This fall, the Middle East is coming to Walnut Street - or at least its cuisine is.
The locally-owned restaurant Hummus - which will serve a variety of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine - will open within 10 days, said owner Fabrice Saadoun.
The restaurant building is located at 40th and Walnut, situated between the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs and the yet-to-be-completed Radian.
Saadoun was in the cell phone business until about a year and a half ago, he explained. He started looking for a space to open a restaurant in May 2007 because he wanted a "complete change."
Together with his business partner Yaron Netz, Saadoun created a self-serve restaurant that features falafel and a variety of sandwiches all served with pita. The food generally ranges from $6 to $15.
Saadoun described the restaurant as "very laid back, [with] modern designs, comfortable colors [and] comfortable lights."
Given its "perfect location," Saadoun said he hopes to attract everyone in the area, from locals to students to movie-goers.
Wharton sophomore and future Radian resident Sam Haber said that although he had not heard of the restaurant, he is "interested and would be willing to give it a shot when it opens."
For now, Saadoun is optimistic.
"Once they try the food there, they will want to come back," he said.
