Mac Grill to sponsor Afghani culture night

The Mac Grill will celebrate Afghani culture Thursday night, bringing in belly dancers, traditional meals and free samples to Bloomington residents and offering a discounted buffet to IU students.

The Mac, located next to Mother Bear’s Pizza on Third Street, is owned by Afghan immigrant Nasir Ahmad Jallal and has been in operation in Bloomington since 2004. Jallal himself has been a citizen for almost as long.

“I am a very proud citizen for three years now,” he said.

In 2000, Jallal landed in Chicago and eventually moved to Indianapolis. He finally settled in Bloomington, where he operates the Mac as well as Kashan Oriental Rug, a fine rug repair service.

For the culture event, Jallal said he intends to have belly dancers dancing to traditional Afghan music.

In addition, the buffet will be discounted for IU students and will feature traditional Afghan food, including rice and gyro meat. Chicken and potatoes will be served in a traditional korma sauce, which is a tomato-based condiment.

Free samples will be available to visitors, including pieces of meat as well as babaganoush, a dish made of eggplant.

“Sometimes it’s hard to have even one dish over there because of the war situation,” Jallal said. “But this is a very traditional meal. ... For some people, it’s very new.”

Jallal said many students from small towns have not been exposed to Middle Eastern tastes before.

Matt Donovan, who was new to the Mac, said he was surprised.

“Good. Traditional. It’s surprising,” he said. “You don’t know what to expect from the outside.”

The restaurant has a Middle Eastern feel. Painted Turkish plates decorate the walls alongside ornate oriental rugs. At the front of the store, a traditional low-set Middle Eastern table is set with a candle and surrounded by cushions. Egyptian hookahs and traditional Afghan hats dot the shelves.

Mia Taljanovic, a senior at the Kelley School of Business, said she enjoyed her meal at the Mac. Taljanovic has been a customer for four years.

“It feels like you’re in someplace else,” Taljenovic said. “I think this place is honestly one of the most undervalued places at IU.”