New owner blends existing menu, personal touches

Although Rena Frost has been involved with Mac's Steaks and Seafood from its start 12 years ago, now that she's owner, she gets to really put her stamp on the place.

Her brother worked for Mike McMahon, the former owner, in the early '90s. McMahon offered her a job in 1992 in Midland. She became general manager of the Arlington location, Mac's Bar & Grill, in 1993. Then she changed to director of operations four years later.

As director of operations, Frost had an influence on the design of the Colleyville restaurant. Last March, she and husband Howard Frost purchased the Arlington and Colleyville restaurants.

"It had always been my dream to buy Mike out or open another restaurant on my own," Frost said. "I'm so comfortable with Mac's; it's got my heart in it. You know, my whole family has worked here."

One of her brothers is the general manager at Mac's Steaks and Seafood and another does the IT work for Frost. Her children, mother and oldest grandson have also worked in the restaurant. Her husband, whom she describes as her "great, supportive business partner," handles the advertising and marketing.

She still keeps in contact with former staff who worked at the Arlington location 20 years ago, and she gets to know everyone who works for her. Frost said she thinks the tie of working in the food industry binds people together more than an office setting, and the regulars begin to feel like family, too.

"We have the best regulars in the whole world at both restaurants," Frost said. "Loyal and sweet, and send birthday cards to staff members. They'll send wedding invitations when their kids get married."

One Mac's regular is Charles "Chuck" Reinhardt, a Bedford resident who, he said, visits Mac's in Colleyville with his wife about 40 times a year. They often take visitors to Mac's before any other area restaurant, and Mac's catered their daughter's 50th birthday party.

"I enjoy the service, and the variety of the menu," he said. "It's a simple menu as far as I'm concerned, and my wife absolutely loves the filet [mignon]."

Frost speaks highly of McMahon, her teacher.

"Mike, when he owned the restaurants, he was a great mentor, taught me a lot, but let me try new things," Frost said.

Frost plans to use that experience along with the love of cooking she got from watching her mother to create menu items and specials that infuse her vision into the current menu. She said she wants to add Korean-inspired dishes, in honor of her heritage, and dishes based on her travels.

"But the roots of the restaurant will stay the same," Frost said.

Frost worked as an accountant before breaking into the restaurant business, but says she loves the restaurant environment.

"I love seeing the day-to-day," Frost said. "And the day-to-day to me is seeing all the customers ... they just make it really great, and knowing that we're, a lot of times, a second home to them, that's nice."

Owner Recommendations

Fil Gumbo – Homemade daily with fresh seafood (cup $4.85, bowl $5.85, bowl with unlimited salad $9.25)

Etoufe – Crawfish or shrimp, over white rice (small $14, large $18)

Prime Rib – Slow roasted, carved to order, wild rice or baked potato (8 oz. $19.75,

12 oz. $25.95, 22 oz. bone in $30.75)

Scottish Salmon – Honey and chile glazed, with roasted corn vinaigrette and basil mash potatoes ($18.50)

Coming Soon

Veal Chop with Porcini mushroom risotto

Mandu (traditional Korean appetizer)

Mac's Steak and Seafood, 5120 Texas 121, Colleyville , 817-318-6227, www.macsteak.com

• Monday-Friday Lunch 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Dinner 3 p.m.–10 p.m.
• Saturday Brunch 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Dinner 3 p.m.–10 p.m.
• Sunday Brunch 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Dinner 3 p.m.–10 p.m.