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The Migrant Kitchen
Project Overview
The Migrant Kitchen is a multi outlet fusion restaurant in New York City that operates under the slogan "Eat Well. Do Good." The Migrant Kitchen operates as a QSR chain and Government contractor for NYC agencies. It was featured globally for its outstanding menu and community impact.
Execution
Cultural Blend
The restaurant combines Middle Eastern and Latin American cuisines, reflecting the backgrounds of its co-owners which blended Palestinian and Mexican Cuisine.
This fusion is rooted in the historical migration between Palestinian towns and Latin America, creating a natural overlap in flavors and ingredients.
Innovative Dishes
The Migrant Kitchen offers creative fusion dishes that showcase their unique culinary perspective:
- Lamb torta filled with sumac and Aleppo-spiced lamb, black beans, and avocado
- Pork carnitas shawarma
- Pastleon Mahshi: a stuffed fried plantain with traditional Middle Eastern grape leaves and stuffed zucchini
- Jerusalem Bagel with Mezcal Smoked Salmon and Labne Cream, a play on the traditional New York Bagel
Results
Social Impact
Beyond its innovative cuisine, The Migrant Kitchen distinguishes itself through its commitment to social good:
- Providing employment opportunities to those from harsh economic backgrounds
- Donating meals to New Yorkers in need (one meal donated for every meal purchased)
- Supporting food security initiatives, having served over 4 million meals during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Lebanon and Palestine
Culinary Recognition
The restaurant's unique approach has garnered attention from food critics and media:
- New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells called it "one of Manhattan's most original restaurants"
- Featured in various media outlets including NYTimes, Eater, CNN, NBC, and MSNBC
By combining cultural authenticity, culinary innovation, and social responsibility, The Migrant Kitchen has created a distinctive fusion cuisine that resonates with both diners and critics in New York City.