Nelson: Maba Grill focuses on an international flavor

The idea of opening an Asian-style grill in a place like Athens has been simmering in Si Huynh's mind for many years, the Vietnamese native said.

Now his plan became a reality with the opening of Maba Grill on Sept. 9 at the former Which Wich space on East Broad Street next to Bel-Jean's.

"The reason I came to Athens is this is a concept I've wanted to do for a while; I thought of this 10 to 15 years ago," said Huynh (pronounced Win) "I've always wanted to try it out in a college town, and I had a niece who graduated from UGA. She told me, 'Uncle, I think it would be a good concept in Athens.' "

Maba Grill represents a casual dining, fast-food restaurant offering charbroiled foods infused with Asian and international flavor, Huynh said.

"The main focus is the grill and fresh grilled ingredients," he said. "Even though I'm Vietnamese, Maba is more an international grill. I grew up in Vietnam, but my background (in cooking) is actually French and Italian. We're pretty diversified."

Maba uses two gas-flame, grated charbroil grills to prepare steak strips, shrimp, chicken, tofu and tuna as well as corn and other vegetables such as portabello mushrooms, squash and zucchini.

The grilled meats are served a couple of different ways. Customers can get them over rice as an entree. They also can choose a Vietnamese-style sandwich called a banh mi, which is a French baguette stuffed with the meat or vegetables, along with pickled carrot and daikon, fresh cilantro, jalape o and cucumber.

"Many people have been surprised to see we have (banh mi), which have been popular on some recent cooking and travel shows," Huynh said.

The menu is fairly simple, listing Maba combos, Maba meals, Maba salad bowls, banh mi, party platters, sides, soft drinks and beer.

The Maba combo offers a choice of two main items - chicken, steak strips, shrimp and vegetables, portabello mushroom or tofu - with steamed white rice, a Maba salad and seasonal fruits for $7.75. The price is $8.75 with a drink.

With the Maba meal, customers can choose one ma