Maggie's Grill busy serving hungry patrons

Maggie's Grill busy serving hungry patrons, by Hilary Kraus, Staff writer, The Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA,  February 24, 2005

By the look of business, first-time restaurateur Maggie Watkins isn't making any rookie mistakes.

Her 62-seat restaurant called Maggie's South Hill Grill has been a hit since opening three months ago in the old Kay's Teriyaki Plus' site at 2808 E. 29th Ave. On any given day - the place is open seven days a week - and any given time from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the place is jumping.

"It's just this little neighborhood South Hill thing. It's been awesome," said Watkins, who owns the bistro-style restaurant with husband Jake Watkins.

The Watkinses moved to Spokane from Los Angeles about two years ago.

Maggie said she came here to be a soccer mom to her kids, who are now 5 and 8 years old.

But the former Wolfgang Puck and Hard Rock Cafe chef realized there was a need for a place that serves wholesome soups, sandwiches, salads, wraps as well as full dinners. (Make sure you try the homemade potato chips.)

"This is what I needed, and I was hoping if I needed it, someone else needed it," Watkins said.