MANSFIELD – A couple from Maryland will soon open a restaurant in downtown Mansfield.
Ralph and Lisa Powell, who moved more than 450 miles from Aquasco, Maryland to Mansfield, intend to open Reindeer Grill later this summer at the former Saffron Indian Cuisine, 10 S. Park St.
The Powells long considered moving to Ohio. They wanted their four children – 11-year-old Kylie, 6-year-old Christian, 4-year-old Kaden and 2-year-old Catherine – to live closer to Lisa’s sister, who has five children of similar ages.
But it seemed like a pipe dream.
“We didn’t think we’d ever really move out here until this opportunity came up,” Lisa said. “It’s a bigger space then we were at and in the downtown.”
In the restaurant’s former location, they only served take-out. But in Mansfield, there’s space for people to dine-in.
“We’re just really excited to have seating. That’s huge for us,” Lisa said.
The menu has always featured items like subs, burgers, wings and pizza, but the Powells anticipate it will grow to include more dinner entrees, including seafood and steak.
According to Lisa, the steak and cheese sub and pizza were among their most popular menu items in Maryland.
“We had (customers) loading up their freezers with pizzas when we were leaving,” she said.
The business’s Facebook page boasts a 9.8 out of 10 rating with reviews from about 65 customers.
“The steak and cheese is out of this world, and the customer service is awesome,” one person wrote.
Another customer listed a few favorites in her review.
“I frequently eat at or from Reindeer Grill … and you will too once you try it,” she wrote. “There is no better pizza, burgers, ruebens, crab cakes, onion rings, or salad and the list goes on. I have never gotten a meal or a snack that wasn’t perfectly yummy.”
The Powells say they miss their tight-knit community and loyal following from Maryland, but they’ve been amazed by the support they’ve already received in Mansfield.
“Here, we’re seeing the same thing. It’s been very supportive, and we haven’t even opened yet,” Lisa said.
She explained how her children did an art project at the nearby Green Room Gallery and how several local leaders have stopped by the restaurant already.
Reindeer Grill opened about four years ago in Aquasco, Maryland after the couple experimented with a food court space at the Virginia Bazaar and later a food cart in Arlington, Virginia.
Before that, Lisa from Eastern Pennsylvania and Ralph of Maryland met while working for Hemingway’s Restaurant in Maryland, where Lisa served, and Ralph worked as the sous chef.
“He has an amazing talent in cooking and just wanted to work for himself and try to start a business,” Lisa said. “We both enjoy the hospitality business in general, so this was something the both of us had always wanted.”
The name Reindeer Grill came from a former store called Reindeer Custard that was once owned by Lisa’s parents in Silver Spring, Maryland. Lisa wanted to include “Reindeer” in the restaurant’s name to continue the legacy.
Saffron Indian Cuisine, which was formerly located at 10 S. Park St. for about six years, closed in late May. The owners Hari and Warscha Nagpal expressed intentions to move east.
“They were saying they were going to New Jersey, so we teased them that we’re flip-flopping,” Lisa said.
The Reindeer Grill may open as soon as mid-July. The Powells say the restaurant’s hours will likely be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday but these haven’t officially been set.
“We’re just excited to serve our food, we’re hoping everyone enjoys it,” Lisa said.
