In a celebration of family and culinary tradition, Zane Ismail and his three sons, Ali, Muhamed, and Jaafer, along with his daughter Batoul, have once again expanded their restaurant, Zane’s Lebanese Grill, bringing their unique “Roll it or bowl it” concept to Westgate. Nestled in the Scrambler’s Plaza at 3344 Secor Rd., this new location is a testament to the Ismail family’s mission: to serve healthy and heart warming food.
“We are excited to bring love and care through our healthy, freshly made Lebanese food to this area,” said Ali Ismail, a sentiment that captures the passion his family pours into every dish.
For the last seven years, Zane and his family have nurtured their Sylvania location at 4900 McCord Rd., having built a loyal following over the past 17 years including at their original location in Sylvania.
Their expansion into Lambertville in 2022 was another step forward in their journey to share their family recipes with new communities.
The Westgate location showcases the same menu as Sylvania, allowing customers to personalize their experience with either a pita wrap, a bowl, or a traditional platter. Each meal starts with a choice of protein from options like marinated chicken breast (Tawook), seasoned ground beef and lamb (Kafta), grilled falafel, or the new Beef Shawarma. From there, guests can pile on fresh toppings such as yellow rice, pickles, grilled vegetables, lettuce, house made pickles, and more. A variety of flavorful, homemade sauces—such as Zane’s signature non-dairy garlic sauce, homemade cucumber yogurt (taziki), Secret Sauce, Lebanese salsa and new tahini sauce—further enhance each creation. Side dishes, prepared with the highest quality ingredients, range from classic hummus to crisp fetoush salad, all made fresh with a commitment to health and taste.
“My dad has been cooking for over 45 years, using traditional recipes that have been in our family for years,” said Muhamed Ismail, reflecting on the culinary legacy their father has built. The family’s commitment to quality is evident in their “no freezer, no fryer, no microwave” policy, a principle the Ismails stand firmly by to ensure every dish is as fresh and wholesome as possible. This policy is enhanced by the educational backgrounds of the Ismail children, each holding degrees in the physical sciences field. Zane Ismail’s and his mentor’s, (his eldest brother Muhamed) recipes, these degrees in health, exercise science, and epidemiology, help the siblings implement healthy ideas into their long standing traditions.
While the Secor location does have a fryer from the previous establishment, allowing for gluten-free french fries, the family remains steadfast in their dedication to offering nutritious, unprocessed foods. “We make our yogurt, all of our sauces, and we grill our falafel,” explained Ali Ismail. The restaurant’s desserts, including rice pudding, cheesecake, and baklava cheesecake, are also crafted in-house.
Zane’s Lebanese Grill is more than a place to eat; it’s a place for the community to come together, and this spirit extends to their Mediterranean Café within the Sylvania location. Opening daily at 8 am, the café offers a wide selection of organic coffees and teas, with a distinct menu of specialty drinks like the Mediterranean Latte and the popular Adanai Chai, a premium organic tea blended with milk, cardamom, and spices, with no syrup or concentrate added to this specialty drink.
“All our coffee is made from organic, single-origin Yemeni coffee beans,” Ali Ismail shared. “Our specialty lattes and teas are made with organic spices and honey, avoiding syrups or premixed powders. We aim for authenticity in every sip.” With each new location, the Ismails enhance their customers’ experience through features like a dedicated checkout area, online ordering, and a selection of fresh pastries.
The latest addition, a user-friendly mobile app available from the App Store and Google Play, makes it even easier for customers to enjoy Zane’s from wherever they are.
The family is also in the process of opening a Maumee localtion.
For Zane Ismail and his children, the restaurants are more than a business; they are a shared purpose that deepens their family bonds. “I love working with my children,” Zane Ismail expressed. “These are the best days of my whole life, working alongside them.”
For this tight-knit family, Zane’s Lebanese Grill is both a legacy and a labor of love, carrying forward recipes that have been passed down for generations and creating new memories with every dish they serve.