A fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant is preparing to expand with a new location set to open this spring.
Garlic Crush, owned by Matt Jabbour, is set to open at 17500 133rd Ave. NE in Woodinville. The new restaurant marks the brand’s fifth location, joining its existing outposts in Seattle, Bellevue, Issaquah and Redmond.
“The thing about Garlic Crush and Matt, the owner, is that he wants to bring Lebanese-style street food to everyone. We’ve always wanted to be in the Woodinville area,” Operations Manager Iman Habib told What Now Seattle.
Originally from Lebanon, Jabbour moved to Bellevue in 1998 to work for Microsoft. During that time, he and his family purchased and operated a small Mediterranean grocery store, where they served homemade dishes. The shop quickly gained a loyal following, prompting Jabbour to leave Microsoft and launch Garlic Crush in 2008.
“A very common thing that is in Lebanese cooking is a mortar and pestle, and obviously garlic is used a lot in the cuisine, too. One day, Matt was using it and goes, ‘Garlic Crush, this is a very clever and fun name,’” Habib said.
The new Woodinville location will feature the same menu as the other outposts, while introducing its own unique style.
“It will have a little bit more flair on the inside, as far as design goes–definitely a little bit more modern, more warm, fun, and inviting,” Habib said.
She continued, “We’ve got some really fun art that we’re going to put on the walls that just talk about the history, paying homage. We’ve been on the east side since 2008, and we’ve got a really fun map design that’s on the wall, too, celebrating the other locations.”
Garlic Crush’s menu features fresh, authentic Mediterranean cuisine, including sharable plates, sandwiches and salads, along with main dishes. Highlights include gyro, beef or chicken kebab, grilled lamb, kefta and shawarma, all served with rice, pita bread and a cup of lentil soup.
“I love our chicken kebab so much. I haven’t found one that’s better, and I’ve been with the company for 13 years, and I also have a Mediterranean background,” Habib said. “I know a lot of people in Woodinville, based on our customers that already go to our locations, they’re very excited about our shawarma.”
Habib is excited to enter a new community and continue growing the Lebanese footprint.
“I grew up in Woodinville, so I’m just really excited to tap into that community and bring our flavors there. I’m also super excited to see all the familiar faces I know,” she said.
She is also looking forward to expanding Garlic Crush’s catering services.
Garlic Crush is set to debut on March 16. Visit the website and follow along on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates.
