Chris Fragale is the owner and operator of Ozona Blue Grilling Company, headquartered in Palm Harbor, Pinellas County, Florida.
Chris grew up in St. Louis working at his parents restaurant. They opened the 1st Italian restaurant in St. Louis called Rosario’s. He started working and helping at the restaurant when he was 9 years old. He remembers when one time his mother got called into school because Chris was sleeping in class. His mom mentioned that he was working very late at the restaurant the night before helping the family. The look and shock on the teacher’s face, that he was working nights at age 9, was priceless.
Chris received all his education on the job and growing up learning from some of the best Italian Chefs to go through St. Louis. One of Chris’s first projects was Fragale’s located on the Hill, the city’s Italian district. When he was 17 years old, Chris opened the restaurant with financial support from his family.
Little known fact is that Chris stared in a TV Food Show in the mid 1970’s. If only he termed the phrase “Bamm” like Emerald…
Chris got experience in restaurant chains by working for Ruby Tuesdays. He was in charge of opening seven locations across the country. After Ruby’s he worked for General Mills and oversaw the opening of several Casa Gallardo Mexican Restaurants in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida.
Casa Gallardo even sent Chris to Mexico City for 3 months to learn how to create authentic Mexican dishes, sauces, and mastered the art of rolling a burrito. His last stop with them was in Florida and once here he quickly realized he had found his home.
Chris moved to Florida in 1979-1980 and has been here around 38 years. He looooves Palm Harbor and doesn’t want to live any where else. He has been offered several opportunities across the country, but is content and happy in Pinellas County.
Chris was the founder of the Ballyhoo Grill and City Fish in Oldsmar.
When it comes to being a restaurateur, hosting people for meals that will be spending their hard earned money, nothing takes the place of experience. Chris has been doing food service for many, many years now and done and mastered every job in the opeations of a restaurant.
Chris Fragale has an eye for what consumers want. He’s created a restaurant that is on the water, serves grilled seafood including fresh grouper from the Gulf outside his front door, outdoor seating, has live music, catering, a pool for his customers, etc. The result, one of the most successful restaurants in Pinellas County, now with 100+ staff and a loyal customer base.
So what do his customers think?
Peter Mangan publically wrote, “I am very stingy with giving 5 star reviews. When we first arrived I wasn’t expecting much. We were completely blown away by the quality of our food and the huge portions we received. I ordered the ribeye and my wife had the stuffed grouper. Our daughter had the fish and fries. The kids menu was slightly more sophisticated than most but still offered the usual suspects. The menu is very diverse from sandwiches to great steaks and seafood. Our service was great too.”
Veronica Lopez publically wrote, “We had our daughter’s Sweet 16 Party here & the service was amazing! They made a beautiful set up under the tent & we had several servers taking care of us. Our guests said the food was really good & they all had a great time! Thank you so much to all for helping make her day special!! This continues to be one of our favorite restaurants!”
Pam James publically wrote, “The food was amazing. It was very busy so anyone thinking of going I would recommend making reservations! The service was great and so were the prices! And definitely use valet parking, they were very fast getting my car!”
Trip Advisor ranks Ozona Blue Grilling #3 out 156 restaurants in Palm Harbor.
Having owner operated experts, like Chris Fragale, providing quality food, entertainment and a nice place for a meal experience is an asset to Palm Harbor and Pinellas County, Florida.
Business owners take risks and often work long, exhaustive hours to service their clients. There are freedoms in owning a business, but these freedoms come at a cost. Rarely acknowledged are business owners like Bill and now Chris Fragale that employ people, accepting accountability ensuring their staff are paid continuously. Sure, people earn their wages through their time, hard work and skills, but let’s take a moment and thank Chris Fragale for having and continuing the business ownership game that allows people an opportunity to produce and earn those wages.
Ready for a quality dining experience? Give Ozona Blue Grilling Company in Palm Harbor, Florida an opportunity by stopping in at 125 Orange Street, Palm Harbor, calling them at 727-789-4540 or visiting Ozona Blue Grilling Company online by CLICKING HERE.
Business is business, but there is another piece of the story to tell about Chris Fragale.
Chris has hosted events and/or done donations for the Humane Society, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the March of Dimes, and Cystic Fibrosis. Want to participate, April 29, 2019 is an event for the March of Dimes and May 3, 2018 is a poolside event for the Humane Society.
When not participating in charity events or hosting guests at his restaurant, Chris is a Tampa Bay sports fan (Bucs, Lightning, Rays).
So from the staff of Local Search Force that runs the County Advisory Board…
Chris Fragale, you are highly commended for your service to the residents of Pinellas County, for having and maintaining a business that adds to the financial well-being of the community, and for your willingness to participate in social betterment activities.
Well done Chris Fragale!
The world can use more good news!
If you are or know a business owners that wants to expand and would appreciate a Spotlight, please contact Local Search Force at 727.400.3927 or visit us on the web by clicking HERE.
