A demand for Mediterranean food is what Moe Mroueh said inspired his latest endeavor in Michigan City.
He is the consultant for Chickpea Fresh Mediterranean, which is owned by Raj Makwana of Michigan City.
“Raj approached me. We felt that there was a need for the cuisine to come back so we got together and he asked me to be the consultant because I had the experience,” said Mroueh, of Michigan City. “There was a demand for it and the concept. The approach and the concept was needed.”
Here is the dish on this local eatery, which opened in May:
On the menu: Diners can build their own menu starting with a white or wheat pita or opting for basmati rice, hummus or romaine lettuce as the base for a bowl or salad. Next chicken shawarma, Greek gyro or falafel can be added. Possible garnishes include cucumber, tomato, purple cabbage, radish, sumac onion, pickles, Kalamata olives or feta. The dish is finished with a sauce that can be tahini, tzatziki, toum or harissa. Other dishes include salads such as fattouch or tabouli, sides and more such as baba ghanouj or grape leaves, desserts such as baklava or kanafa (cheese dome), and drinks such as orange blossom lemonade.
About the consultant: “I was born in West Africa, came to the United States in 1992 and opened my first restaurant in Michigan City in 2004. I wanted to pick something I was familiar with,” said Mroueh about Eat at Moe’s, which he launched after working in restaurants where he moved up from dishwasher to server to manager.
“I was born to Lebanese parents. My mom helped throughout the culinary experience. She was part of it and helped us get the recipes down. She was a good teacher,” he said about his late mother, Hala Mroueh. His other Michigan City restaurants have included Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine and the Pickle & Turnip, which served Middle Eastern cuisine.
A mission statement: “People watch you. It’s an open-kitchen concept,” Mroueh said. “It’s made right in front of you. People see the fresh ingredients. It’s pretty fast and quick but still healthy.”
Decor: “It’s very bright and fresh just like the food that we serve. There’s colorful walls. We use lots of color,” said Mroueh. The restaurant can seat approximately 22 diners. “Even though it’s a fast-based concept, we plan on adding a three-season room, which is going to be outside, eventually for dinner. We will have table service offering more options than what we have now, but we’re working toward that.”
Specialties: “Falafel, chicken shawarma and our hummus, which is probably soon to be in local supermarkets here,” Mroueh said. The deep-fried falafel features spiced mashed chickpeas, onion and parsley and can be added to a pita, bowl or salad or ordered as one piece or six pieces. The chicken shawarma features rotisserie-cooked chicken marinated in a Mediterranean spice blend. The hummus serves as both a base for the bowl or salad or can be ordered with one or two pitas.
We’re different because: “People walk in through that door not knowing what to expect. First-timers might have different ideas of what the food will taste like,” said Mroueh, noting that people often mistakenly assume that Mediterranean food is spicy. “It’s flavorful. That’s a big part.”
More Top Picks Best Golf Bags For Walking
Prices: Start at 99 cents for sides and more, $6.99 for pitas or salads, and $8.99 for bowls.
Logistics: Chickpea Fresh Mediterranean is at 225 W. 5th St., Michigan City. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays. Call 219-879-8888 or go to www.facebook.com/chickpeafresh.