Local Eats
COMING FULL CIRCLE Story by Natalie Caudle | Photos by Dakota Jacobi
There is something almost magical in a home-cooked meal. When living abroad, a bite of a traditional dish can somehow transport one back to the family table filled with timeless memories. Living within a neighborhood without similar ethnic roots can create a challenge when cooking up homemade favorites. But when a taste of home is found, it’s more than a delicious dinner--it’s finding a part of yourself that still lives in a land far away. When Mohamad and Sahar Dada emigrated from Lebanon in 1975, Mohamad hoped to someday open a bakery full of the delicacies he made back home. Two decades later, his dream became a reality. In 1996, the Dada family opened a Mediterranean grocery store and bakery. Working side-by-side, Mohamad and Sahar brought a taste of the Middle East to South Visalia with the spices and staples essential to cooking Lebanese, Indian and Mediterranean dishes. With the assistance of their teenage sons, Chafic and Kareem, the market and bakery grew in popularity. Known for her exquisite Lebanese cooking, Sahar cooked traditional food at home to sell at the deli on Fridays. Customers couldn’t get enough. In 1998, the Dadas added a kitchen and a handful of tables to the storefront, providing a space for Sahar to work her magic and bring daily dishes to patrons. As the winds of change swept through the Dada family, the business shifted and created a new identity. In 2004, Pita Kabob, a Mediterranean restaurant, opened in the Kohl’s shopping center while their original grocery, deli and bakery closed its doors. Chafic had recently moved back home after attending college, and the family was ready for a new venture. Locals weren’t quite sure what to
1975
1996
Sahar and Mohamad Dada emigrated from Lebanon to the Central Valley.
The Dada family opened a Mediterranean grocery store and bakery.
make of the Mediterranean-style food at first, but it didn’t take long for Pita Kabob to become a local favorite. The staff quickly grew from five to 15. Four years later, a second location opened on Akers and Walnut, while a third location, serving craft beer, opened on Court 28
