SOMERSET — A new food truck has rolled into Somerset, serving up authentic Lebanese cuisine “made with love.”
After making a name for themselves in Arizona, Homemade Mediterranean recently made the cross-country trek to its East Coast home on Wilbur Liquors’ Route 103 property, just across the street from Jillian’s, where it overlooks the water.
The journey has been long and not easy for owner Hiba Saab, but she is excited to embark on this latest — and hopefully final — leg of it with her return to Massachusetts.
Food truck moves from Arizona to Somerset
A native of Lebanon, Saab immigrated to Franklin, where she lived for 23 years before deciding to pack up and get in on the sunshine, warm weather and food truck scene in Arizona.
Saab, who has worked in restaurants and had a passion for cooking since she was 8, partnered with her mother — the first to show her the ropes in the kitchen — on her Tucson, Arizona, business.
There, she first opened Homemade Mediterranean food truck, which she operated for four years before a family emergency prompted them to return to the Bay State.
“It was a lot of money, and lot of struggle,” she said.
Saab moved several times over the past year, staying with family before she eventually found a place in Swansea, where she looked to continue her food truck operation.
The wheels started turning on the 1905 Wilbur Ave. site — located right along the Lee River — two months ago, and now Saab is thrilled to introduce her Middle Eastern cuisine to a brand new group of customers and prospective regulars.
“I like the area. … It’s near the water. It was a great spot for me,” said Saab, whose truck opened in Somerset on July 19.
What’s on the menu at Homemade Mediterranean?
Prepare to “transport your senses to the sunny shores of the Mediterranean,” their Facebook page teases.
An authentic Lebanese feast awaits at Homemade Mediterranean, where you can find a taste of tradition with organic, made-from-scratch offerings.
“It’s old recipes and I keep it the same … the way the Lebanese food should be, that’s how I do it,” Saab said.
The current menu is limited as Saab settles in and the truck gets rolling, focusing on a couple of Lebanese staples that will rotate each day.
”Every day it’s a different thing,” Saab said, “until I know what people like and don’t like.” The entrepreneur then plans to expand food truck offerings based on customer feedback.
Some popular items Saab has been serving up on Wilbur Avenue include chicken shawarma, falafel, kafta, cauliflower wraps and hummus dip.
Tuscon’s loss is SouthCoast’s gain
Fans from Tuscon are already missing their favorite go-to for Lebanese cuisine — chiming in on Homemade Mediterranean’s Facebook page with well-wishes. But their loss is the SouthCoast’s gain.
Though it’s been less than a week since their debut, it’s already caught the attention of passersby who have popped in to check it out and are spreading the word.
“Best hummus and falafel!” one customer stated via Facebook.
“It’s been good,” said Saab, who runs the Somerset truck with the help of her son, Danny Fares. “There are already people coming back and saying they love the food.”
She noted that locals have also expressed excitement that they now have somewhere close by to satisfy their craving for Middle Eastern cuisine.
Much like in Arizona — where they were voted No. 1 in Tucson’s top eats — Saab’s mobile eatery is a much-welcome addition to an area that could be considered a foodie desert when it comes to Lebanese fare. Before their arrival, the closest place to find it was Lebanese Pita Pocket, which opened recently on Martine Street in Fall River.
A foodie destination year-round
While Saab anticipates mostly takeout, customers have the option to sit down and stay a while.
There is seating offered on site, so guests can enjoy their Mediterranean fare while taking in the water views of the Lee River, making it a perfect summertime stop.
But if you miss them during the craziness of summer, have no fear because it looks like they will be sticking around.
Saab plans to keep Homemade Mediterranean food truck open year-round.
When can I visit Homemade Mediterranean?
Homemade Mediterranean is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday.
To get a taste of what they offer, visit their Facebook or Instagram pages.
Dining and Cooking