A new Mediterranean sandwich shop will be opening soon on the west side of Sterling Heights.
Iraqi native Steven Arbo is putting the finishing touches on Saj Alreef, a take-out shawarma deli poised to open this summer at 4100 Metro Parkway.
The 2,600 square-foot fast-casual will replace the old KFC in the Metro Square shopping plaza at the southeast corner of Ryan and 16 Mile roads.
“We know that we’re opening up in a very competitive area, lots of businesses and a lot of traffic. But we do believe that we can make a difference,” Arbo told planning commissioners earlier this year when they approved his request for a zoning variance. “We have talked to some of the best chefs who have years of experience that will be on our team.”
Planning board members revisited the matter June 14, when they unanimously approved a reconfigured floor plan that will increase Saj Alreef’s seating capacity from 25 to 45. Arbo planned to install new walls and flooring and paint the dining room as part of a full interior remodeling.
During the June meeting, his design architect told commissioners Arbo’s already received building permits and is ready to open soon. The restaurant has teased its arrival on social media and told eager followers on Facebook that the doors will open by the end of July.
Arbo has owned several cell phone stores in the metro area and said his business partner spent about 10 years owning and operating restaurants in Iraq.
Saj Alreef shares the same name as a popular Iraqi restaurant, which pays tribute to a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine. Saj is an unleavened flatbread popular in Iraq, Lebanon and other Arab nations and reef is the Arabic translation for countryside.
The proposed menu at Saj Alreef gives top billing to its “diamond bread sandwiches,” an apparent nod to a traditional Iraqi yeast bread called samoon, famous for its unusual shape.
The menu also features shawarmas, kobabs and tikkas along with combo tray offerings of lamb, chicken and fish.
