In South Florida, particularly in Broward County, a wave of family-owned Arab food businesses is making its mark, rooted in the cultures of the Middle East and North Africa. These establishments offer a diverse range of culinary experiences, from traditional desserts to bold, flavorful dishes.
Among these culinary gems is Dar Tajine, a Moroccan restaurant in Plantation, owned by Amal Khallouke. Dar Tajine immerses diners in Moroccan culture with colorful fabric-lined walls and traditional décor like Babouche slippers and kaftans.
A traditional Moroccan Tajine dish.
The Story Behind Dar Tajine
Amal Khallouke's journey to opening Dar Tajine is rooted in her family's immigration story. Her family joined her after she came to the US through a government program. Recognizing a gap in the area’s diverse food scene, she decided to fill it.
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“We need a place that represents Moroccans ... especially here in South Florida, where you can find restaurants from everywhere in the world," Khallouke said, emphasizing the importance of representing Moroccan culture through food.
In the kitchen, Khallouke’s mother prepares slow-cooked lamb tajine with apricots and prunes, a fragrant dish named after the clay pot in which it's cooked. Meanwhile, her sisters manage the busy floor, creating a warm and home-like atmosphere. The women running Dar Tajine’s floor and kitchen pose for a photo.
Moroccan Mint Tea served in traditional glasses.
The Essence of Moroccan Cuisine
Khallouke emphasizes that Moroccan food is “made with love and spices,” and every dish showcases bold and unexpected flavor combinations, such as the bastilla, a savory pie filled with spiced chicken, eggs and almonds, topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon.
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She explains that for many first-time visitors, the unfamiliar dishes can be a bit intimidating, but once they take the leap and try them, they’re often pleasantly surprised by the flavors.
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“This is what life is about, to try something different," she said. "Why deprive yourself? Just try it! Maybe it’s something you’re really missing."
Creating a Home Away From Home
“My restaurant tells a story as soon as you open the door,” said Khallouke. “I want you to sit down like you are home, not thinking about anything, enjoying a really nice meal, a drink, the tea, and having conversation. It’s not only about business."
Dar Tajine aims to provide an immersive experience, inviting guests to feel as though they are dining in a Moroccan home, enjoying not just the food but also the culture and conversation.
Other Arab Culinary Ventures in South Florida
Like Kazimi, business owners of Arab restaurants in South Florida seek not only to serve Arab populations here but also to introduce their cultures and cuisines to people who haven't experienced them before.
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At a bustling night market in Pembroke Pines, the smoky scent of grilled churrasco and sizzling jerk chicken fills the air. Nestled between towering food trucks, Suzanne Kazimi and Mohamed Ziadeh’s small tent, ASKA Sweets, stands out as the only Arab food vendor.
Aska, meaning "delicious" in Arabic, perfectly represents the couple’s mission to share their signature treats, including sweet cream baklava and cheese-filled kunafa, with curious visitors.
After years of baking for friends and family, Kazimi, a former teacher, decided in 2021 to turn her passion for Middle Eastern desserts into a business. While precise numbers for South Florida are unknown, the growing number of Arab-owned food venues suggests a strong Arab presence in the region.
Kazimi takes special pride in introducing South Floridians to kunafa, a dessert made from crispy shredded filo dough, filled with cheese or cream and soaked in syrup.
While the sweet and salty mix often surprises first-time tasters, Kazimi encourages them to try it. “The kunafa is our heritage and what we’re known for but honestly a lot of the American community doesn’t know about it until they try," she added.
Visitors often ask Kazimi, a Pennsylvania native, and her husband, born and raised in Ohio, where they are from.
From his hometown, Egypt's capital Cairo, to pursue a career in cybersecurity 14 years ago, Sewellam’s frustration with the lack of Egyptian food in South Florida inspired him to take charge. He started his catering business in 2023, naming it after what he dubbed as “Egypt’s most iconic street food,” the Koshari.
A bowl of Koshari, an Egyptian street food dish.
Koshari is a bowl where rice is layered with lentils, chickpeas, and vermicelli pasta, and topped with a cumin-spiced tomato sauce and crunchy fried onions. It is customarily served with a side of two sauces: one spicy, and the other made of garlic and vinegar.
“Egyptian food has a lot of flavors and a lot of history. A lot of the dishes go back maybe thousands of years," Sewellam said.
Yahia Sewellam, co-owner of Koshari Shack, holds a bowl of Koshari, the traditional street food dish the restaurant is named after. Koshari Shack offers Zalabia, an Egyptian dessert, a sweet, crispy Egyptian dessert made from deep-fried dough soaked in syrup, often dusted with powdered sugar or topped with honey.
When Sewellam decided to open a brick-and-mortar location, his wife and son joined him in the kitchen, working alongside him to bring their family’s vision to life.
The halal restaurant offers casual, fast Egyptian street food like shawarma, thinly sliced roasted beef or chicken traditionally served in wraps or on platters, and hawawshi, a seasoned minced meat sandwich made with special Egyptian bread that Sewellam sources from New York and New Jersey to ensure authenticity.
And in order to make the food more relatable to his non-Arab clientele, Sewellam adapted the bowl concept. "Here, it’s not so different for people. They’re used to eating bowls and building their own, so it felt like a natural fit," he said.
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tags: #Moroccan
