America.
For therefore many individuals, for thus many generations, America has been the land of alternative, a spot to begin and a spot to seek out goals. And people had been the very issues that introduced Sophia Al-siroa and her household to America in 1999, after leaving Lebanon to seek out new and higher alternatives for the long run. Their arrival in America, nonetheless, didn’t occur instantly. The household hung out in Canada earlier than touchdown in Tallahassee, the place that they had household.
As completely different as Tallahassee was from house—and from Canada—the household fell in love with their new house. “We discovered the U.S. supplied higher for us as a household,” says Sophia’s son, Hussein Hussein.
Granted, it was not all clean crusing. “It was scary and completely different,” says Hussein, recalling the early days. “Tallahassee is stuffed with wonderful folks, however we gave the impression to be a number of the only a few Mediterranean folks round. We had been completely different than everybody.”
Nonetheless, Sophia and her household noticed a possibility within the variations and launched a restaurant that may introduce a few of their native meals to Tallahassee diners. Opening their doorways in 2000, Sahara Greek & Lebanese Café proved to be successful—after some admitted failures over time—to create one thing that may construct a household legacy of their new homeland. “We felt instantly accepted by everybody,” says Hussein. “It was much less concerning the cash and extra about being part of America.”
Twenty years in, “Mama Sophia” has created a menu of recipes that carry a style of the Mediterranean, made in the best way that they’ve at all times been made, again within the outdated nation and in accordance with custom. “It’s so exhausting, however so value it,” says Hussein. “We nonetheless make it like they do again house. We nonetheless boil our personal chickpeas and peel them to today.”
Credit score for the scrumptious meals that come out of the kitchen additionally goes to their unimaginable head cooks. “Shereen has been with the corporate for 9 years, and Maria has been on the firm for 18 years,” says Hussein. “Together with my mom, these wonderful ladies are actually a number of the greatest most proficient folks within the business.”
Together with Hussein and Mama Sophia, there are different family members who work at Sahara. “Mother’s sister in-law is the final supervisor, and her two wonderful daughters are server and entrance home supervisor,” Hussein notes. “Nonetheless, there are folks there that aren’t blood kinfolk who’re nonetheless simply as a lot part of our household. Loads of us have been to one another’s weddings, birthdays… Many particular events. We’ve got been in one another’s lives for a really very long time.”
Clearly, there’s something particular occurring at Sahara. The household dynamic extends to the visitors, and their meals is, merely said, made with love. “It’s all handmade, all made in home. Even our wine comes from northern Lebanon,” says Hussein.
Naturally, the menu contains a variety of Mediterranean classics akin to gyros, wraps, dolmas, and tobouleh. Together with the tzatziki, which Sahara sells greater than 120 of weekly, favorites embody Sahara Rose tea, falafel, lamb kebabs, hummus, and hen shawarma—all of that are labor intensive dishes that present the household’s dedication to high quality and taste.
“I simply love Sahara Greek & Lebanese Café,” says Tallahassee Foodies member Jenny Larsen Hogan. “I may actually drink the tzatziki.”
Provides Tallahassee Foodie Molly Woodsum, “Sahara is at all times a win in my e-book. A lot scrumptious meals to share with my husband and two boys!”
Fellow Foodie Elise Vendrone would agree. “I’ve to place a highlight on Sahara. Soooooo good. I’ve lived right here 4 years and didn’t know what I used to be lacking! I’ve been on a mission to seek out the very best Gyro in Tally, and I don’t even know if it’s value persevering with on, as a result of I’ll simply evaluate them to Sahara’s and be disenchanted!”
With every dish, Mama Sophia and her household at Sahara Greek & Lebanese Café are welcoming folks into their house, into their heritage, and bridging two worlds. It’s love on a plate, with generations of historical past behind it.
Discover Sahara Greek & Lebanese Café at:
Socials – Web site, Fb
Deal with – 1135 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee Florida 32301
Cellphone – (850) 656-1800
