A Palestinian culinary establishment resumes operations in Watts, featuring Middle Eastern specialties like falafel, and organizes charity events to support Gaza.
In the heart of Watts, Mid East Eats has reopened its doors to the public, serving up a unique blend of Palestinian cuisine. The restaurant, which initially began as a private dinner service in February, is now open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.
The brainchild of Sumer and Andrew Durkee, Mid East Eats offers a largely vegan menu with dishes like falafel tacos and a "West Bank burrito." For those seeking a more traditional dining experience, private dinners are available for $195 per person, featuring a selection of mezze, maqlubeh, and other traditional Palestinian dishes.
Sumer Durkee, one of the owners, takes pride in cooking with olive oil made by a Palestinian family in Garden Grove. She also announced that she would stop posting pictures of her restaurant's food on Instagram until Israel ended its blockade of food aid into Gaza.
In a show of solidarity, Mid East Eats raised funds with sales of its West Bank burrito during the last weekend of July, donating $400 to two other families in Gaza. The restaurant continues to support families in Gaza and their Watts neighbors with falafel wraps and shawarma burritos.
Sumer and Andrew Durkee also donate some of their sales directly to families in Gaza, reflecting their commitment to their cultural heritage and the ongoing humanitarian crisis there.
Mid East Eats is one of roughly 150 MEHKOs (microenterpise home kitchen operations) in the greater L.A. area, thanks to a state program implemented in L.A. County last November. The restaurant is the first legally permitted home kitchen in Watts.
The Durkees' front yard features tomato plants, fig and lime trees, and a young watermelon plant. A loyal customer, Vanessa Guerra, drives from Northridge to Watts for Mid East Eats' falafel.
As Gaza faces a severe humanitarian crisis characterized by acute food shortages and widespread malnutrition, approaching famine conditions, Mid East Eats' commitment to supporting Gaza stands out. The ongoing crisis may indirectly affect local Palestinian restaurants in Los Angeles through disruptions in the supply chain of authentic Palestinian food ingredients, reduced community engagement, and emotional and social impacts on local Palestinian communities.
To learn more about Mid East Eats and their ongoing efforts, visit their website at mideasteats.com.
- Mid East Eats, a restaurant in the heart of Watts, California, serves up a unique blend of Palestinian cuisine, featuring a largely vegan menu and dishes like falafel tacos and the "West Bank burrito."
- The restaurant's owners, Sumer and Andrew Durkee, take pride in cooking with olive oil made by a Palestinian family in Garden Grove, and they have made a commitment to supporting families in Gaza, donating some of their sales directly.
- In a show of solidarity, Mid East Eats raised funds with sales of its West Bank burrito during the last weekend of July, donating $400 to two other families in Gaza.
- Mid East Eats is one of roughly 150 MEHKOs (microenterpise home kitchen operations) in the greater Los Angeles area, thanks to a state program implemented in L.A. County last November. The restaurant is the first legally permitted home kitchen in Watts.
- The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, marked by acute food shortages, widespread malnutrition, and approaching famine conditions, may indirectly affect local Palestinian restaurants in Los Angeles through disruptions in the supply chain of authentic Palestinian food ingredients, reduced community engagement, and emotional and social impacts on local Palestinian communities.
- To learn more about Mid East Eats' efforts and to support their work, visit their website at mideasteats.com.
