El Morocco Restaurant is a family-owned local business in Pleasant Hill, California, that has been serving the community for 42 years. Over four decades, it has welcomed and served its wonderful guests, who it considers more like family than guests.
The restaurant is known for its unique Moroccan ambiance, belly dancing shows, and delicious cuisine.
However, El Morocco, like many other businesses, has faced significant challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The interior of a Moroccan restaurant.
The History of El Morocco
Opening in 1977, El Morocco was one of the first original Moroccan restaurants in California. Fadil moved his operations to El Morocco in Concord/Pleasant Hill area when The Casbah on Broadway closed.
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The restaurant is furnished with cozy, low couches and is covered in vintage and authentic Moroccan silk tapestries from the floor to the canopy ceiling. You will feel as if you were enjoying your dinner in a comforting Moroccan atmosphere.
The Menu and Entertainment
The full dinner option at El Morocco includes your choice of entree and delicious Maghreb Salad, Lentil Soup (Harira), Bastilla, freshly brewed sweetened mint tea, and Baklava pastry. Additionally, we offer a wide selection of imported and domestic wine and beer, as well as a full bar.
El Morocco offers belly dancing shows Friday-Saturday. The first show starts at 7:30 pm and the second at 9:00 pm. On Thursday’s and Sunday’s we have one show at 8:00 pm.
Belly dancers are a common form of entertainment in Moroccan restaurants.
Challenges and Community Support
COVID-19 sanctions have significantly impacted El Morocco, affecting staff, the building landlord, and vendors. The primary goal is to raise enough money to cover rent, vendor payments, and staff wages.
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The owners express deep gratitude to the community for its support and hope to continue serving as local business owners for many years to come. They have enjoyed serving our community as local business owners.
A Look Back at Similar Establishments
To understand the unique position El Morocco holds, it's helpful to look back at similar establishments. El Morocco, sometimes nicknamed Elmo or Elmer, was a 20th-century nightclub in the Manhattan borough of New York City. After prohibition was repealed, it became one of the most popular establishments in New York City. Its regular clientele consisted of fashionable society, politicians, and entertainers.
The neighborhood started changing after World War II. In 1992, it operated as a topless bar.
The Casbah on Broadway also played a significant role in the local entertainment scene. The bartender at the Casbah Cabaret was Haroun (Tony).
The Evolution of Middle Eastern Music and Dance in the Bay Area
The closure of establishments like The Casbah and The Bagdad led to the emergence of new venues and collaborations. Amina and the Aswan Dancers started a series of shows called Cairo Cabaret at Capp Street Center, using unemployed musicians. This evolved into Susu's drum group and drum compositions, with the Cairo Cats becoming "Drummers who Danced and Dancers who Drummed."
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The opening of Shaherezade in Jack London Square and other clubs like Petra, Luxor, and Arabian Knights changed the landscape. Amina and the Aswan Dancers started new bands, including El Scarabu and The Karnak Players.
Loay found El Valenciano and we all got to be together again and we made our band even bigger - we invited Shar to play bass guitar, I played congas, Raed played keys, Loay played duf, Husain played oud, Reda came back playing tabla, sometimes Imad played percussion also. And then we started looking for a singer. Jacques wanted to have a dance band just like “back home.”
Timeline of Key Events
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| Mid 1980s | The Casbah on Broadway closed, Fadil moved to El Morocco in Pleasant Hill. The Bagdad on Broadway lost its lease and closed. |
| Mid 1980s | Amina and the Aswan Dancers started Cairo Cabaret at Capp Street Center. |
| 1990s | Shaherezade opened in Jack London Square, leading to less availability of musicians for Cairo Cabaret. |
| Various | Amina and the Aswan Dancers formed new bands like El Scarabu and The Karnak Players. |
| Various | Loay found El Valenciano, leading to the formation of a larger band. |
The Current State
El Morocco continues to operate, offering a unique dining and entertainment experience. Nader and Bashir perform there regularly.
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