Up 4 Breakfast Pleases Any Appetite

Business sales have been every bit as slow as the housing market.

Given the current climate, it seemed the shopping center space formerly known as Ram's Restaurant would stay vacant for months.

John Monticciolo bought it less than 24 hours after it became available. There was no time even to post a "for sale" sign.

"A perfect opportunity came along and I took advantage of it," he said.

Up 4 Breakfast opened in September, a few months after its predecessor closed.

On Saturday, the diner was packed with people from the nearby soccer tournament at Anderson Snow Park. There were only a few tables open shortly after 1 p.m.

The restaurant is crowded every weekend. The churchgoers eat there. So do the neighbors. During the week, employees at the Airport Industrial Park regularly come in for a sit-down lunch.

"It has exceeded expectations," said Monticciolo, who aimed to improve upon what Ram's had been for the previous 11 years.

He wanted a diner that served breakfast and lunch. He wished for a clean restaurant with good service. He didn't have to search far to find good help.

His 19-year-old brother, Joseph Monticciolo, is the vice president of the business. His parents come in to assist him. His grandfather is a regular.

"Oh, it's delicious," said the elder Monticciolo. "I'm a hamburger man. They're good here."

The menu is varied for customers with a range of appetites - from the modest to the extreme.

One may order an egg with toast or a biscuit for $1.95, or he or she could order the biggest breakfast on the menu - a Super Special. It includes two eggs, two bacon strips, two sausage links, three silver dollar pancakes, a choice of home fries, hash browns or grits, a coffee and a small orange juice for $7.25.

John Monticciolo learned of Ram's closing the day it happened. He was a cook at another restaurant when he received a call asking whether he would like to buy any of the leftover food. He had a much loftier purchase in mind almost immediately.

Ram's closed on a Wednesday. He signed the paperwork on Thursday, his brother said.

"We have lower prices," Joseph Monticciolo said of the diner compared to others. "There is a ton of development around here and a lot of shopping stores ... It's really a mix. We have young kids, families, elderly. The big thing today was large parties."

Soccer moms and players occupied most of the tables Saturday. Some of them had eaten there earlier in the day for breakfast. Word got around along the sidelines for those interested in finding a place for lunch.

It was a short drive from the soccer fields and seemed like a good place for fast service and a hearty meal.

"I have friends who recommended it," said Julie Lessard, of Seffner. "Other (soccer moms) have eaten here at past tournaments."

Her food came out a few minutes later. She and her son and his friend were finished and out the door 20 minutes later.

The salad and sandwich she ordered was "very good and fresh," she said.

Up 4 Breakfast was a hit with Melissa Massaro, another soccer mom. She was seated at a table of more than a dozen players and parents. She was on the same schedule as Lessard. Like her, she heard about the diner from her friends.

"We had an hour between games and we had to eat quick," Massaro said. "It was very good and very fast."

John Monticciolo, 26, has been in the restaurant business for five years. He already has joined the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce and sponsors a local soccer and bowling team.

He also has adopted a needy family and donates to a local Catholic charity that assists other local families, he said.

"We changed everything," he said of his new restaurant. "We brought a whole new attitude. We wanted to retain the customers (Ram's) had and bring some new ones."

Biz at a glance:

Name of biz - Up 4 Breakfast

Owner - John Monticciolo

What it is - Diner that serves breakfast and lunch

Where it is - 14359 Spring Hill Drive Hours of operation - 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday Get in touch - 352-686-4185

Biz at a glance:

Name of biz - Up 4 Breakfast

Owner - John Monticciolo

What it is - Diner that serves breakfast and lunch

Where it is - 14359 Spring Hill Drive

Hours of operation - 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday

Get in touch - 352-686-4185