New York City’s Top Palestinian Restaurant Ayat Is Opening a Location in Richardson, Texas | Eater Dallas
"An expanding Palestinian restaurant group with locations in Brooklyn, Manhattan's East Village, Princeton, NJ, and Philadelphia is opening a new outpost in Richardson, Texas after owner Abdul Elenani impulsively signed a lease during his first trip to Dallas. The kitchen will showcase classic and underappreciated Palestinian dishes alongside familiar Middle Eastern staples such as hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, falafel, shawarma, and kebabs; highlighted regional plates include m'sakhan (fresh taboon bread with sautéed onions, sumac, pine nuts, and a half chicken), fattat jaj (a six-layer dish with roasted chicken, rice, chickpeas, mint yogurt, crispy pita, garlic sauce, and slivered almonds), and Mansaf (bone-in lamb chunks stewed in fermented yogurt sauce served over fresh sajj bread and rice). The owner presents the restaurant as an educational space that addresses the occupation through peace and community-building—previous locations have printed Palestinian history and cultural facts on menus—and stresses the operation does not support Hamas. Despite receiving a wave of one-star reviews after the Gaza conflict in October 2023 and occasional backlash for outspoken views, preparations continue: halal meat suppliers are expanding distribution to Texas, a demolition crew has been hired for renovations, and the new location is expected to open in three to four months." - Courtney E. Smith
