The new Gran Maya Mexican Restaurant in Scio Twp. is already seeing repeat customers, according to co-owner Nancy Castro.
“A lot of people have come in and said they’ve been back because the food was great,” says the native of Jalisco, who came to the U.S at age six. She’s one of five partners in the full-service operation, along with her husband Jesus Mendez, brothers Cesar and Octavio Castro, and uncle Leopoldo Cobian, who’s also a principal at Mi Zarape in Saline and El Tapatio Taqueria & Restaurante on Carpenter Rd.
They’ve done an attractive remake of the former Big Boy building just north of I-94’s Zeeb Rd. interchange, most recently Kathy’s House of Pancakes. There’s a bar area (they’re awaiting a liquor license) and dozens of booths custom-made in Mexico featuring the pyramidal Temple of Kukulcan, built a millennium ago at Chichen Itza by the Mayan civilization for whom the restaurant is themed.
The expansive menu covers all courses, ages, appetites, and protein preferences, including nineteen lunch specials in the $10 range offered six days a week. Castro points particularly to the signature molcajete vallarta ($31.99), a platter of shrimp, crab legs, octopus, surimi, and green mussels with “special Maya sauce,” served with rice and garlic bread. Once the paperwork for a liquor license comes through, they will also offer many margarita choices.
Gran Maya Mexican Restaurant. 497 N. Zeeb Rd. (734) 882–2942. Mon.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. facebook.com/granmayamexicanrestaurant
Got a retail or restaurant change? Email marketplace@aaobserver.com
