FENTON, MI – His name often catches people’s attention.
But for those who drive by 3409 Owen Road, Suite 500 in Fenton, some people don’t understand the meaning.
2941 Mediterranean Street Food is a restaurant that opened in July 2022 and has already become a popular choice in town.
The “2941” is derived from the longitude and latitude of the Mediterranean and Middle East, 29 degrees North and 41 degrees East.
“When people think of Mediterranean restaurants, it’s usually a specific country and our food comes from several different countries,” said Fenton restaurant owner John Kuza.
These countries include Lebanon, Greece, Turkey, Tunisia and Iraq.
The head chef and creator is Jacques Van Staden, a Michelin star chef from Pretoria, South Africa.
Van Staden visited most of the Middle East region and made it his mission to get all the flavors from different countries, Kuza said.
The Joe Vicari Restaurant Group owns the restaurant, which has six locations and includes several Andiamo restaurants. Other locations are in Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak and Washington Township.
Everything Middle Eastern is on the menu, including tandoori chicken, Za’atar steak, Moroccan lamb and falafel.
Store manager AJ Masters, 21, initially became involved with the restaurant when he was looking to do the carpentry for the building.
He helped build the store and then became its manager. Masters said the most popular item is the Tandoori Chicken Bowl featuring basmati rice, garlic and tandoori sauce, Persian cucumber, beets, turnips, modern peasant, hummus and chana chickpeas .
“I set out on this journey and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” Masters said.
Customers can choose their own bowls from the options of a Mini Bowl, Honest Bowl, Stuffed Sandwich or Bazaar Meal.
Kuza, originally from Iraq, moved to metro Detroit in 1977 with his family. 2941 Mediterranean is the first restaurant he has owned and he feels it stands out from the competition.
“The oils we use,” he said. “Everything is made with olive oil and our two vegetarian options are fried in sunflower oil. It is 100% GMO-free sunflower. I think oils make a difference to people’s health.
2941 Méditerranée is equipped for catering, ranging from receptions of 150 to 200 people. Guests can also receive several fountain drinks from Northwoods Soda & Syrup Co., including orange cream soda, oak barrel ginger ale, black cherry cream soda, lemonade, Wild Bill’s root beer, diet cola and natural cola.
And 2941 Mediterranean isn’t your typical fast-casual restaurant.
On the ceilings are large glass hanging lamps, the walls feature whimsical artistic designs, behind the register are mosaic tiles, and the wall on the kitchen side features a map showing several Middle Eastern countries.
“We want a welcoming environment,” Kuza said.
The business is open seven days a week, from 11 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Follow 2941 Mediterranean Street Food on Facebook.
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