Joel Raymond (from left), Ann Berishaj, Mandie Raymond and Eduardo Mayin at the Nickelodeon Pub & Grill. (Photo special to The Oakland Press/KATHARINE MICHALAK)

On a quiet stretch of rural Ortonville Road north of I-75 sits the Nickelodeon.

Since 1978, the local landmark has been a diner, a steak house and now is being reincarnated as a Mexican restaurant. Pete and Ann Berishaj, who own the Nickelodeon and the attached PeterAnn’s Party Store, also own the Village Cafe in downtown Clarkston. Manager Eduardo Mayin is charged with transforming the sleepy steak house into a hopping Mexican cantina. Both the menu and the décor have been in transition since January, while the restaurant continues to serve a loyal and growing clientele.

“I’ve been in the restaurant business since I was a kid,” Mayin said. “It’s been many years. I started working for my father’s restaurant when I was 14. I went to business school and cosmetology school, but my heart has always been in this business.”

Although the challenges of managing a restaurant can be daunting, Mayin, with his years of experience, is eager to lead the Nickelodeon in this new direction.

“The economy has changed, and Nickelodeon had to make adjustments,” Mayin said. “We have literally been working around the clock trying to train people to make the transformation, and it seems like the people have really embraced us so far.”

“We are still in transition. Our menu went from that of a steak house with wine to a margarita type of place; we offer some great margaritas and Mexican beers along with our food menu,” he said. While the final menu is likely to include steak, pasta and fish, the goal is for a predominantly Mexican menu.

Mayin admits the biggest obstacle thus far has been in training the staff.

“Everything is homemade, and the pricing is really remarkably affordable, but on top of that, it’s not just about rice and beans. We take a lot of pride in what we do,” Mayin said.

“It’s nice to see something good happen, with business picking up,” comments Joel Raymond, a regular patron of the Nickelodeon. He and his wife, Mandie, are pleased with the menu changes and enjoy the atmosphere as much as the food.

“Realistically, the Mexican concept, done right, should be approachable for everyone; what we are trying to create is a fun atmosphere that is still family-oriented, from the younger crowd like high school students who come in for nachos, to families and more mature people who come in and enjoy it,” Mayin said.

“Right now, we’re drawing mainly from the local neighborhood, but I think eventually we’ll draw more people. We’ve had people come from Southfield and Hartland, from word of mouth. We can expose ourselves, but people have to speak for themselves and say that the food tastes good and is a good value,” he said.

Like its patrons, the staff at the Nickelodeon is looking forward to the spring when their outdoor patio opens, hopefully in time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

“Give us a chance, an opportunity to show you what we’re offering,” Mayin says.