You probably know Larry Miller as one of the biggest auto dealers along the Wasatch Front, not to mention as the owner of the Utah Jazz.
But, he's about to embark on a new venture-- the largest restaurant in the state. News Specialist Shelley Osterloh has the story.
A Mayan Temple rises up on Sandy's State Street.
The ornate designs are replicas of Mayan temples built around 1300 AD. Miller sent a crew of workers to take molds on the central American temples and recreate them for his Mayan Restaurant.
Inside, Miller has created a tropical rain forest. He says it's a sight that surprises many.
Larry Miller: BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO COME LOOK AROUND AND START TO TAKE IT IN AND JUST GO WOW.. THIS IS REALLY COOL.
Diners sit on several levels... in tree houses on the branches of four giant trees.
Miller's artists have recreated art and murals from the ancient temples. One depicts a game similar to basketball.
Larry Miller: THEY PLAYED GAMES, BALL GAMES. AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S OUT OF SCALE THAT'S A RUBBER BALL THEY PLAYED WITH. AND IT'S FEATURED IN A LOT OF MURALS AND TEMPLES.
The menu is mostly Mexican, with entrees all under $10.
But it is what Miller calls the "Show" that makes this place so unique.
Divers leap off of a 36 foot cliff, while tons of water rush into a 15 foot deep pool of water.
There's also a tropical storm and flash flood.
Larry Miller: THE FIRST PART IS THE GODDESS TUCOW WHO BRINGS THE RAIN AND NURTURES THE FOREST, AND SHE'S A REALLY PRETTY GAL -- A LOCAL GAL -- WHO IS PROJECTED INTO FOG WHERE THE WATER FALL IS.
Another Mayan God of nature named Kopac, emerges from the cliff --You may be able to see his rocky face.
Larry Miller: HE'S KIND OF ISSUING STERN WARNINGS ABOUT BEHAVING AND TAKING CARE OF THE FOREST AND THAT LIFE IS IMPORTANT AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
Miller's restaurant adventure includes some other creatures as well: Birds and iguanas that banter and sing.
These electric robots are operated back stage, sometimes by computer, others times by hand so they can interact with guests.
Each creature costs about $100,000.
There's also a 56 seat children's theater where kids can watch a puppet or magic show.
All of it designed, Miller says, to create a unique dining experience, that's a little different every visit.
Larry Miller: TO BRING PEOPLE INTO AN ATMOSPHERE, THAT IS CONTAINED AND CONTROLLED, THAT'S UPBEAT, FUN TO BE IN, UPLIFTING TO THE SPIRIT A LITTLE BIT, AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE FUN.
The Mayan Restaurant is located at the Jordan Commons at 94th South and State.
It's scheduled to open on March 8th.
And there's still a lot to be done -- from rehearsing the show, to hiring the 500 employees who will work there.
