Mim‘s

Nov. 30, 2005

Spanakopita, saganaki, falafel, bakalava - sound more like a foreign language than a Northern Michigan restaurant menu?  Well, it’s both - and it’s a food language you’ll be quick to learn once you sample the tasteful goods at Mim’s Mediterranean Grill.
This haven of Mediterranean food is the brainchild of Petoskey’s own Barb and Frank Gotts, who moved to the area eight years ago and bought the Side Door Saloon, a favorite spot in the area for what’s often termed as the “Best Burgers in Town.”  Mim’s is their second venture and is quickly drawing almost as big of a fan base as the Side Door.  
So how did they get all the way from burgers to kebabs?  “Well, basically because Frank and I both love Mediterranean food,” Barb Gotts chuckles, “and there simply wasn’t any up here!”  
Following the old adage of ‘if you want something done right, do it yourself,’ the Gotts decided to give their exotic idea a try, and they found the location for Mim’s just north of Petoskey.  A friendly, tidy building that stands out amidst the Northern Michigan earth-toned architecture, Mim’s is graced with happy Mediterranean colors, the building in orange, the trim in turquoise, and the shutters in lime green, all done far more tastefully than one would expect with such bright tones.  
There’s carefully-done landscaping, including a few artistically-pruned trees, and dining outside on the back deck when weather permits. The interior is just as friendly, with olive-printed tables, subtle lighting, and nets and Mediterranean artwork hung on the walls - and, of course, that tempting array of foodstuffs set out in a hot bar next to the register. 
 
SLIGHTLY AMERICANIZED
“I collected recipes as we were preparing to open,” Barb reminisces, “I have about 16 cookbooks, and we tested a lot of things as we went.  I also decided to slightly Americanize some of the recipes if they didn’t seem like they would work as well in this area.”  
Whatever process the Gotts used to put together their menu, it definitely works.  Their gyro - a pita sandwich that includes rotisserie meat (80% beef, 20% lamb) from a meat cone imported straight from Chicago, has become one of their best selling items.  Their kebabs (meat on a skewer - steak, chicken, or mahi-mahi) are marinated in Greek-seasoned dressing and grilled.  Their falafel - which is baked and flash-fried instead of completely deep fried per traditional falafel - loses none of the taste, but does lose some of the fat and oil, and is served with a crunchy cucumber relish.  
Their excellent spanakopita (pronounced spahn-eh-KO-pit-tah) is a light version of spinach pie that’s perfect paired with Mim’s fresh Greek salad.  Fiery Feta Fries are another popular item, drenched in Mim’s “secret seasoning” and piled with a spicy feta cheese sauce - and speaking of cheese, you can also get saganaki, Mim’s own flaming cheese served with pita bread, which makes a great appetizer or snack.  

MED PLATE
There are soups and other Greek salads, too, and a new Mediterranean Plate that lets you try several items - falafel, pita bread, hummus, and tabouli - for just $6.25.   
“I also like to offer things for people who don’t eat meat or who are watching their weight, so hopefully there will be something on the menu for everyone,” Barb says.  And the food is so authentic that customers hearing Mim’s employee Tanya’s accent insist that she must be Greek - a frequent occurance that makes the Mim’s crowd chuckle, since Tanya is really from the Ukraine.  It’s just one more indication that the Gotts are doing things right.
“I collected ideas and feedback from friends of ours who are Greek and Israeli,” Barb explains, “and that was very helpful in making things authentically Mediterranean.  My family was thankful when we finally opened, because we spent almost a year experimenting on them with all of our recipes!” she chuckles, “but, in the end, it’s all about the flavor.  And food is my language of welcoming people!”
 Mim’s Mediterranean Grill is located outside of Petoskey at 1823 North US 31, just past the KOA Campground, and is open Monday-Saturday 11 am to 8 p.m., telephone 231-348-9994.  Prices range from $1.99 to around $9.  Dining in and carry-out are both available, and delivery is in the works for larger catered orders.