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By:
Harrison Maina | |||||||||
| Posted:
Aug,19-2015 09:11:51
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DRACUT, Mass.__"SHAWARMA? What's that!!!" some people asked. "It's a wrap!" Mouna Albertorio, the owner of this new amazing restaurant always found herself explaining what the world's most popular Syrian/Lebanese sandwich is.
10 years after opening One Stop International Market, Lowell Halal Market and La Superette Inc., Mouna is back with this new jewel in nearby Dracut.It's a Wrap is the pride of many Dracut residents, some of whom Ajabu Africa News had the honor to meet during our many visits.
"This is unbelievable. I love it," said Erik Finn, a student from Umass Amherst who came to try out the restaurant in the company of two other Umass Amherst friends: Cameron Thistle, Lauren Thistle, and Sean Glasheen, who studies at a college in Vermont.
Ajabu watched them enjoy several shawarmas and falafel wraps then washing them down with a freshly made Moroccan tea. They also ordered and enjoyed some in house made baklava desert.The four students said they had been referred by Cameron Thistle's mother who has dined at the restaurant frequently since it opened. "My mom referred us here. She said the food was great. That's why we came here with my friends and we definitely like it," said Thistle while speaking to Ajabu Africa News. Jeneba Jabbie, originally from Sierra Leone, also came in to try her favorite West African food. She said that she was happy to support a fellow African who was making an amazing effort at serving the community with her culinary skills.
During an interview with Ajabu Africa News, Mouna, the highly enterprising owner said that she worked in the financial services for years before quitting and getting self-employed in the food industry. The highly energetic mother of three revealed that she loves cooking and draws experience and inspiration from her multi-ethnic family and friends' background. It's a Wrap is located on 22 Pleasant Street, in Dracut Ma 01826, about half a mile from the Umass Lowell north campus, on University Avenue/Pleasant St. According to Mouna, the popularity of the Shawarma wraps that she had been preparing at the former La Superette store in Lowell is what inspired her to give the new restaurant its current name: "It's a Wrap". Many people in the African and American community of Lowell and surrounding town had never heard of a Shawarma. They often looked puzzled when she told them about her shawarmas. "The wraps are amazing! We have beef, chicken, lamb or fish. We have added few twists to them but we have not compromised with their originality; we make authentic Lebanese shawarmas and falafels which have been approved by many of our Lebanese, Syrians and other Arabs connoisseurs. Our servers prepare them in 5 to 10 minutes." She added that Shawarma wraps and falafels are some of the healthiest, easy to prepare meals the restaurant offers. With a great and speedy staff, It's a Wrap promises a speedy and convenient service to all customers who visit any time from 9:30 to 9:30 Monday through Saturday. "Sundays are reserved for customers who are looking for in-house events like birthdays, group meetings or simply reserving the whole restaurant to appreciate your other half," added Mouna with a smile. Prices are also very affordable with most main dishes like whole roasted tilapia fish with rice salsa salad and plantains, Atieke, chicken or even Moroccan lamb Tagine going for anywhere from $12.99 to $14.99 a plate that feeds two.
However, for as low as $7.99, customers can pick from a wide assortment of flavors from the African, Caribbean, Indian, Middle Eastern, Latin and even Western world food delicacies. Doors opened eight weeks ago with many customers streaming in to try out freshly made multicultural and local American wraps and meals prepared right in front of their eyes in this open concept kitchen. A well lit, light green decorated dining area with soft music coming out of disguised loud speakers invites customers into a relaxed, carefree mood, perfect for individual or group dining experience. At It's a Wrap, clients can even customize their food choices to suit their favorite flavors of tasty, healthy and certified halal meats. Aside from the many choices of truly delicious Shawarma and falafel wraps, Latin wraps and western wraps, the menu include many all-time popular African dishes like: the whole roasted Tilapia fish and Attieke, Cassava leaves and rice, Curry chicken or goat, Moroccan chicken and veggie Couscous. Salads and burgers are also readily available for diners with local American taste buds, or those who are looking to switch from ethnic delicacies. We were also amazingly surprised to see customers repeatedly asking for Moun's Jerk Chicken! She called it the "the Jerk Chicken at its best". When Ajabu asked why she ventures into the Caribbean and Latin food, Mouna replied that it's in honor to her daughter's god mother who is Jamaican and she loves vacationing in Jamaica. Mouna added that she included food from around the world to draw people of different background to unit and discover each other's cultures while enjoying a great meal.Mouna comes from a multicultural background of Fulani and Arabic family. She is well travelled and has friends from all ethnic and religious background. Mouna added that a carefully selected menu of Latin foods offered provides customers with the best beef or chicken fire roasted Burritos in town--in addition to chicken Quesadillas, and veggie Fajitas low priced party flavors are also available from as low as $1.99 for pastelitos, empanadas, Samosas and more. Other services offered includes outside catering for offices, schools, weddings, and community associations or even house parties. With a Planet Fitness health club located right behind the new restaurant, "It's a wrap" offers a variety of fresh healthy juices prepared right in front of you. We enjoyed "the Grass Hopper" a blend of spinach, kale, cucumbers and other fruits. We also witnessed few customers ordering the "ginger root bear". "We want to play our part in enriching this community. We are very happy to be here and welcome you all to come in and try out our menu," she invited. Being a person of faith and with big dreams, Mouna added that she hopes It's a Wrap will eventually grow into a big chain of restaurants here in the US. For more information or to place an order with the new restaurant, call: 978-459-6199, or email: itsahalalwrap@gmail.com | |||||||||
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Source:
Ajabu Africa News
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