Taste Local

PHOTOS AND STORY BY ROB MORRIS ALEXANDRIA

MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE

Hamid Mehrabian has been working in restaurants since he was 16-years old. He started washing dishes as a teenager, but it didn’t take long for him to dive into cooking. From that point on, the flame was lit.

“I went to UCO back when it was Central State,” said Mehrabian, “And right after I graduated in 1984, a couple of buddies and myself put some money together and opened my first restaurant.”

That first restaurant was Papa’s Pizza. 37-years later, Mehrabian is still passionate about delivering the highest quality food to local diners. And for him, opening a restaurant with a Mediterranean menu was a no-brainer.

Alexandria Mediterranian Cuisine is a fast-casual restaurant conveniently located on South Western, just north of Westmoore High School. Mehrabian and his partner, Jim Vana, own the shopping center where the restaurant is located. He says he’s been thinking about this specific concept for about six years.

“People are much more health-conscious today, and it’s a very healthy food,” said Mehrabian. “There’s no grease involved in the cooking. We cook on an open flame, and so we’re able to present a menu that includes gyros, kebabs, and appetizers that are delicious and very healthy.”

In addition, Mehrabian says that aside from the meat used in their gyros, they make their food from scratch, including their delicious desserts.

“We get our gyro from one of the top two gyros meat vendors around,” said Mehrabian. “And of course, we cook it as a cone on a vertical rotisserie.”

Alexandria Mediterranean Cuisine is a classic “fast-casual” concept. Diners order at the counter and then have their food delivered to their tables. The atmosphere is bright and open, with plenty of space and large windows, along with two beautiful wall paintings that hint at the Mediterranean location. Mehrabian says he and his team have worked hard to make their food stand out.

“You are going to get a really good-sized portion for the price,” said Mehrabian, “Whether you get a salad, a sandwich, or a plate, it’s all very reasonably priced. And we would invite people to give us a try and then try our competitors. We believe you’re going to taste a difference in the food we prepare for you.”

Jim Vana is Mehrabian’s partner. He says it’s his first venture into the restaurant business, but Mehrabian’s experience and passion were an easy decision.

“He’s been doing this for some 30-to-40 years,” said Vana. “What sold me on him and this restaurant is that I saw the love and passion he puts in every piece of food that comes out of his kitchen. It’s not just that he wants to be successful, and he has this burning desire to make sure people get the best food and service possible when they come to his restaurant to eat.”

Mehrabian says providing the highest level of customer satisfaction is just the way he’s wired.

“I want my customers to talk to me,” said Mehrabian. “Let me know if there’s anything we can do better. I want to make them 100% happy.”

Alexandria Mediterranean Cuisine offers dine-in and curbside pickup. Delivery is available through Grubhub.