KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Last week, Beirut Taco opened its doors in the West 39th Street District. Chef and restaurateur Maher Chebaro wanted to showcase Lebanese and Mexican cuisine, as well as highlight how much history they have together.
“I wanted to bring them together in a fun way to eat,” said Chebaro. “In the early 1900s, during the war a lot of Lebanese, Iraqis moved to Mexico. That’s how al pastor came to be. It was shawarma in Puebla.”
Chebaro says the more he’s traveled, the more similarities he’s seen, like with breadmaking. He was also inspired by his childhood in Beirut when Lucha Libre professional wrestlers would come to town. He has a similar restaurant in Brooklyn called El Cedro that’s gained popularity since it opened in 2024.
“I combine techniques, flavor, and most of all, respect to both cuisines,” said Chebaro. “We use a molcajete, we grind our own spices. We now buy our tortas from Yoli Tortilleria and our flour from CARAMELO in Lawrence. We try to keep it as local as possible.”…