Mediterranean grill to replace lobster restaurant at Budd Dairy Food Hall

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Budd Dairy Food Hall has announced what will be replacing the lobster roll spot among the options at its Italian Village home.

Zaki Mediterranean Grill, previously part of the rotation at its Hatch location for incubating new restaurant concepts, will move into a standalone spot and replace Cousin Maine Lobster, which will be leaving Budd Dairy Food Hall but still available at its standalone food trucks.

Ahmed Garaja moved to the U.S. from Palestine in 2006. He established Zaki Mediterranean Grill, which operates three food trucks as well as the Budd Dairy location, which opened in February.

"Our team has appreciated the opportunity to grow our restaurant business in Hatch and
establish a loyal following of guests,” Qaraja said. “We look forward to … further developing our relationship with the Columbus community.”

The menu features chicken kebabs, gyros, bowls, shawarma, and an array of appetizers. "Zaki" translates to "delicious" in Arabic.

Cousins Maine Lobster will close its Budd Dairy location Monday. Franchise owner Kathryn Nuss said food trucks will continue in the Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati areas.

"Cousins Maine Lobster has proudly served the Budd Dairy Food Hall Community for the past three years," Nuss said. "From the moment we opened, we were met with warm smiles, hungry bellies, and members of the community who wanted to get in on what we were doing -- people we proudly call our family."

Budd Dairy Food Hall, which opened in 2021 and is part of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, is located on North Fourth Street between East Third and East Fifth avenues. It has 10 restaurant locations and indoor and outdoor seating. It's named after the milk processing facility that used to be located there.