How a Yosemite trip turned into a new Mediterranean restaurant in Fresno

On his visit from Chicago to Yosemite National Park a few years back, David Sayyad made a stop in Fresno to get food.

But because of religion, Sayyad said he couldn’t find many places that accommodated his strict diet that requires halal foods.

Sayyad was surprised.

Sayyad knew Fresno wasn’t as big of a city as Chicago, but its population was bigger than other California cities like Sacramento, Oakland and Anaheim.

Plus, Sayyad said relatives that lived in Fresno told him the central San Joaquin Valley was known for its diversity.

Shouldn’t there be some diversity in the Valley’s foods?

Rather than further question and complain, Sayyad decided around that time that he should try to capitalize.

“I’m looking around and seeing a lot of people here in Central California,” David said. “And I just thought that this was a great opportunity.”

Three years since his Yosemite trip, David now has opened his own halal foods restaurant in northeast Fresno.

Salam Roast Broast, located at 7184 N. Abby St. in what was previously a Robertito’s restaurant near the Costco shopping center, is in the midst of a soft opening since Sept. 10. A grand opening is expected some time in October.

The restaurant, which operates in a fast casual setting, serves Mediterranean food derived from longtime family recipes rooted from the Middle Eastern country of Jordan.

“We’re trying to bring that authentic, delicious taste to Fresno,” Sayyad said. “About 90% of our spices and our machines used to prepare the foods come from overseas, from Jordan.

“Everything is fresh.”

On its current soft opening menu, Salam Broast Roast customers can order beef or chicken shawarmas, falafel and hummus combos.

Chicken rotisserie is also on the menu.

Perhaps the most requested entree is the chicken broast — unique and flavorful pieces of chicken with an extra crispy exterior.

The restaurant’s french fries, seasoned a special way and with a crisp texture, also could rival some of the best in town.

Sayyad said the foods offered are similar to what was served at his family’s restaurants in Jordan since the early 2000s. He said he opened a similar Mediterranean restaurant in Chicago before selling it a couple of years later.

“We got a good offer on that restaurant,” Sayyad said. “But this restaurant, we are not planning to sell. There’s a lot of potential here.”

His restaurant also helps those who eat only halal food, which he said, based on his Fresno relatives’ experiences, can be challenging to find.

What’s halal food?

Halal means “lawful” or “permitted” under Islamic law, thus prohibiting certain foods like pork and shell fish.

Meats considered halal also take into account the animal’s health at the time of its killing and strict details of how it’s slaughtered.

The process is intended to ensure the meat is pure and safe for consumption, according to the American Halal Foundation.

The Central Valley is home to more than 30,000 Muslim Americans, according to Community Alliance, a monthly newspaper that has been published in Fresno since 1996.

But you don’t have to be Muslim to eat halal foods.

It’s eaten and enjoyed by people of many different religious beliefs, and sometimes a preference among those looking to eat clean and healthy.

Sayyad is so optimistic about Salam Roast & Broast, he’s already examining where to open a second and perhaps a third location in town.

“Give it a try,” Sayyad said. “You will like it.”

Salam Roast & Broast is open every day 10 a.m. until midnight.