Naf Naf Grill has seen lines out the door since opening its first East Coast location in King of Prussia one month ago. Now, the Middle Eastern fast casual restaurant expects even more local love when it opens its doors to a second Pennsylvania location on November 3 in downtown Philadelphia. Located at 1919 Market Street, the flagship East Coast location will be situated in the up and coming Market Street neighborhood. Two additional locations are set to open in Malvern, Penn, and Marlton, New Jersey, in 2017.
To celebrate the grand opening, Naf Naf Grill will hold an event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on November 3 that will feature free pita sandwiches, fries and drinks (one each per customer). After, the restaurant will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Naf Naf Grill Center City will hold a capacity of 45 seats and create approximately 25 new jobs in the community.
“Market Street is the perfect location for Naf Naf Grill’s flagship East Coast location because it’s seeing the same growth and expansion that we are,” says David Sloan, co-CEO of Naf Naf Grill. “This neighborhood is growing both commercially and residentially, just as Naf Naf Grill is expanding outside of our Midwestern roots. 1919 Market Street lets us do what we do best—spread the Naf Love to new folks every day. ”
The “Naf Love” is a term the restaurant uses to describe the love and passion it pours into the food and commitment to making their customers and employees happy. It is the driving force behind the success of Naf Naf Grill. By taking the time to slow-cook shawarma throughout the day and baking pita fresh daily, while making fries and salads with only the best ingredients, Naf Naf Grill is on track to build a loyal following in Mount Laurel.
Finding something everyone likes at Naf Naf Grill is simple—start with a pita or bowl of basmati rice, romaine lettuce, couscous or hummus and then add in chicken shawarma, steak shawarma or falafel. The customer then gets the option of adding in chopped or purple cabbage salad, sumac onions and pickles before finishing off the dish with garlic, amba, tahini, harissa or s’khug sauces. The customer can complete their meal with Naf fries, lentil soup or basmati rice as a side dish.
Founded in 2009, Naf Naf Grill has grown to be the go-to destination for fresh, authentic Middle Eastern food. What started in a former run-down Taco Bell in Naperville has since seen a rapid expansion with locations opening in downtown Chicago, Minneapolis, Madison, Wisc. and more restaurants on the way in Detroit, New Jersey and Milwaukee.
“We never dreamed that our little shack would grow this much throughout Chicagoland and now beyond,” says co-CEO Sahar Sander. “Our shawarma, falafel and freshly baked pita have built a strong following in the City of Broad Shoulders, and we are excited to do the same in the City of Brotherly Love.”
