Griffin Matley's dream of Griffs Grill has been fulfilled in Howell
HOWELL — When Joe Matley opened Griffs Grill to an excited community, he didn't expect to run out of beef in two days.
"It was Balloonfest week, and I thought maybe it would be slower because everyone was over there," Matley told The Daily. "But then it rained, and we got rocked."
So overwhelming was the support, the restaurant closed for two days to re-assess and alter its hours.
The eatery at 1009 E. Grand River Ave. has stayed busy since, Matley said, with new people coming in daily, plus already-established regulars.
"I'm ahead of it now," he said of his inventory. "I have 100 pounds of ground beef back there."
The grill is named after Matley's son, Griffin, who had dreams of owning a restaurant by that name. Griffin was killed in a dune-buggy-like vehicle crash at just 16 years old.
Matley co-owns the restaurant with his father, Bob Matley, a longtime restauranteur with ties to Marmaduke's Tavern in Farmington Hills and Duke's of Highland in Highland Township.
Griffin grew up helping at Duke's and had a job at Mexican Fiesta in Hartland Township.
The new restaurant is a family affair. Matley's children — Molly, 21, and Cam, 19 — work at Griffs, and Bob is often there socializing with customers.
"It's bittersweet" to open a restaurant named after her late brother, Molly said. "It makes me proud we're doing something in his honor."
Cam said he wants to take over the restaurant one day.
"Of course, it's my dream to follow in my dad's footsteps," he said.
"It's everything. It's our future. It's good to come together as a family," Molly said.
Matley launched a food truck under the Griffs Grill name about three years ago with his friend, Chris Landells. The friends used to run 2FOG's Pub as general manager and head chef, respectively, before helping to launch Copper River, which has since closed.
The food truck served customers in the parking lot of 1009 E. Grand River Ave. when Scratch Sweet Shop operated in the building.
Matley plans to sell the food truck to focus his attention on the new restaurant.
Griffs Grill cooks up a variety of sliders. Hamburgers, cheeseburgers and turkey burgers have been popular.
"We've also done specials, usually for a couple of days, and when it's out, it's out," Matley said.
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Hand-dipped shakes and malts made with Hudsonville Ice Cream have been more popular than anticipated. Matley said his favorite part of running the new restaurant is its social atmosphere.
"It's the people, getting to know the people."
— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Griffin Matley's dream of Griffs Grill has been fulfilled in Howell
