When people walk inside, the smell of oregano and freshly baked pizza dough is ever present.

At their table, a friendly waitress -- sporting a University of Miami T-shirt and cap -- greets them and brings over a plate of garlic rolls with garlic bits oozing out.

Sounds familiar?

It's The Big Cheese ... of Homestead.

Since the new restaurant -- patterned after The Big Cheese of Miami in South Miami -- opened in Homestead in mid-September, customers have been able to see all the qualities of the 25-year-old original locale.

The Big Cheese of Homestead, formerly a CiCis Pizza, at 350 N. Homestead Blvd., is bigger, brighter and just as boisterous.

And there's more. The new location has more parking spaces and two giant high-definition televisions inside so people can watch University of Miami games.

Despite no advertising, locals and Big Cheese fans have been standing in lines during the weekend to get their taste of subs, salads, pastas and pizzas, according to Bill Archer, president and co-owner of The Big Cheese of Miami.

``It's word of mouth,'' Archer said, explaining the weekend appeal. ``It's because of the reputation we have in South Miami.''

His business partner, Gary Duell, said the company had been eyeing the Homestead location on U.S. 1 for years. It was also far away enough from the original Big Cheese for Archer, Duell and their new partners, Tim O'Brien and Richard Solorzano, to offer their trademark experience to new customers.

``We chose Homestead because of the pride the citizens of Homestead display in their city. We want to be part of the cloth of the community,'' Duell said.

The company spent one year constructing the restaurant and credits its construction and electrical firm for helping it open by September.

``If it weren't for them, we would have run out of money before we opened,'' Archer said.

Archer and Duell started The Big Cheese of Miami in 1984 with only 12 seats as a takeout place near U.S. 1 and Ludlam Road.

Cheese has been an important part of the food repertoire but has nothing to do with the name. In 1984, when Duell told his Uncle Jack that he and Archer were opening a restaurant, the uncle quipped, ``What do you think you are, the big cheese or something?''

The duo has found a winning recipe by using top-notch ingredients and serving mouth-watering Italian food in large portions, family style.

Pizzas are made with Wisconsin grande mozzarella and San Joaquin tomatoes and baked in a Baker's Pride oven. Pastas are imported from Italy. Desserts come from a bakery in Hollywood.

In Homestead, the Big Cheese menu is the same. And so are the prices.

That's one of the reasons Felipe Montes de Oca, a Big Cheese regular, said he has been to the new restaurant eight times since it opened.

``It's good food, and you get it quick,'' he said.

When he comes with wife Lissete and sons Felipe, 12, and Lucas, 7, from their home in the Redland, they order the chicken Caesar salad and split it four ways. They also share a large pizza.

``My kids love it. It's got a nice atmosphere, and the waiters are super-friendly,'' Montes de Oca said.

Entrees average in the $12 to $15 range. Pizzas -- available in large and extra large -- run $20 to $25. Subs are $5.25 to $10.25.

Dinner for two can easily run $25 without beer or wine.

Solorzano said Homestead customers have been clamoring for the Caesar salad with its thin rings of red onions and homemade dressing. Steak subs and lasagna are also popular.

The Big Cheese menu offers a wide selection of Italian food to please the palate.

The seafood sauté with its light tomato-wine sauce and loads of clams, mussels and shrimp is a great way to start. The thin-crust pizza has gooey, bubbling cheese.

The stuffed eggplant brimming with ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese and served with spaghetti and tomato sauce is a delight, as is the sautéed chicken with spaghetti and mushrooms.

Pizza delivery is expected to begin in late October and the restaurant also offers large platters for parties and other events.

Coupons for several menu items are available at www.the bigcheesehomestead.com.

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