Our story begins in the 1980s; when our father and grandfather first immigrated to America and began opening up sub and fried chicken joints in Maryland. We grew up in these shops, watching our parents and grandparents work hard to make ends meet for their growing family. Food was central to our Palestinian and Jordanian family; both at work and at home. We were raised on steak and cheese subs as much as Zayt (Olive Oil) and Zaโatar.
Growing up in our family restaurants, our parents would always stress the importance of education so that we could get good jobs, they wanted a different life for us. For a while, thatโs exactly what we did, but something was missing. As we grew older, we began to appreciate our Arab-American heritage and culture. We wanted to find a way to share the flavors, generosity, and hospitality of the Middle East with our community. So in 2016, we left our corporate jobs and Z&Z was born. A classic Middle Eastern street food starring Zayt and Zaโatar.
Dennis Huang
in the last weekRead about this place on NY Times top 25 in the DMV and was super intrigued. Ordered the cocktail manoushe and was not disappointed at all. The crust was perfectly crisp on the outside with the right amount of chew on the inside. I personally preferred the cheese more than the zaโatar but I ate the two together as recommended and the flavor was a delight. Right amount of smoky and herby with the cheese. Highly recommended. Came back for the ground meat pie. Oh my god. So delicious.
Vanessa Duke
2 months agoNo doubt about it, Z&Z is the ultimate destination for manoushe lovers! Their extensive menu makes it tough to settle for just one or two options. Every bite of their freshly baked manoushe is a delight straight out of the oven. The staff's warm hospitality adds to the cozy ambiance, and if the father is there, he is sure to put a smile on your face when he checks in on you! Don't miss out on their mini market offering a variety of dips, za'atar, and other locally sourced goodies to take home. Supporting this local gem is a guaranteed satisfaction!
Fady Adel Tawadrous
2 months agoIncredible Palestinian manoush. The food is so fresh and try the staff is so warm and welcoming. The small space is an absolute vibe, and on a nice day the patio seating is lovely. Their food is fresh and the coffee is to die for. It's a must try.
Yousef Shadid
4 months agoBeen meaning to stop at z&z for a very long time. Luckily I had a tennis match scheduled across the street at woodley park, and the all too familiar smell of za3tar hovered over the courts and drew me in immediately afterwards. Although i wanted to try everything , For my first time, I had to go with the traditional manoushe and jibne. As a pizza snob, I always judge pizza and flatbreads foremost by the crust. Wow wow. Itโs so hard to get a thin crust to remain crispy, flaky yet have that soft doughy center. Well they did it. Absolutely perfect. 1) manoushe was solid! Great, fresh and earthy taste. Awesome crunch. 2) jibne- not super heavy, but very flavorful and traditional middle eastern cheese, with a perfect dusting of zaโatar. Hope to be back soon to try their other creations. Know and Love this family. You can tell from the ambience and their offerings how much they treasure their family and culture- humble beginnings. Bonus review: My dad brought me here in 1987 when their grandfather owned it, and I had my very first gyro! Still remains best one i have ever had.
Khurram Janjua, MD
4 months agoMy wife and I recently visited the pop-up event hosted by La Tejana and Z&Z to sample their chicken shawarma tacos. The tacos were delicious, and today, we had the pleasure of trying their Man'oushe. I had the Hot Halaby Honey Manoushe, while my wife got the Chicken Shawarma Manoushe. Both dishes were amazing, and I wholeheartedly recommend both of them. As a local small business owner in Rockville, I am delighted to extend my support to another small business in the area, especially this hidden gem operated by our Palestinian brothers and sisters. Shukran!