A recognizable downtown Toledo building - home to many former restaurants over the years - has a new owner offering a new type of food there.
Ameed Ridi is the owner of Sam’s Mediterranean Grill at 332 N. Erie St., which gives off a ’50s diner-style theme from its exterior. Mr. Ridi said he’s thrilled to finally be open downtown.
“I really like the downtown area,” he said. “It is loaded with friendly people, which is why I decided to come here. When I came in 2015, the downtown was not as busy as it is now. The city has put a lot of money into the area, and we should all be supporting this area.”
Mr. Ridi is originally from Palestine. He earned a degree in accounting at the University of Jordan, in Amaan, before coming to Toledo. Mr. Ridi worked with his brother for two years at his brother’s gas station. He then ran one of the convenience stores before having the money to open his location.
“I worked at a restaurant in Jordan and developed my own recipes for shawarma, hummus, kafta, and falafel,” Mr. Ridi said. “I have always wanted to have a restaurant so I decided on this location.”
The restaurant, which was the former home of Hotbox Bistro, has only been open since Tuesday. Mr. Ridi said he is seeing newly established customers come through the door.
David Kissinger has already visited the restaurant several times.
“On Wednesday I was here for lunch and dinner,” Mr. Kissinger said. “Today I came for breakfast and lunch and I will be here for dinner as well.”
Sam’s has breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings. The restaurant specializes in Mediterranean food but also has more American-based food like omelets, waffles, burgers, and chicken strips. Chicken sandwiches, wings, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, and seafood like crab cakes, shrimp, and catfish round out the menu.
Mediterranean specialty dishes include shawarma, shish tawook, kafta, veggie grape leaves, and hummus. They are so far the No. 1 request by new customers.
Mr. Ridi said his recipes are different from many establishments that offer the same type of food.
“You may have had shawarma at many restaurants, but they do not all taste the same,” he said. “Depending on where the owner and chef are from in the Middle East will depend on how the dish will taste. Everyone has their own spices and recipes.”
Sam’s also offers cheesecake, dessert waffles with chocolate and nutella, fried pies, and baklava for a sweet ending.
“I have tried to offer something for everyone to enjoy,” Mr. Ridi said. “I want people to come here, enjoy their food and come back again.”
Mr. Ridi said he is very proud of the fact that customers can come into the restaurant at any time of the day and the food will taste the same.
“I am working very hard to keep the same recipe and flavors from morning to night,” he said. “I want people to be able to come in, order falafel at any time on any day and experience the same great taste. Each time.”
Mr. Kissinger said the food is what has been drawing him back.
“I have had breakfast and the shawarma and falafel,” he said. “I can say it is the best shawarma and falafel I have had since serving in the U.S. Navy in Haifa. That is where I fell in love with Mediterranean food, and the food here at Sam’s is every bit as good as what I loved in the Middle East.”
Sam’s is currently open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday, the restaurant will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mr. Ridi said the hours could change in the evening or weekend if there is an event going on downtown. To check the current hours or for more information, look up Sam’s Mediterranean Grill on Facebook .
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