Des Moines has a new late-night food spot.
Why it matters: Des Moines lacks diverse food options after 9pm other than bar fare, but Tarboosh Lebanese Kitchen is changing that with shawarma, falafel and baklava — served until 3am on weekends.
How it started: In 2020, while homesick for Lebanese food, owner Mohamad Baydoun began cooking his favorite dishes at home for his wife, Rachel, and their family, since dining out wasn’t an option.
- A couple years later, after family and friends encouraged him to start his own business, he went to the farmers market and noticed a lack of Mediterranean places.
- So he signed up for the Valley Junction and downtown farmers markets and found success with just a small grill, fryer and tent.
State of play: Mohamad and Rachel expanded Tarboosh outside of the markets and launched a food trailer this year.
- He quit his day job and focuses on Tarboosh full time now.
Between the lines: Growing up in Beirut inspired his love for late-night culture, where people are eating, talking and walking at all hours.
- He wants to bring that energy to Des Moines.
What they’re saying: “All we wanted was just to make some connections in the community and a side weekend activity — and it transformed from that into this,” Baydoun says…