Three new Mediterranean restaurants in Turlock serve kabobs, gyros, health foods
Two new Mediterranean restaurants have opened in Turlock, and one more is coming. While under the same culinary umbrella, each of the three eateries has its own pocket in the category of Mediterranean food.
One restaurant serves kabobs, one describes itself as a healthy, aesthetic kitchen, and the third centers on Greek street food.
Here’s more on Kabob Place Mediterranean Grill, Zalata Kitchen and Nick the Greek.
Kabob restaurant opens across from Stanislaus State University
Brothers Banipal Antonian, a former truck driver, and Ramsin Antonian, a Turlock caterer, opened Kabob Place Mediterranean Grill on April 15. Banipal’s son, Yohan Antonian, helps run the restaurant.
“My uncle’s been in the culinary industry for over 16 years and he’s always had a dream, and my dad always had a passion for cooking kebabs,” Yohan Antonian said. “(My dad) just kind of gambled, sold his truck and told my uncle, ‘Let’s just do it.’”
He said they found a good lease on the building at 3821 Crowell Road, which previously housed Cajun Bento.
The bestseller at Kabob Place, as you can likely guess, is kabob plates. There are chicken, lamb and beef kabob rice plates, salads and sandwiches.
Appetizers include dolma, sabzi (an herb and feta cheese platter), hummus and cucumber yogurt dip.
Kabob Place is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Corn’d Korean Corndogs owners open aesthetic Mediterranean kitchen
An unassuming exterior gives way to a photogenic modern café on Geer Road. This is owner Romeo Esho’s third venture into the food and nightlife space, joining Xhale Ultra Hookah Lounge in downtown and Corn’d Korean Corndogs, which is next door to his new business, Zalata Kitchen.
Zalata means “salad” in Assyrian, a nod to Esho’s culture.
Walking into Zalata feels like visiting a trendy spot in Los Angeles or San Francisco. The interior has a California clean aesthetic with beige walls and a large picture of Marilyn Monroe blowing a bubble with chewing gum, as well as a row of bench seating with decorative pampas grass.
The drinks and food fit the theme. There are seven matcha selections with colorful layers and combinations, like salted date, blueberry and strawberry cream, and several cold-pressed juice drinks. Zalata serves protein shakes, cold brews and a hot Turkish coffee — full-bodied and creamy, made the traditional way.
The fare is fresh and clean, with large salads and bowls. For example, the “noodella” is a romaine lettuce-based salad with rice noodles, shredded carrots, cucumbers, pickled ginger, green onions, shredded chicken and a sesame ginger dressing.
The menu is customizable. You can add and subtract from the menu selections or create your own bowl. For a heartier meal, Zalata has avocado toasts, sandwiches and a steak wrap.
Ordering is done through iPads or the Zalata app.
Zalata is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2679 Geer Road.
Nick the Greek opening fourth Stanislaus County location
Nick the Greek, a fast-casual, Mediterranean street food chain, soon will open its fourth Stanislaus County location. It will be at 2870 W. Monte Vista Ave.
The other Stanislaus locations are in Modesto, Riverbank and Ceres.
Nick the Greek was founded in San Jose by three cousins of Greek descent, all named Nick. The restaurant serves fry-stuffed gyros, loaded fries, burgers, bowls and salads.
The company does not have a set date for the Turlock restaurant’s opening, a representative said.
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