

Sam has been in the restaurant business for more than 40 years, and his son Frank has followed in his father’s footsteps of serving quality, convenient food at an affordable price.

“It’s what I’ve known my whole life,” Frank said.

The family, who once owned The Depot in Helena, is entrenched in the restaurant business, and Frank hopes his newest endeavor will become a mainstay in Alabaster.

Frank opened The Patio Grill because he said he saw a need for Alabaster to have a non-chain restaurant away from the congested areas where a family could get a quality meal in a relaxed atmosphere either inside or outside on the patio.

“A lot of people like to sit outside and relax,” Frank said.

The restaurant is kid-friendly, including nostalgic video games, a jukebox and a ceiling-to-floor chalkboard menu that the kids are allowed to draw on.

The menu includes five burgers, 12 sandwiches – ranging from Philly steak, meatball subs, grilled cheese and the famous cheesy chicken – four salads, eight appetizers, combination plates, desserts, beverages and beer.

But just because The Patio Grill serves burgers, fries and other quick foods, Frank said his restaurant does not sacrifice quality in the process.

“Just because we serve burgers does not mean we’re fast food,” frank said.

The Patio Grill does differ some from what Frank has grown up with in that the place is decorated with sports memorabilia, games, a jukebox, two flat-screen televisions and a patio.

“Every place I’ve worked with my dad, there’s been bare walls, no atmosphere,” Frank said. “I’m trying to create an atmosphere.”

Frank, wife Misty and 4-year-old daughter Ella previously lived in Alabaster, but currently reside in Chelsea.

Frank said the family is looking to move back to Alabaster to be closer to the business.

“We try to stay within the community that we do business in,” Frank said.

And it’s a community the Sciaras hope to be in for a long time.

For more information about The Patio Grill, call 663-7233.