Kebab lovers got a special treat on Valentine's Day.
The Kebab Shack, a new Mediterranean-inspired eatery, hosted a grand opening Feb. 14. The new store, by the owners of MacCheesy's, is located at 900 E. Battlefield Rd.
Sherif Magd and Sophia Hamid, husband-and-wife business partners, wanted to bring filling, healthy Mediterranean food to Springfield, Magd said.
A Mediterranean option “is what's missing in the market right now,” Magd said. “It's full of flavor” and very healthy.
The restaurant will, of course, serve kebabs, as well as Mediterranean classics like beef and chicken shawarma, which is thinly sliced, roasted meat. The Kebab Shack has gyros, falafels and lentil soup. The restaurant will also serve “Sloppy Moe's,” a Mediterranean-take on Sloppy Joe's served with fries, Magd said.
“I've always wanted to do this for years, I've just been waiting for the right time,” Magd said. “Seeing where Springfield is heading and how it's growing — I thought it was the perfect time to introduce this new restaurant.”
Don't forget about dessert
For dessert, The Kebab Shack features Krazy Crepes, a fresh-made crepe with whipped cream, Nutella and fresh fruit.
“It's fluffy, it's light, it's airy,” Magd said. “And you can add a scoop of ice cream if you want.”
Magd and Hamid also own MacCheesy's and its virtual kitchen, the Dirty Potato. MacCheesy's, with locations in Joplin and Springfield, is known for its decadent macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches. MacCheesy's opened in Joplin in 2017 and in Springfield in 2023.
Half-a-million TikTok followers
The Dirty Potato is known for its spin on a loaded baked potato and its dessert sweet potato, which includes ice cream. While the virtual kitchen is housed inside MacCheesy's, Magd said he plans to eventually move the Dirty Potato to a stand-alone kitchen. The Dirty Potato has nearly half a million followers on TikTok, Magd said.
While Magd declined to give a specific financial investment for the new business, he said a restaurant like the Kebab Shack typically costs $150,000 to $250,000 to open.
While Magd eventually wants to expand MacCheesy's outside of Springfield, he said the Kebab Shack presents the opportunity for more Springfield locations in the future.
