Jimmy Doolittle, a businessman and entrepreneur, had never owned a restaurant.

But the owner of Little Turtle storage knows what he likes, and he likes what he spent two years creating.

Uncle Jimmy’s Country Cookin’ had a vip preview of the establishment just off U.S. 69 and Texanna Road.

You can’t miss it. There’s a ferris wheel in front of the property, and an observation deck where folks can relax while watching the bright lights of passing vehicles on the highway and the lake.

Uncle Jimmy’s has lots of parking for truckers and the general public.

There is lots of elbow room inside the building – more than 16,000 square feet which includes fine country dining, an enormous bar that has the finest liquor and dozens of craft beers, a dance floor and stage, a mechanical bull, a video game room for kiddies, a pool room with four tables, and an arcade boxing machine.

Outside, there’s about 13,000 square feet where folks can eat and dine at picnic tables, dance in front of an outdoor stage or play pickleball on one of two courts.

Uncle Jimmy likes to accommodate folks, so he has some long hours on weekends – open Friday and 6 a.m. and close Sunday at 10 p.m.

Monday through Thursday hours are 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“Eventually I want to be open 24-7,” Jimmy said.

That’s for the benefit of those who may be looking for a place to have a bit to eat at 3 in the morning.

“Used to, every truck stop had a café,” he said.

Not so much anymore, so he has a place for them to park and eat.

Eating here is good, compliments of chef Julia Willis and property manager Nick Kroge.

A hefty menu has about everything you could want in home cooking: a wide variety of appetizers, like Jimmy’s footlong corndog; cheesy potato balls, stacked nacho tower and many more.

Breakfast is a feast: biscuits and gravy (of course); huevos rancheros; skillet breakfast and more.

There’s a wide choice of steaks (center cut top sirloin, ribeye, grilled salmon, chicken fried steak, filet mignon, etc) as well as hamburgers and pizzas and salads; and much much more.

Something for almost everyone’s taste.