Nearly a decade ago, a man named Moe brought a taste of his childhood home to the city and has since been serving authentic Middle Eastern cuisine in downtown Hanford via Zaytoona. On Friday, the restaurant will celebrate its 10th anniversary as part of the Hanford community.
Moe, who was born and raised in Jordan, developed a passion for food and hospitality early in life. He grew up in the restaurant industry, which instilled in him a deep appreciation for the flavors and traditions of Middle Eastern cuisine.
“In 2010, I made the decision to move to America in search of new opportunities. But by 2015, I realized something important — I couldn’t find a single restaurant that truly tasted like home,” Moe said. “That realization sparked a dream: to open a restaurant that would bring authentic Mediterranean flavors to a community that had never experienced them.”
His vision brought him to Hanford, a city he knew little about. He noticed a lack of restaurants serving Middle Eastern food and set out to find the perfect location for Zaytoona.
“Once I found the right location and set an opening date, the response from the community was overwhelming,” said Moe. “From the very beginning, we were welcomed with open arms. I knew in that moment that Zaytoona was going to be something special.”
The restaurant’s name means “olive” in Arabic, which Moe said is a symbol of heritage and nourishment. Olive trees are a staple throughout the restaurant’s décor, is featured on the staff uniforms, and many of the dishes feature olive oil.
“Zaytoona represents a bridge between my two homes: the traditions of Jordan and the community of Hanford,” said Moe.
Over the past ten years, Zaytoona has brought foreign tastes and flavors to the heart of the city, offering people an opportunity to try unique and different flavors without having to travel to Jordan for them.
Moe said on of his favorite, and one of the most rewarding, parts of opening Zaytoona is being able to introduce his cuisine to people who have never tried it before, and receiving their genuine reaction to its taste. HIs proudest achievement has been consistency in his original plans for the taste, quality, and service.
“The Hanford community — and even the surrounding areas — have been nothing but supportive,” said Moe. “But at the end of the day, the real success is being here, a decade later, still serving, still connecting, and still growing.”
He said working with Hanford and the community it brings has been an incredible experience, and that he and his staff are thankful for the support they’ve received.
“We couldn’t have picked a better location to call home,” said Moe.
On Friday, Zaytoona will celebrate its 10th anniversary as part of the city, and is inviting the community to join them in celebrating this milestone by indulging themselves in dishes such as Spicy Chicken or Lamb Chops. Their menu also includes sweet treats like traditional Baklava, Turkish Delights, and the viral Dubai Chocolate Bars.
Zaytoona is located at 129 W 7th Street and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.