GARY SEMAN JR.
| gseman@thisweeknews.com
Ahmed Quraja just can’t seem to stay in one place very long, probably a good thing for the operator of two food trucks.
Quraja, formerly of Lavash Café and Mezze Mediterranean Cuisine, is now the owner of two Zaki Mediterranean Grills, the most recent one hitting the streets earlier this year.
“I have a restaurant — on wheels,” he said. “I like to move around. I want to move around a lot.”
The Palestinian-born entrepreneur, known for his easy nature and helpful style, picked up cooking shortly after moving to the United States in 2006.
The food at Zaki — “delicious” in Arabic, is similar to other restaurants of the style: chicken kebabs, gyros, bowls, sandwiches and appetizers, such as falafel, babagannoush, hummus, grape leaves and tzatziki.
All entrees are $10 or less and appetizers are $5 each.
One difference between Zaki and its competitors: At the end of the day, all the leftovers are tossed.
“It costs money, but I’m happy to be fresh every day,” Quraja said.
Zaki, which was founded three years ago, also serves a special yellow basmati rice with vegetables.
Quraja is known for his friendly style, having cooked and warmly greeted customers at his former jobs. He recruited Armaanii Howard from Mezze to join him.
“The people love him,” Howard said. “The people love his food — it speaks for itself.”
His plan was to open a small restaurant, but raising the capital was difficult. While searching on eBay he found a truck, which was located in Georgia.
He purchased the truck and took a few months to equip it. His second truck hit the streets this past winter.
As for a brick-and-mortar location, “I’m thinking about a restaurant but I want to do a small place,”
To check out Zaki’s locations, visit streetfoodfinder.com/ZakiGrill or call 614-377-1274.
Here’s Jony’s
Jony’s Sushi isn’t open yet in German Village, but there is a way to sample its fare.
South Village Grille, next door at 197 Thurman Ave., will offer limited selections of sashimi, nigiri, rolls and other items from Jony’s, which is taking over the old theDogWorks/Cats2 space at 195 Thurman Ave.
Jony Ventura, owner of the sushi place, said he doesn’t have an opening date planned yet. The carryout-only spot will offer walk-in, call-ahead and online ordering and third-party delivery when it opens.
Pancakes and gelato
The Pancake House and a related gelateria will replace Wholly Joe’s in Lewis Center.
The restaurant, serving up diner classics, and Gelatolicious are expected to open in the beginning of November at 1182 E. Powell Road.
The independent concepts are owned by Robert and Janell Rando, who operate another Pancake House at 129 W. Schrock Rd. in the Westerville area. It does not serve gelato.
The bill of fare consists of popular breakfast foods, sandwiches, burgers, chili and salads.
But pancakes are the big thing, Janell Rando said. Among the signature options are cinnamon roll pancakes, churro pancakes (deep-fried and topped with powdered sugar, cinnamon and a tres leches drizzle) and cornmeal pancakes.
Another specialty is house-made chorizo, which is part of the popular chorizo skillet served with homemade salsa, Rando said. Omelets are always made from three fresh-cracked eggs, she said.
Daily lunch specials include all-American plates such as meatloaf and chicken and noodles.
The plan is to be open early morning through lunch daily, Janell Rando said.
The Randos opened their first Pancake House in 2009.
Dispatch restaurant reporter Gary Seman Jr. can be reached at onrestaurants@dispatch.com
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