It was February 14th, 2002 — Valentine's Day — when Randall Eugene Flubmeyer walked out of his job at the Ankeny Jiffy Lube for the last time and told his wife Cheryl, "I'm gonna open a restaurant."

Cheryl said, "Randy, you can barely boil water." Randy said, "That's what STAFF is for, Cheryl."

The concept came to Randy a few weeks later. He'd driven past one of those "breastaurant" places down in Des Moines — the kind with the skimpy uniforms and the laminated menus. He sat in the parking lot eating a gas station sandwich, squinting at the place, and he had what he describes as A Vision.

"Those girls looked cold and miserable," Randy told the Ankeny Pennysaver in a 2003 profile. "I thought — what if you did that concept but the women were real? Like, actual women? From Iowa? With something to 'em?"

Randy calls it "The Flub Philosophy." The name came naturally from there. He combined with a $30,000 small business loan from Iowa State Bank & Trust and what Cheryl calls "a truly alarming amount of confidence," Flub Jugglers was born.

Cheryl told him the name needed work. Randy said it was perfect. We opened March 8th, 2003. Forty people came on opening day. The name worked.

At Flub Jugglers, we believe in three things:

1. Good food, mostly. We try hard. Our chicken is fresh. Our fries are made from real potatoes. Randy personally approves every sauce.

2. Fun atmosphere, always. You don't come to Flub Jugglers to eat in silence. You come because you want energy, some background noise, cold drinks, and women who will give you a hard time in a friendly way.

3. Honest service, despite everything. Our staff are not perfect. They will sometimes get your order wrong. They will occasionally drop something. They will not always bring your ranch when you ask. But they will be UPFRONT about it and they will try AGAIN and that is more than you can say for a lot of places.

Q: What exactly does "Flub Jugglers" mean?
A: Randy has a whole speech about this. The short version: Randy believes the restaurant industry is oversaturated with places that hire the same type of woman — and he wanted to do something different. Our ladies have what Randy calls "substance." He considers this the whole concept. Cheryl considers it "a liability from a naming standpoint." We've been having this conversation for two years.

Q: Do people actually juggle at Flub Jugglers?
A: No. However, Randy's cousin Kevin does sometimes show up on weekends and attempt to juggle things in the parking lot. We have asked him to stop. He has not stopped. This is a family situation and we are navigating it.

Q: Is there a dress code?
A: We ask guests to wear shoes. Other than that, we're pretty Ankeny about it.

Q: Is Flub Jugglers family friendly?
A: We have a kids menu and we have a full bar. You figure it out.

Q: Can I host a private event at Flub Jugglers?
A: Yes! Birthday parties, work events, family reunions, whatever. Call (515) 555-FLUB and ask for Randy or Donna (our events coordinator). Not Kevin. Kevin is not staff. Kevin is Randy's cousin and his presence at your event is not something we can promise or prevent.

We have 4 big screen TVs and 7 regular screens. We show whatever sports are on. Big games = big crowds = call ahead for reservations because we will fill up and Donna will have no time for your problems.

We are an Iowa Hawkeyes establishment. During Hawkeyes games, domestic drafts are $1.99. Randy will be emotional. Please be supportive.

Got a birthday? Retirement party? Work thing? Team celebration? Baby shower? (We have done one baby shower. It went fine. The wings were a big hit.) Flub Jugglers can host your event!

We can accommodate groups up to 60 people with private section, custom menu options, and group pricing. DJ Bryce is available for private events for an additional fee (ask Donna, not Bryce). Kevin may also show up. We are working on this.

Call (515) 555-FLUB and ask for Donna. She handles events. Randy handles the food. Kevin handles nothing. This is the structure.

FROM DES MOINES: Take I-35 North. Exit at Exit 92 (First Street/Oralabor Road). Head east on First Street, then north on N Ankeny Blvd. Look for the big orange sign. You will not miss it. Randy had it made extra large on purpose.

FROM AMES: Head south on I-35, take Exit 92, same as above but in reverse.

FROM ANYWHERE ELSE: Get to I-35, get to Ankeny, look for the sign. If you smell the wings before you see the sign, you're close.

We have a large parking lot out front and additional parking in the back. On Hawkeyes game nights you might have to park on the grass. Randy has said sorry about this and is "looking into it."

In the meantime here is a description of what the photos will be when Tyler finishes:

Have photos from your visit to Flub Jugglers?? Email them to randy@flubjugglers.com and we will put them on here when Tyler gets around to it!! Best photo each month wins a FREE APPETIZER.