Yafo Kitchen could open location No. 2 later this year
Charlotte restaurateur Frank Scibelli is getting closer to opening his second Yafo Kitchen, the popular Middle Eastern street food concept that first opened in SouthPark in 2016.
Scibelli and his team are in the midst of lease negotiations for a spot on Central Avenue in Plaza Midwood, the serial restaurateur told the Observer, though he declined to say where exactly the new restaurant would be. If all goes well, he added, the second Yafo would open later this year.
Scibelli is also hiring another chef from Washington, D.C. – who has experience in Egyptian, Lebanese and Greek cuisine – to run the SouthPark Yafo. Shai Fargian, executive chef of the SouthPark location, will oversee both restaurants, but will spend most of his time in the new Yafo. Scibelli did not say who the new chef is – only that he is starting in May.
The SouthPark Yafo has been “an absolute home run” that fills a niche, Scibelli said. He emphasized that nothing is set in stone yet with the new location, and that if the current negotiations fall through, he will seek out another spot on Central Avenue or in South End.
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Scibelli’s other ventures in Charlotte include Mama Ricotta’s, Midwood Smokehouse and Paco’s Tacos & Tequila.
“I have Midwood (Smokehouse) and I love that area. I think it’s a great area. Midwood does well. I think Yafo could do as well or better than Midwood,” Scibelli said.
Yafo’s menu includes Middle Eastern street food cuisine like spiced rotisserie chicken, hummus and baba ganoush. Items are priced between around $8-$13.
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C5 Pro Tip:
When looking to grab lunch, get to Yafo before noon. The line gets nuts after that. And go for the build-your-own salad or grain bowl, two spreads (like hummus or Baba ghanoush ) with a side of Brussels sprouts. You won’t regret it.
This story originally appeared at CharlotteObserver.com.
Photos: Katie Peralta, C5
This story was originally published March 14, 2017 at 10:09 PM with the headline "Yafo Kitchen could open location No. 2 later this year."