Michael Liao opened Baccailis Cafe: American Homestyle in 2005 at 3950 N. Fry Road, Ste. 100, Katy, after moving to the Katy area from Dallas. Liao and his staff serve American Homestyle cuisine, including all-day breakfast and chicken-fried steak that almost overflows off the plate.

Liao is from Taiwan and grew up with Asian food. He worked in his aunt’s restaurant in the Dallas area, which served American comfort food and found it to be more interesting to him than dishes he had grown up with.

“To do the Asian type of restaurant, it would be too easy,” he said. “So I wanted to find something that would be more challenging.”

He earned a business degree, but working for large corporations was not for him. Liao said he enjoys working in the restaurant business because it comes with flexible hours and the ability to do things his way.

The restaurant serves a variety of breakfast dishes, including omelets, and pancake and French toast combination plates. Dinner fare includes pork chops, grilled tilapia, crawfish and smoked sausage pasta.

Everything on the menu is made from scratch, he said. Employees bread the chicken-fried items, hand cut vegetables and mash and fry the home fries, which are made from boiled potatoes.

Liao considers himself a foodie and sets a high standard for his own meals. He places an emphasis on customer service and attention to detail.

“I would want to serve the customer the way I want to eat,” Liao said. “Therefore, I will try to provide the highest quality for the customer.”

Liao said he tries to train his staff to get to know regular customers and anticipate what they want.

Liao also owns two Fusion 36 Degree smoothie and juice bars in the northeastern corner of the Katy area; another location is opening in late March. The first location is connected to Baccailis Cafe and its menu is also available at the restaurant.

Liao said although he has no plans for a second restaurant, he does hope to grow the Fusion 36 Degree side over the next five years.

Due to his appreciation for his regular customers, Liao said he trains new staffers on the preferences of his most frequent patrons. Many of his customers are seniors looking for a quiet atmosphere.

Liao said the restaurant does not have a particular style, and is not intended to be ultramodern. The idea, he said, is for the restaurant to be comfortable and casual.

Liao said he has also visited some of his elderly customers with limited mobility once they moved into assisted-living facilities. Sometimes, he brings along their favorite dishes from the restaurant.

“I enjoy the service industry already, but I see that if I help somebody and they’re happy, they’ll come back and we’ll be friends,” Liao said. “If I see my customer happy, then I’m happy.”