Worth the Find

Popular dishes at De Babel include falafel vegan; chicken tawook, grilled chicken cubes, pickles, fries and garlic olio; falafel and fries. (Photos by Pablo Robles)

Worth

the Find Jordan native brings flavors of the Middle East to Scottsdale By Jordan Houston

With more than 25 years of experience in the food and beverage industry under his belt, including stints with some of the industry’s biggest names like Cinnabon and Five Guys, Marwan Kandeel wanted to test his expertise.

Recently, the Jordan native founded De Babel, an authentic Middle Eastern fast-casual restaurant located near the Scottsdale Airpark, and he hasn’t looked back since. But what makes the already wildly successful eatery unique is its discreet location, Kandeel explains.

The first-time restaurant owner says he chose the hidden spot, located at 14884 N. Pima Road, to test out a theory.

“Because I’m so passionate about food, I have a lot of recipes in my mind. I felt that I had a product to sell; I have a product to serve,” Kandeel says. “I wanted to know if people can put in an effort to find me.

“I chose a location that is some kind of hidden — not a bad location, but some people need to put effort in to find it. So, if people put the effort to find me, then I’m 100% certain that I have a product. This proves my point that I do have a product and the concept is complete.”

Kandeel’s theory appears to be paying off, as customers from around the Valley are visiting De Babel Monday to Sunday at all hours.

De Babel specializes in Middle Eastern fare with fan-favorite dishes such as crispy falafel, hand-carved shawarma, lamb kafta, appetizers and hummus. The kitchen is scratch

and headed by master chef Suliman Saleem, a 25-year veteran who specializes in Middle Eastern food.

“I always wanted to do something just the right way that I wanted,” Kandeel says. “We do everything from scratch; we don’t have a food or meat freezer.”

He notes that the restaurant does import pita from a 102-year-old bakery based in New York, though.

The space boasts black framed photos featuring imagery from all corners of the world, including street scenes, artisans, foods and places of worship across the Middle East. Kandeel says each photo has inspired him in some capacity.

“A lot of photos are from Middle Eastern cities where I’m bringing a dish, sauce or recipe from that city,” Kandeel explains. “It’s a message that this place is for everybody. I have all of the cultures and all of the religions all the way.”

The name De Babel also stems from a religious concept. The term is a Hebrew word for Babylon, which was the capital city of the ancient Babylonian empire founded over 4,000 years ago.

“Babel is my ode to the authenticity of the brand, because it is very authentic food and because I can’t find an older city,” Kandeel shares. “And it’s all modest cooking.”

In Jordan, Kandeel had a passion for cooking and quality cuisine. After spending several of his teen years helping at a local Italian restaurant, he moved to Dubai in 2001.

It was there his “real” professional career began, Kandeel says.

“The minute I landed in Dubai, I decided I wanted to be a professional in this industry,” he explains. “Because when I landed, it was super fast growing. It was like a train that is slowly moving, but every minute it is increasing in speed.

“You either decide to grow and be professional or be left behind,” he continues.

Kandeel worked on the operations side of major corporate entities throughout the Middle East, such as Cinnabon and Five Guys. The foodie was later recruited to work for Sheraton Hotels in Texas before settling down in Arizona.

“I needed a bigger place or bigger city for my growth,” he says. “I visited Arizona for the first time in January 2021, and I was so in love with the area from the minute I entered the airport.

“I always wanted to open up my own business. I struggled to find authentic cuisines.”

De Babel opened its doors on July 13, and Kandeel says he couldn’t be prouder.

The restaurant has amassed an impressive five-star rating on Yelp, with scores of customers leaving positive reviews. It’s also open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.

“To me, this is a dream. I’m so proud that, in my old life, everything I learned didn’t go to waste,” Kandeel says. “I’m so proud I used all my resources and all my skills, knowledge and experience I have

De Babel’s owner, Marwan Kandeel, checks fresh pita petals just out of the oven.

in this business. From day one, I did not struggle. I had a safety system.” A father of six, the restaurant owner adds that he hopes to use his resources to support organizations dedicated to raising awareness for attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). One of Kandeel’s son’s lives with the disorder, he explains. “I want everyone to know about ADHD,” Kandeel says. “At one point, I want to contribute to ADHD and contribute myself to the awareness of ADHD and how to manage those cases. It’s so important, even for Marwan Kandeel, shown here in his restau- families without ADHD kids. They need rant, De Babel, has been in the restaurant to learn about this.” industry for years. His resume includes stints Those living with ADHD may have at Five Guys and Cinnabon. trouble paying attention or controlling impulsive behaviors, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Although it can’t be cured, symptoms can be successfully managed through the right treatment methods, the organization says. As far as the restaurant’s future, Kandeel says he wants to expand when the time is right. “I want to grow when I’m ready, definitely,” he states. “I want to grow to be reasonable. I don’t want to open stores for the sake of just counting how many stores and showing off how many I have. I want every new store to be a duplicate of the success we have here.” 

De Babel

14884 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale 480-991-2002, de-babel.com

News

By Scottsdale Airpark News Staff

FOOD & WINE

Thirsty Lion, local schools partner for fundraiser

Thirsty Lion Gastropub is teaming with schools to help raise money for their Parent Teacher Associations in a Dine-to-Give fundraiser.

Schools registered to participate with Thirsty Lion will notify their server that they are participating in the fundraiser by showing the event flier with the name of a participating school they would like 15% of their check to be given to.

This event will be held Mondays to Thursdays throughout September at Thirsty Lion locations, including Desert Ridge Marketplace.

“We value our communities and are thrilled to have the opportunity to give back to local families with our Dine-toGive fundraising event,” says John Plew, president and chief executive officer of

Entrees and appetizers are aplenty at Thirsty Lion. (Photo courtesy of Thirsty Lion)

Thirsty Lion Gastropub. “These funds will be given directly to teams of dedicated parents who care about their children’s education. We are happy to lend a hand in their concerted efforts.”

Donation checks will be paid to the PTO/PTA for schools who have raised a minimum of $100 or more through guests’ contributions (dine-in only).

The 15% rebate is based on pretax prices, excluding gratuity, retail and gift cards. Tallies will be done Monday, October 4, and checks will be distributed the following week.

Info: thirstyliongastropub.com

Famous 48 unveils new fall menu

Famous 48, in the northeast corner of the Shops at Gainey Village, 8989 N. Scottsdale Road, has added Arizona pizza to its fall menu; it is a new dessert. Also included is a pizza and wings happy hour deal and a 10 a.m. start time Saturdays and Sundays to catch all the sports action starting Labor Day weekend.

Four varieties of pizza join perennial entrée favorites like Southern fried chicken and baby back ribs.

Famous 48 pizzas are 12 inches with a thin and crispy crust using fresh mozzarella and provolone, with an optional cauliflower crust. Featured varieties are margherita with grilled tomato, basil and extra virgin olive oil; Famous 48 with pepperoni, sausage and onion; the Nacho Mama with ground beef, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, taco sauce, a blend of cheddar jack cheese and crumbled nacho cheese Doritos; and barbecue chicken pizza with barbecue sauce, provolone, chicken, red onion and cilantro.

In addition, diners can indulge in a delicious pizza and house bottle of wine (white or red) for $25 during happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays to Fridays.

“We like to keep our menus fresh, and we’ll always offer Arizona favorites. That’s the inspiration for the four pizzas on this new menu at Famous 48,” says Robert Wagner, executive chef of Famous 48 and sister restaurant Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers. “We aim to please, and we’re happy the neighborhood enjoys our great food.”

Adding to the dining experience is live music Friday evenings at this 4,500-squarefoot neighborhood spot.

Info: famous48.com

Baby back ribs are perennial favorites

at Famous 48. (Photo courtesy of Famous 48)

Rubio’s Coastal Grill offering a lunch special

Rubio’s Coastal Grill locations across Arizona will offer $8 lunch specials from

September 6 to October 3.

Exclusively for Rubio’s Rewards members, the specials will vary by week: • $8 bowls and salads the week of September 6. • $8 burritos the week of September 13. • $8 two taco plates the week of September 20. • $8 coastal trio the week of September 27.

Visit rubios.com/rewards to sign up to take advantage of these lunch specials and to receive $5 off the first order.

Rubio’s locations are open for dining in, and guests may also order online or through the app for contact-free curbside or express pickup or delivery. Rubio’s x Blais Street taco plate, developed with celebrity chef Richard Blais, is on the menu through September,. Also on the menu: Hula Hula carnitas bowl, Po-Boy shrimp burrito and cauliflower rice.

For more information and to view the menu, visit Rubio’s, rubios.com, Facebook and Instagram. 

Restaurant celebration is not just for vegans

Phoenix Vegan Restaurant Week is hitting the Valley from Sunday, September 12, to Saturday, September 18, and Scottsdale restaurants are involved, including Dilla Libre, Positively Frosted and Simon’s Hot Dogs.

The event is the brainchild of chef Jason Wyrick of The Vegan Taste and Glendale’s Casa Tera, as well as Jozh Watson of Phoenix Vegan.

“For me, food is about community and bringing people together. Phoenix Vegan Restaurant Week makes us celebrate the opportunity to do that,” Wyrick says.

During Vegan Restaurant Week, baker-

The offerings at Earth in Phoenix include plantbased vegan "chikn n waffles." (Photo courtesy of Earth)

ies and food trucks are banding together to create pre-fixe plant-based menus.

Each dining institution will offer its own specialized three- or five-course meal that will continue throughout the week. Wyrick says this experience will allow customers to enjoy plant-based cooking at a fair price.

Info: phoenixvegan.com/phxvrw 

This 1996 view of lower Manhattan shows the 110-story twin World Trade Center towers, brought down by suicide hijackers on September 11, 2001.

(Photos by Joan Fudala)

By Joan C. Fudala

Everyone older than 25 surely remembers where they were on September 11, 2001 — the day America was attacked. Looking back at the day, weeks and months that followed, the changes in our lives have been both subtle and profound.

Let’s remember together — and never forget the sacrifi ces made:  As the year 2001 began, George W. Bush (the younger) was inaugurated January 20, Jane Dee Hull was governor of Arizona and Mary Manross was Scottsdale’s mayor. After closing in 1999, Los Arcos Mall on McDowell was razed for development for SkySong. In April, a home exploded in southern Scottsdale, killing a mother and two children inside; the suspected perpetrator is still at large. The city of Scottsdale celebrated its 50th anniversary of incorporation on June 25. The Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau (now Experience Scottsdale) separated from the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce to become a stand-alone organization; it moved into the Scottsdale Galleria (former shopping center repurposed as a corporate office center). A microburst on July 14 wreaked havoc on the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park area.  On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, suicide terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners, crashing two into the World Trade Center in New York City (and bringing the 110-story twin towers crashing down), one into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a fourth — believed to be

9/11 years ago ROCKED OUR WORLD 20 headed to the U.S. Capitol but diverted by its brave passengers — crashed in a fi eld in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. More than 5,000 people died because of the four attacks. First responders continue to suff er health crises from exposure to emanations from the World Trade Center rubble.  Within hours of the attacks, all air traffi c was grounded in the United States, stranding passengers and air freight for several days. In-bound passenger planes from Europe were diverted to Newfoundland, where residents mobilized to feed and house the stranded. Locally and nationally, even air ambulances and traffi c-reporting fl ights were grounded.  The city of Scottsdale and the Scottsdale

Headlines in local papers underscore the trauma of terrorism on September 11, 2001, and the days afterward.

Hundreds of Scottsdale residents attended a candlelight vigil on September 13, 2001, to honor lives lost in the terrorist attacks and to demonstrate community and national unity.

Jaycees hosted a candlelight vigil at Scottsdale Stadium on September13 to honor those killed and injured in the terrorist attacks and to demonstrate national unity. Hundreds of attendees signed huge “Our Hearts Are with You” condolence banners that were sent to New York’s mayor and that Mayor Manross delivered to the Pentagon. Vigil attendees donated nearly $1,500 for Red Cross disaster relief. Faith organizations also held prayer services throughout the week.  FBI investigations found that one of the hijackers, Hani Hanjour (who crashed a plane into the Pentagon), did some of his basic flight training at Scottsdale Airport in 1996 and 1997.  The terrorist attacks sent Scottsdale and the nation into an economic downturn. Operations at Scottsdale Airport were halted for several days. Tourism was significantly impacted for months, affecting not only the local hospitality industry but reducing the amount of bed and sales tax collected by Scottsdale. The New York-based stock market — headquartered in and near the World Trade Center — was closed for a few days following 9/11, and nervous investors caused a stock market plunge in the aftermath of the attacks. Many consumers put major purchases and relocations on hold.  Scottsdale and the nation demonstrated renewed patriotism. Immediately after the 9/11 news broke, U.S. flags began appearing everywhere — on homes, businesses, vehicles, as well as lapels and collars.  Many new security measures, especially at airports, were put into effect. Once flying resumed at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, cars entering the parking garages were stopped for inspections of interiors and trunks. Curbside checking was halted for an extended period. Passengers and their luggage were handscreened and IDs checked. Knives and other cutting tools were banned from carry-on luggage (hard to believe they were once allowed). Only ticketed passengers were allowed to proceed through security checkpoints to the gate area (and families were stopped from greeting/seeing off loved ones at airport gate areas). Elsewhere, barriers, mazes, cordons, magnetometers, wanding, bag/purse checks, security cameras and other security measures began at government buildings, office complexes and events.  The U.S. border was restricted, impacting travel and trade at Arizona-Mexico entry points. Strict vehicle and ID checks created long wait times to legally cross the border.  Regrettably, anti-Arab/Muslim sentiment arose, and several incidents targeted Valley-area residents of Arab heritage.  On Sunday, October 7 — less than a month after 9/11 — the United States sent troops to Afghanistan to root out al-Qaida. Led by Osama bin Laden, al-Qaida was behind the U.S. attacks. Men and women patriotically joined the U.S. military to help this effort. One of the most prominent of the enlistees was Arizona Cardinal and former ASU football star Pat Tillman, who joined the Army and was later killed in Afghanistan.  Scottsdale and the Valley had a unifying bright spot amid the tears and fears generated by 9/11. The Arizona Diamondbacks, in only their fourth season of play, made it to the World Series, playing the New York Yankees. In a poignant scene, the D-backs visited the World Trade Center Ground Zero site to pay tribute to the recovery teams and the lives lost in the attacks. When the Diamondbacks won the series

CrackerJax on Scottsdale Road in the Scottsdale Airpark area was one of many businesses immediately displaying the U.S. flag after September 11, 2001.

in the bottom of the ninth inning of the seventh game on November 4, all of Arizona celebrated a sweet victory.  Although eventually proven unrelated to the 9/11 attacks, several mailborne anthrax incidents in October 2001 impacted the Postal Service and further increased anxiety.  As families and friends gathered for Thanksgiving 2001 and entered the holiday season, a newfound sense of gratitude prevailed. A survey of Scottsdale-area caterers indicated that corporate and social holiday celebrations were scaled down and included more comfort foods.  New terms and phrases entered our post-9/11 vocabulary, including Ground Zero, The Pile, debris field, “Let’s Roll” (the last words heard from Flight 93 passenger Todd Beamer as he rallied passengers to overcome the hijackers), “See something/ say something,” safe rooms, disaster drills, jihad, threat level, war on terror, Patriot Act, TSA, Guantanamo/Gitmo and enhanced interrogation.  In the months and years following the 9/11 attacks we gained a new appreciation, even reverence, for first responders — firefighters, paramedics, police and others. We renewed respect for members of the military, too, rekindled from that generated after Desert Storm in 1991.  Eleven days after September 11, Tom

Dial Corp.’s headquarters in the Scottsdale Airpark displayed a patriotic United We Stand banner in the months after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

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Ridge was appointed the first director of the U.S. Office of Homeland Security. He and his staff coordinated and unified national homeland security efforts. In January 2009, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano became the third secretary of homeland security. By then it was a White House cabinet post.  President Bush signed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act in November 2001, creating the Transportation Security Agency. The act required federal officials to conduct baggage screening, expanded the federal air marshal service and required airlines to reinforce cockpit doors. After a December 2001 attempt to bring down an airliner with a bomb in a passenger’s shoe, the TSA required travelers remove their shoes before going through security checkpoints.  We’ve made so many changes to our pre-9/11 routines, especially to enhance security during travel and at large events. But we’ve also gained gadgets and infrastructure that continue to alter our world. Just think, at the time of September 11, 2001, we didn’t have iPhones, iPads/ tablets, Facebook or Twitter, Zoom, Kindle/ eBooks, the ability to stream movies and TV shows at home, proliferation of commercial and personal drones, Uber/Lyft and ride-share companies, fitness trackers, etc. We also didn’t have a completed Loop 101, SkySong, Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, Salt River Fields and the Talking Stick entertainment district, the Scottsdale Waterfront and Southbridge, HonorHealth Thompson Peak and the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, Mayo Medical School, nu-

To observe the one-year anniversary of lives lost in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, attendees at the Diamondbacks vs. Padres game at then-BankOne Ballpark donned commemorative white T-shirts.

merous trailheads in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and so much more. Life goes on. Despite 20 years, we remain a vigilant city and nation. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our routines even more than 9/11, the events of that momentous day two decades ago will reverberate in our hearts and minds for generations. 

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