Faces of Main Street: Ralph Powell from Reindeer Grill

Ralph Powell still laughs about the first time his family visited Mansfield. “We said we’d never move here. Too cold,” he remembers. But in 2018, after years of running a small shop in Maryland, he and his wife Lisa were ready for the next chapter. Family ties, a bigger dining room, and a spot on the Square convinced them to make the leap. They closed the Maryland location, packed their equipment, and made the 450 mile move to open Reindeer Grill at 10 S. Park St., in the former Saffron Indian Cuisine space. It was a fresh start that felt both risky and right.

Mansfield made sense for a few reasons. Lisa’s sister already lived here, and the rhythm of downtown fit the kind of restaurant they wanted to run. In Maryland, their operation leaned heavily on takeout. In Mansfield, they could have a dining room bring families and friends together. That shift mattered, giving them the chance to focus on the full dining experience, turning regulars into friends along the way.  

The name “Reindeer” reaches back to Lisa’s family, a nod to their famous frozen custard stand in Silver Spring, Maryland. Keeping the name ties the restaurant to a family tradition that has been part of their story for generations.

Reindeer’s menu reads like a map of Ralph’s history in the kitchen. He’s been cooking for most of his life, everywhere from chain restaurants to mom and pop shops. His Maryland roots show up in the seafood, especially the crab cakes that patrons often say beat out even those they’ve had in Maryland. You’ll find the crab cakes alongside cream of crab, steak and cheese subs, hand-tossed pizzas, wings, and plates like grilled Atlantic salmon and seafood alfredo. Each dish reflects a part of Ralph’s story, whether on sub, pizza, grill, or sauté lines, fine-tuned to the tastes of his customers.

The move itself was as much grit as it was a leap of faith. The Powells shut down their Maryland shop, loaded up a U-Haul with literal tons of kitchen equipment, and made several long hauls to Ohio with trailers in tow. They painted, cleaned, and rebuilt the space all while settling into a new community with their five kids, from a college freshman down to kindergarten.

Today, Reindeer Grill looks a lot like the place Ralph and Lisa imagined on day one. It is a family run downtown spot with generous portions and friendly service. Most days you’ll find Ralph in the kitchen, doing what he loves best.

Ralph is eager to see the Main Street project finished. He talks about more families downtown, and more time spent strolling between shops, events, and restaurants. A refreshed street and new public spaces make it easier to linger a little longer and come back again to try something new.

If it’s been a while, stop in for a crab cake, a steak and cheese, or a pizza and see how Maryland roots have become a Mansfield staples. After your meal, take a stroll and imagine what a strong Main Street will mean for Reindeer Grill and for Mansfield.