Ayat, a Palestinian Restaurant, to Open in Richardson
Ayat, a Palestinian restaurant with several locations in Brooklyn; the East Village of Manhattan; Princeton, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is opening in Richardson — in just a few months.
The Discovery of a New Location
Nearly two weeks ago, owner Abdul Elenani came to Dallas to help a friend transition their burger cart into a storefront, he said in an Instagram post announcing the decision. While in town, he met someone in real estate who showed him a few places. The next thing he knew, he was signing a lease.
“I never thought I’d be opening a place across the country,” Elenani says. “It was meant to be; I told him whatever [the price is], I’m taking it.” Seriously. Elenani says he didn’t even look to see what the market rate should be until a day after completing the deal. And this was his first-ever trip to Dallas.
A Unique Addition to Richardson’s Dining Scene
Sure, Richardson already has a slew of Lebanese, Syrian, and Turkish restaurants, along with plenty of others that self-identify using broader descriptions like Middle Eastern or Mediterranean, and other halal restaurants. However, this will be its first Palestinian restaurant, and Elenani plans to use that as an opportunity to put classic and underappreciated regional dishes on display. “Staple items like hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, falafel, shawarma, and kebabs are all part of the Middle Eastern region,” he says. The staple dishes of Palestinian food will be on the menu in Texas, including m sakhan (fresh taboon bread with sauteed onions, sumac, pine nuts, and a half chicken), fattat jaj (six-layer dish with roasted chicken, rice, chickpeas, mint yogurt, crispy pita, garlic sauce, and slivered almonds), Mansaf (bone-in lamb chunks in a stew with fermented yogurt sauce served over a bed of fresh sajj bread and rice), and more.
“A lot of restaurants don’t [have these dishes] because it is hard to have them on the menu all the time,” Elenani says.
The Mission of Ayat
According to Elenani, what future diners need to know about Ayat is this: “Number one, we are all about what’s happening in Palestine, addressing the occupation through peace and love, and trying to bring people together to cut this animosity crap out.”
At his other locations, the restaurant has been on a mission to educate about Palestine, and how Jews, Muslims, and Christians have gotten along in the Gaza Strip for generations because of its “holy connection to our religions.” “We have always gotten along together; what has been happening in the last 76 years?” he asks. “Why is this creating all this havoc in the world when it is not supposed to? It’s messed up.”
Elsewhere, that educational commitment involved printing the history of Palestine and basic geographic and cultural facts on the menu, but Elenani says right now he has no idea what it will entail in Texas. “I only do what feels right,” he says. “I get backlash from my own people [for the things I say].” His response to those people? “Shut the fuck up… It is as simple as getting along together. Let’s remove any regime that will occupy any people, whether you’re Jewish, Christian, or Muslim.” Elenani, and Ayat at large, do not support Hamas, he says. “We are about getting along in peace, and nothing else.”
Previous Controversies and Future Plans
Previously, Ayat was inundated with one-star reviews on Google and Yelp in October 2023 in the wake of the conflict in Gaza, Eater New York reports.
In preparation, Ayat’s suppliers for halal meats will begin distributing in Texas to accommodate the restaurant, Elenani says. He expects the restaurant to open in three or four months, noting he has already found and hired a demolition crew to clean the space that he’s leased out and complete the whole renovation project.
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Conclusion
Ayat’s opening in Richardson marks a significant addition to the city’s dining scene, offering a unique opportunity for residents to experience Palestinian cuisine and culture. With its mission to promote peace and understanding, Ayat is set to become a hub for community building and education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What type of cuisine will Ayat serve?
A: Ayat will serve Palestinian cuisine, including dishes such as msakhan, fattat jaj, and Mansaf.
Q: What is the mission of Ayat?
A: Ayat’s mission is to promote peace and understanding through education and community building, addressing the occupation of Palestine through peace and love.
Q: When is Ayat expected to open?
A: Ayat is expected to open in three or four months, with renovations currently underway.
Q: Will Ayat have halal options?
A: Yes, Ayat will have halal options, with suppliers for halal meats already lined up to distribute in Texas.
