Our Story

Eating is an essential component of Holtsclaw gatherings. Whether it's a major holiday, a birthday, or post-soccer practice meal, you will always find food, family, and fellowship. Usually in equal measure. So it was that Tim Holtsclaw found himself in early March of 2009 sitting on his back deck at the family cook-out with his son-in-law, Steve Marshburn. Having tossed around the notion of being involved in the restaurant business for years, more as "bucket-list" discussion than anything of real substance, the two had become aware of local restaurant that had closed, and were now presented an opportunity to do more than just "talk." What started as an attempt to purchase some of the equipment with the idea of then reselling it piecemeal for profit, quickly steamrolled into a full fledged foray into the food and beverage industry. In the span of two very short months, staff was hired, the restaurant was cleaned and remodeled, agreements were made with all the appropriate vendors, and certain additional investors secured to assist in getting all the initial capital requirements. About the only thing left to do was come up with a name! 

Having received suggestions from a large number of people nothing stood out. Reluctant to pick a standard sort of name (The North Side Grill, Ramsey St. Restaurant, etc.), and never entertaining the idea of a "Tim's Place" or "Holtsclaws,"  Tim searched for a unique word or phrase that would stand out. As is so often the case, inspiration struck while on the golf course. Finishing his round at KGGCC and standing in the 18th fairway, he looked up at the large tree sitting to the left of the green and, while being struck by its beauty against the backdrop of an orange sunset sky, Tim realized he had found his name! As Thoreau said "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see," and where others just saw bark and leaves, Tim saw a unique name that also served as an allegory with its process of awakening from winter slumber to bursting with a vibrant red canopy symbolizing a restaurant's cycle of struggle-success-struggle-success, etc. After little convincing, his wife and now business partner, Gwen, was on board with the name and on June 4, 2009 Scrub Oaks hung out its shingle becoming the newest kid on the Ramsey Street block!

 

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OUR APPROACH

With only fresh ingredients going into our 90% made from scratch and homemade menu, we know we will never compare to your mother's/grandmother's/neighbor Bob's cooking but we would love to be that close second!

 

OUR STAFF

Tim and Gwen Holtsclaw, Owners

Jeff Bivona, General Manager

 

OUR PROMISE

ScrubOaks has been named "Best NorthSide Restaurant" for the past nine consecutive years for a reason.  The food is exceptional ... the atmosphere is casual ... and the customers are treated like special guests always.  Our regulars can tell you why they are regulars —  they come for the food, but they stay for the staff!  Don't believe us? Check out some of these reviews from our customers:

 

"I've never been to this restaurant and seen an unhappy person. They are very friendly the food is excellent and management is just superb. I enjoyed the ambiance and the wait staff. " -Mark J

 

"Tried this restaurant based on the recommendation of the staff at the Fairfield Inn and was not disappointed at all. Food is very good and the staff was awesome." -

Eric N

"We live on the other side of town, but saw this place online and thought we'd try it out tonight. I can not say enough good things about this place! I have never come home from a restaurant and immediately wrote a review, but this place is that good! The restaurant was really nice inside and had a great atmosphere. Our server was wonderful and we had such a great time. Everything is made in house and SO good! So happy I found this place, and will definitely be back! Highly recommend, you have to check this place out!" -Caitlin W

 

"Awesome food. I recommend the salmon caesar salad and the grilled entrees are so good!! Appetizer: buffalo chicken wings....  Perfection. Everyone is so friendly; the staff and the customers. The staff recognizes you after the second time and takes the time to greet you."  -Cindi W

 

"The food is great, but the staff is awesome! When I don't have my wife or my son with me, they always ask how they are! They genuinely seem to care about you rather than just trying to get your money and rush you out the door when you clear your plate. I love this place!" -Randall F

 

"The best place to eat in Fayetteville! Great service/food and the pork rinds appetizer is awesome!!" -Jonathan T

 

"What a wonderful establishment! My husband and I visited on Mother's day and the experience was just AMAZING! They had a buffet style brunch which had unique tasty food! It was pricey, but I felt as if we got our money's worth plus more!!! The owner was there and treated us great! They had mimosas and I can't wait to visit again!" -Millie S