Dining
BY JOVANNA AGUILAR
Raja Mediterranean Food & Sweets o ers a variety of appetizers including falafel ($5.99) .
Grape leaves ($4.99) have rice, parsley and spices.
The mixed grill ($19.99) is made with halal lamb, beef and chicken and served with a side of sa ron rice.
PHOTOS BY JOVANNA AGUILAR COMMUNITY IMPACT
Raja Mediterranean Food & Sweets serving Cy-Fair
Growing up in Lebanon, Azmi Alwan said it was a custom for his family to sit down and have at least one meal together a day. The oldest of nine siblings, Alwan often helped his mother prepare large spreads of Mediterranean dishes for dinner. After moving to the United States, Alwan turned what started as a family tradition into his passion with his own restaurant, Raja Mediter- ranean Food & Sweets, which opened in 2018 in Cy-Fair. “Everything you see here is authentic and handmade,” Alwan said. “If you come into my house, that’s what I’m going to feed you.” What’s special about it? At Raja Mediterranean Food & Sweets, Alwan’s mission is to oer quality Mediterranean dishes at an aordable price. “Our mission is not to get rich overnight but to keep the legacy going,” Alwan said. “These are mom, grandmas recipes. It's not like something you could Google.” The restaurant is for anyone looking for rich and avorful Mediterranean dishes with vegetar- ian options as well as halal meats. Alwan said with halal meat, prepared accord- ing to Islamic law, people can consume meat in a healthier way while ensuring ethical treatment of animals that adheres to specic dietary guidelines. With dishes made from scratch including its
sauces and naan bread, the beef and lamb gyro is among the restaurant's favorites. Other favorites include the chicken shawarma wrap, a Lebanese sandwich, vegetarian platter and Mediterranean fries. For dessert, Raja Mediterranean Food & Sweets serves baklava, a pastry stued with pecan cinnamon, honey and pistachio. Staying local To help out the community in 2020, after losing clientele due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alwan said he gave away 30-40 meals daily from March-August to people in need. The act of kindness brought customers in from all over the surrounding Houston area, and many customers provided the restaurant with large contributions helping the business stay aoat. However, since relocating in 2024, Alwan said he unfortunately lost some of his clientele. Though the restaurant only relocated about a mile away, many customers assumed the restau- rant permanently closed. The relocation allows him to continue serving aordable, quality dishes on Jones Road. In addi- tion to its dining services, Raja Mediterranean Food & Sweets oers catering, hookah and free restaurant reservations for large parties. While Alwan said he would like to focus on the Raja Mediterranean Food & Sweets current location he hopes to expand with a new location in the Katy or Woodlands area in the near future.
Baba ganough ($4.99) consist of grilled eggplant pureed with tahini, olive oil and lemon juice.
Owner Azmi Alwan said his priority is to o er quality Mediterranean food at an a ordable price.
P R
E S S N .
1960
WINDFERN RD.
N
11600 Jones Road, Ste. 103, Houston www.rajamedfood.com
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CYFAIR JERSEY VILLAGE EDITION
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