Fresh food, fresh space
O Zaki food truck owner takes over Oil & Thyme in Northwest Columbus
If there’s anything to be said about Ahmed Qaraja, he does not like to sit idle.
The chef and owner of two food trucks has picked up a new side hustle: He recently took over Oil & Thyme at 2910 Hayden Run Road in Northwest Columbus.
“I’m the kind of person who likes to risk it,” he said. “I’m not the person who stops moving.”
A veteran of Lavash Café and Mezze Mediterranean Cuisine, Qaraja put his restaurant days behind him three years ago when he purchased two Zaki Mediterranean Grill food trucks, now O Zaki Street Food because of a legal conflict over the name.
For now, the restaurant will continue to be known as Oil & Thyme, as it will take time to properly change the name.
One thing that is constant is his desire to cook Palestinian-influenced fare with other regional touches.
“Honestly, food passion is in my blood,” he said. “If I have an opportunity to jump on it, I’ll be there.”
The restaurant, set back a good distance from the road, is a casual, counter-order service operation that offers starters, wrap sandwiches, rice platters, a few sides and baklava.
“We make almost everything from scratch,” he said. “We import the spices. It’s definitely healthy, definitely fresh.”
Customer can see two cones of shawarma – one beef and lamb, the other chicken – twirling in the kitchen near the counter.
Those choosing a wrap can pick from either spit-roasted shawarma, gyro meat and falafel, plus a number of pickled and fresh vegetables and sauces.
Starters are hummus, babaganoush, falafel, vegetarian stuffed grape leaves, tabouleh and salad.
For those not familiar with the cuisine, much of it is friendly to vegetarians and vegans, Qaraja said.
Platters come with a choice of meat, rice, salad and a choice of sauce.
Starters are $6 to $8, wrap sandwiches are $10 and platters are $12 to $15.
As for his two food trucks, they’re still in operation through the winter season.
When they’re not on the road, they’re at the Economic and Community Development Institute, a nonprofit organization on the Far East Side that assists small businesses, many of them food trucks.
Qaraja said he’s working on a new truck, one that will sell lemonade or desserts – or both.
Oil & Thyme is a fairly large, open space, with a food-preparation space in the middle and seating on three sides.
There is a small kitchen in the back, where Qaraja wants to build another ventilation system so he can add kebabs and other grilled dishes to the menu.
“I know it’s going to take some time,” he said.
There are other food uses in Hayden Run Plaza, including Song Gong Dong Tofu & Korean BBQ and Tulip Café, a little Turkish spot that recently opened.
Qaraja said he isn’t worried about his storefront, even if it isn’t quite visible from the roadway.
“When you have good food, people will chase you,” he said.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.