Saif Makableh's passion for food, family and tradition paved the way for his unlikely path to owning an award-winning restaurant, Mazra, in San Bruno. And in the next few months, Mazra will open its second location at 2021 Broadway in Redwood City as the original location undergoes renovations.
The smell of burning mesquite over an open flame barbecue perfectly charring various proteins is nostalgic for Makableh, but he said it's the traditional way to cook kebabs.
"As soon as I smell lamb fat dripping on the charcoal, I am immediately reminded of where I am from," Makableh said. "I remember being a kid, visiting Jordan with my family and we would stop on the side of the road for a kebab from street vendors."
But with strict regulations against commercial outdoor barbecues, Makableh is bringing his 24-foot grill inside, which will need to be ventilated by powerful exhaust systems to pass health and safety inspections.
The new restaurant, which still needs to be fully furnished, is decorated with tile, a fountain, and a mural; Jordan Makableh said he wants to create an ambiance similar to the San Bruno location.
The backyard has a trellis covering the area that fits around 50 people and will be open for guests, and guests can reserve it for parties.
The Makablehs, who are from Jordan, a country in the Levant region, want it to feel like the community's second home. That's why the new location will offer free tea service, similar to the San Bruno. There will also be opportunities for live American music and music from the Levant region.
While it is important to elevate the dishes with colorful garnishes and unique flavors and experiment with new ideas, the heart and soul of the restaurant are found in the kebabs, all oh which are halal, Jordan Makableh said. Mazra offers lamb, beef kofta or ground beef, chicken, shrimp, octopus and oyster mushrooms for a vegan option.
"Walking around Jordan, the smell of cooked meat over charcoal is everywhere; it immediately triggers that memory when I smell the charred meat at the restaurant," Saif Makableh said.
The menu offers four different styles of wraps that cost around $13. The appetizers range from falafels, grilled artichokes, cauliflower, and Lavant-style deep-fried cheese. The plates range from $18 to $30 and include grilled lamb chops, fish rotisserie chicken, rice sides, pita bread, and house-made sauces.
Saif Makableh said it is important for the food to maintain its integrity and consistency.
The Makablehs have been busy trying to get the new location ready for the last few months. All of this is new for Makableh, who, during the peak of the lockdown, decided to transform his father's struggling grocery store into a restaurant without any prior restaurant experience.
"At that time, I was a bus driver, not doing much, and really crafting a menu and putting the pieces together," Saif Makableh said. "COVID hit, and it was perfect timing. I asked my dad if I could take it over and give the restaurant a shot."
Saif Makableh said he taught himself how to cook during his four years in Australia through Netflix films and YouTube videos. He said he is successful because he can reverse engineer foods and determine how flavors and ingredients complement each other. Combining his love for food and adventure with a leap of faith, Makableh joined forces with his father, Randy, and his brother, Jordan Makableh, to introduce traditional Levant dishes to the Bay Area. They aimed to fill a gap in the industry by offering these flavors in a casual dining setting.
During the first year in business, Saif Makableh said Mazra was named one of the top 100 restaurants in the country, which helped people in the area take notice of the growing Levant eatery.
The Redwood City location is anticipated to open around February or early March.
Visit www.eatmazra.com/ for more information about the restaurant
