Mena's Mediterranean Grill, Matthews

At just 18 years old, Mena's Mediterranean Grill owner Mena Effat has two goals: serve delicious, yet healthy food at affordable prices, and stand as an inspiration to young female entrepreneurs. Inside her restaurant, Mena oversees a menu built around Mediterranean specialties, with a hint of Mexican for good measure. On it, shish kabobs, seafood platters, and potatoes stuffed with ground beef populate the entrée section, while sweets such as baklava and apricot pudding headline various desserts. Fruit smoothies carry Mena's health-attentive tune, including freshly cut mango, strawberry, and lemon.