Social Media Star Anwar Jibawi Opens YouTube-Inspired Eatery
By Gary Trock on March 15, 2021 at 3:06 PM EDT
Anwar's Kitchen / Instagram
YouTube star Anwar Jibawi is turning his digital dreams into brick-and-mortar reality as he has recently opened the doors at a downtown Los Angeles restaurant inspired by the food he and his mother cook online. Anwar's Kitchen is the brainchild of the YouTube star and his mother, Amal Jibawi, who created a "mouth-watering" Mediterranean menu that pays tribute to the family's rich heritage and culture while also enticing newbies with their succulent beef shawarma and fluffy homemade pita bread that cannot be resisted.
Anwar Jibawi / Instagram
Anwar, who boasts 28 million combined followers across all social platforms, including 7.8 million on Instagram, first started "Anwar's Kitchen" on Instagram before also launching a YouTube channel.
According to a release for his restaurant, the social media star was, "Motivated by the positive response to the series -- especially the special relationship Anwar shares with his mother," to open doors in Los Angeles.
The restaurant is an extremely special project for Anwar, as he wants to share not just food but memories of how he grew up.
"There aren’t a lot of things that mean more for the bond my family has than food. We’d share stories over pitas and celebrate Lakers wins with baklava," Anwar said.
He added, "I want to bring my home to other homes and share the love my mom poured into each dish and the tastes of our family and culture with them."
