Cover Story “THIS CITY HAS given us so much that we want to give back. We recognize that we’re not anything without the city, so we want to show the love back.”
Recipe for success Great food and a comfortable, family atmosphere make Prince Lebanese Grill one of the area’s culinary treasures
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rom the moment you walk into Prince Lebanese Grill, you can sense something special is going on here. This old renovated drive-in does not look like it would be the culinary staple it has become. Upon entering you are immediately greeted by young, friendly faces. The smiles on the staff are contagious. If you happen to find yourself here at lunch you’ll see a dining room that is buzzing, not to mention hot fresh plates of traditional Lebanese cuisine being served out of the open kitchen. Orders come out just as fast as the waitresses can put them in. It’s no surprise that this family-owned and operated business has been feeding hungry north Texans since 1989. “Serving good food and making good friends, these are the best parts of my day,” says Francis Kobty, aka “Prince,” with a smile. Francis came to this county in the 1970s. His dream was always to come to America. He says Arlington, Texas, has allowed him to live out the American dream. Francis and his wife, Amira, have raised four kids here, all of whom had to put their time in at the family business. Prince is about more than just food. “We do make great food, but a lot of people can make good food. What sets us apart is our people. The atmosphere, passion and attitude we strive for at Prince are unmatched. From the moment you walk through the door you are truly part of our family,” professes Aziz Kobty, Francis’s son and the restaurant’s General Manager. “Family meals were a big part of my life growing up,” Aziz says. It was how you got together. We are truly blessed to be able to earn 22
ARLINGTON TODAY • July 2018 • arlingtontoday.com
For nearly three decades, the Kobty family – Aziz, Amira and patriarch Francis – have devoted their lives to making Prince Lebanese Grill one of the premier restaurants in town.
a living by sharing food and making people happy.” In 2007, Prince moved locations to 502 W. Randol Mill Road. While it was in the heart of a bustling area, it wasn’t the primo location it would soon become. “There was no Cowboys stadium then,” Aziz says, nodding up the road toward the massive state-of-the-art complex that is home to the Dallas Cowboys, NCAA Championship games, and just about any other major musical or entertainment event. “We got lucky; turned out this is the best location in town now.” “We are proud to be a family restaurant here,” says Aziz, as he turns to his younger cousin Maddux, who is the kitchen manager. “We employed countless cousins, brothers, sisters and even friends of the family. A lot of the kids here, this is their first job. I take pride in the fact that we can give these kids a job and teach them responsibility and customer service.” Aziz says his father had another gift, as well. “My biggest inspiration is definitely my father,” he says. “He came to this country over 40 years ago to start a new life. He did not start with much; his father passed when he was very young, and his mom was a seamstress. He taught me how to work hard and treat people the right way. He has an unbelievable work ethic and commitment to his craft. I try to model everything I do in our business and life after the example he has set.” Aziz followed his father’s footsteps to the restaurant, but he laughs at the notion that he really had a choice.
“My dad opened the original Prince back in 1989 on the same day I was born,” he says. “You could say that I knew my calling from the day I was born. The hospital I was born in is on the other side of the street 100 yards from where I go to work everyday. My friends and family joke that it took me 30 years just to cross the street.” Together, the Kobty family and the extended family that grows virtually by the day have made Prince Lebanese Grill a lunch and dinner “home” for hungry Texans. The staff contains dozens of employees, including part-time help. There are cooks, dishwashers, hostesses, cashiers, managers and waitresses, and you’ll rarely find a moment when all of them aren’t smiling. “We are proud to have grown this concept to employ so many amazing people,” Aziz says. Francis and Aziz Kobty are no strangers to the kitchen. In fact, Aziz says, they love to challenge the cooks on staff to see who can prepare the tastiest dish. “We try to provide the best work atmosphere possible. We want it to be fun. We want you to know that we care about you and your future. We consider every employee like family. Our team is made up of brothers and sisters of our community. At Prince one of our top priorities is community service.” To that end, the Kobtys support a wide array of charitable and civic projects, from youth team sponsorships to service in various endeavors that enhance Arlington. Francis, Amira, Aziz and Co. routinely Francis and Aziz Kobty are no strangers to prepare meals for the kitchen. In fact, Aziz says, they love to challenge the cooks on staff to see who can guests of the Arlington prepare the tastiest dish. Convention and Visitors Bureau. It was Photos: Richard Greene Prince Lebanese Grill that answered the call for a dessert, their famous baklava, that became the stakes of a bet between the mayors of Arlington and St. Louis prior to the 2011 World Series. The Kobtys also support the City Council, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, the University of Texas at Arlington and the Arlington Police Foundation. “This city has given us so much that we want to give back,” Aziz says. “We just don’t say ‘no.’ We recognize that we’re not anything without the city, so we want to show the love back.” Of course, the consistent way Prince does that is through the food and atmosphere at the restaurant. On the latter front, Francis points
to one wall in the dining area marked by photographs of local sports heroes, all of whom have dropped by for a meal – or made it a habit to drop by for meals. “That’s our wall of fame,” he says with pride. Meanwhile, Amira is partial to the collection of photos and tapestries on another wall that represent special places and memories from the family’s homeland of Israel. Aziz notes yet another wall, which sports memorabilia representing gifts of thanks from military personnel and local students who helped shape the restaurant during their time working with the Kobtys. “It’s great to be able to share our food and culture with the community every day,” he says. “The walls help us tell our story.” As the legend of Prince Lebanese Grill has grown over the years, so, too has the facility. “We recently expanded our dining hall and menu.” Aziz says. “We have also recently remodeled.” Over the years, the restaurant has grown from 23 seats to 145 seats to meet the demand of hungry patrons, a portion of which choose to dine in the patio area under an array of fans. Wherever they opt to sit, they’re treated to a special meal. “We specialize in top-quality food,” Aziz says. “We use the freshest of ingredients and take pride in providing tasty, healthy options. Our style of food is Lebanese/ Mediterranean.” Among the items that make visitors go “yum” are the homemade creamy hummus, bite-sized falafel, crisp Tabouli salad, fresh-made Shawarma, Gyro plates and “The Prince Special.” The full-service restaurant offers dine-in, take-out, catering and online delivery. Still, Aziz reiterates, Prince Lebanese Grill is more than just a scrumptious lunch or dinner – however or wherever it is served. “We provide a dynamic environment where you can enjoy a great meal with your friends and family,” he says. “We love sharing food and experiences with people. Our vision at Prince is top-quality food, reasonable prices and a family environment. Prince Lebanese Grill’s philosophy is to take care of others. From the customers to the staff we strive to treat everyone like family. We try to bring this passion into everything that we do here, and I think people can taste it in the food.” arlingtontoday.com • July 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY
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