São Paulo – The hamburger, made from kofta, estepe cheese, crispy onions, lettuce, tomato and zaatar mayonnaise, was created to honor Egyptian soccer player Salah in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Arab hamburger place Souk Burger, in São Paulo, has added new items to its menu to welcome fans during the championship’s games, including the burger named after Egypt’s star player: Cheese-Salah (pictured above).
Souk Burger was established last year by young Lebanese descendant business administrator Tarik Bechara Leal. It is the first Arab hamburger restaurant in Brazil (find out more on ANBA). It combines hamburgers and Arab cuisine, with options including kibbeh sandwich, kofta, lamb and baba ghanoush.
Tarik explains that he decided to pay tribute to Salah because it’s not often that an Arab player rises to such prominence in global soccer. Mohamed Salah Ghaly is a right forward with Liverpool. On signing his deal with the team last year, he became the most expensive African player ever. It was he who scored the penalty goal that put Egypt in the 2018 FIFA World Cup – in a match against Congo for the African championship.
The restaurant’s owner claims he will root for the team he was born in, Brazil, but that he likes all of the Arab national teams. He is especially fond of Egypt, because it’s a country he has been to in the past, as well as the UAE. “I really like Egypt because I’ve been there in the past,” he says.
Souk Burger is looking to bring in Arabs and descendants, as well as all other nationalities, to watch the World Cup there whenever it’s open. A special menu has been put in place to this end.
It includes Falafitos – falafel sticks with curd-and-tahini mayonnaise sauce – and Lamb Bekaa – mini lamb kofta with grilled onion and tomato and Milky Pepper sauce, made with dry curd and red bell pepper. A drink was also created: Ginga, a gin tonic with the colors of Brazil, including green (lime) and yellow (cashew).
Souk Burger has put up TV sets in each of its halls so patrons can watch the games. The restaurant is located in the Pinheiros area of São Paulo. Besides sandwiches, the place offers other Middle Eastern foods, including entrées, salads, main courses and desserts. Also available are drinks made with arak, an Arab aniseed-based alcoholic beverage. The décor harks back to the Arab world, with images of deserts and souks.
Quick facts
Souk Burger
Phone: +55 (11) 3062 4674
Tuesday to Friday+Sunday: noon to 11 pm; Saturday: noon to midnight
Facebook: @soukburger
Instagram: @soukburger
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
