Mediterranean restaurant La’Baik should open in the next several weeks in the former Rubia’s Tacos at 2309 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray, its owner tells ALXnow.
Rubia’s, which was previously Stomping Ground for eight years, closed in January, and new restaurant owner Mohammad Abdel-Hay is keeping the interior and equipment and tables and chairs as-is, only changing the menu, staff and signage.
“If we get a couple more city approvals, I’m hoping to open in the next two-to-three weeks,” Abdel-Hay said.
La’Baik translated from Arabic means “at your service.”
Abdel-Hay, who lives with his family in Lorton, said that he’d been looking for the perfect location for six months. He signed a five-year lease with two options for extensions, and he said that the menu will include gyros, chicken, falafel, pita pockets, flatbread pizza and wraps.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll be there for 10-to-15 years.”
He also said that customers should be able to get their food within three minutes.
“It’s going to be exactly like an assembly line,” he said. “The lamb, chicken, beef and the falafels are going to be pre-made and it will be ready to serve.”
It will be the first solo restaurant for Abdel-Hay. His family owns the New York Grill in northwest D.C., and he worked in the family business for most of his life. Abdel-Hay took a break from restaurants for the last eight years, and is co-owner of an auto body shop and dealership in Fairfax County.
Abdel-Hay says that diners should expect so spend less than $20 per visit. He also wants the restaurant to be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.