Miami Grill — a new restaurant concept for Hawaii and the first of 58 planned isle locations — will open at Waipahu Town Center in mere days.
Bringing anything from Miami to Honolulu may seem a bit like carrying coals to Newcastle (in England, from whence coal was known to originate), but while Miami is sort of tropical, it’s a completely different scene from Hawaii. Miami Grill’s menu reflects some of the city’s Latin influences as well as the Greek origins of the founder.
"We are intently focused on strengthening and expanding our brand both internationally and domestically," said Miami Subs Grill CEO Richard Chwatt in a statement. "Bringing a taste of Miami to the aloha state of Hawaii is a natural next step for our current brand expansion efforts."
Known as Miami Subs Grill only in Miami and as Miami Grill everywhere else, the chain offers seven types of cheesesteaks including one featuring chicken; hot or cold sub sandwiches; gyros featuring beef and lamb and other pita sandwiches; a range of burgers; chicken wings including a boneless option; platters, salads, deep-fried fish and shrimp; side orders like hush puppies and others reminiscent of pub food such as mozzarella sticks, onion rings and jalapeno bites.
The hot dogs are Nathan’s brand (sponsor of the world-famous hot dog eating contest), and the seafood is Arthur Treacher’s-branded.
Oh, Miami Grill also serves breakfast, from traditional plates and pancakes to something called "Grandma Robyn’s Healthy Oatmeal Pie," served with a choice of fat-free Greek yogurt, whipped cream or strawberry topping.
Desserts include key lime pie, New York-style cheesecake, baklava and fresh-baked Otis Spunkmeyer cookies.
Area developer Phil Tumminia Sr. is leading the effort to build out Miami Grill locations in Hawaii with James Butler at his side.
Tumminia, 76, brought the Subway concept to Hawaii and developed 110 stores in the islands, 10 on Guam, five on Saipan, 13 in Korea, 10 in Florida, 10 in California, "and then I quit," he said.
Butler was director of operations for Starbucks and Jamba Juice and opened 50 Starbucks stores here. Revenues shot to $20 million from $4 million during his tenure.
After his Subway days, Tumminia and his bride traveled the mainland in a 45-foot-long motor home, he bought a couple of mobile home parks near water, one in Maine and one in Michigan, "and then some rich guy wanted to double or triple what I paid, so I gave him the keys and said, ‘Give me the money,’" Tumminia laughed.
Some mainland locations of Miami Grill offer delivery service, beer, wine and Dom Perignon Champagne, but there will be no alcohol at the Waipahu location out of respect for fellow tenant New Hope Christian Fellowship, Tumminia said.
Future locations elsewhere may offer alcohol, he said.
Tumminia sees himself giving his latest venture about four or five years. "I’ll be 81. I don’t want to die doing this," he chuckled, but he does "enjoy helping people become successful."
The Waipahu location will open either July 9 or 10, depending on arrival of some custom-made items for the restaurant, Tumminia said.
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ON THE NET:
» miamigrillhawaii.com
Reach Erika Engle at 529-4303, erika@staradvertiser.com or on Twitter as @erikaengle.
