Mediterranean Restaurants Sustain Community, Culture Across U.S. Cities

Haji Baba, a Mediterranean restaurant and grocery in Tempe, Arizona, has been serving the community for 40 years by offering a diverse menu and hundreds of imported cultural goods from regions spanning Eastern Europe to Asia. Co-owner Zaid Torfa highlights their core Mediterranean dishes, such as chicken shawarma and kabab koobideh, which cater to a wide range of cultural backgrounds and evoke a sense of home for many customers. Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, the first professional all-female mariachi band in the U.S., is celebrating its 30th anniversary and continues to promote Mexican culture through music, emphasizing the unique emotional expression women bring to the genre. The group aims to preserve mariachi traditions while sharing their culture widely, having performed for prominent figures and events. Other dining experiences around the country, including waterfront dining with Mediterranean-inspired dishes and various ethnic eateries in San Antonio, continue to showcase the diversity and cultural richness of American culinary landscapes. These establishments not only provide food but also foster community and cultural connection across diverse populations.