Middle Eastern restaurant chain expanding to NC with a south Charlotte debut

A Middle Eastern restaurant chain is expanding to North Carolina, and making its debut in Charlotte.

Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill, a fast-casual restaurant based in Chicago, expects to open in late spring at 10706 Providence Road in south Charlotte.

Franchise owner Neel Patel said he will hire about 20 full- and part-time employees.

This will be Patel’s second store in the Charlotte region, having opened the first one in South Carolina two years ago in Fort Mill. He expects to open up to four stores in four years, he told The Charlotte Observer on Tuesday.

Here’s what to expect at Naf Naf:

The Space

Naf Naf will open in a 2,400-square-foot space, between Buffalo Wild Wings and Condado Tacos. Patio seating will be available.

Food menu

Naf Naf Grill’s menu options include “build your own” stuffed pita, bowl, salad or plate.

Additions include chicken shawarma, grilled steak, falafel and chicken, plus toppings and six sauces including tahini, nafziki and harissa.

Sides includes hummus, baba ghanoush, fries and falafel. A staple of the Mid-East, the crispy falafel ball is made of ground chickpea, jalapeno and lightly fried onion. Baklava is also on the menu.

The backstory

Naf Naf was founded in 2009 by Sahar Sander in Naperville, Illinois.

Naf Naf means to “fan the flame,” an expression used as an invitation for friends and family to gather and share a meal together, according to the company’s website.

The Charlotte restaurant will be the Midwest chain’s 40th store in the country. Naf Naf has stores in 12 states in the Midwest, Southeast and Texas.

More stores at Promenade on Providence

Last week, IKEA announced it will open a smaller-format store this summer at the Promenade on Providence shopping center.

And another chain, The Crust Pizza, is opening its second Charlotte location at the center. The 10-year-old Florida-based restaurant specializes in thin-crust pies.

Starbucks is temporarily closed for renovations and expects to reopen in the summer, according to the center’s website. Other recent openings at Promenade on Providence are J. Crew, which opened in November, and locally-owned Bonnie & Clyde’s Lounge with rooftop views opened in October.

Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill

Location: 10706 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28277

Instagram: @nafnafgrill

Facebook: facebook.com/nafnafgrill