Name the Restaurant
February 7, 2008 6:10 AM Subscribe
Nametherestaurant filter: My friend is building a restaurant and needs ideas for a name. He'll be serving an interesting combo of food and would like a name to reflect that.
His menu will be primarily Mexican and Lebanese. Want carne asada in a pita? No problem. He wants to avoid a name with "kabob" in it because there are numerous kabob shops in our area. Thanks in advance for your ideas!
His menu will be primarily Mexican and Lebanese. Want carne asada in a pita? No problem. He wants to avoid a name with "kabob" in it because there are numerous kabob shops in our area. Thanks in advance for your ideas!
Salsa Shark
posted by bryanjbusch at 6:25 AM on February 7, 2008
posted by bryanjbusch at 6:25 AM on February 7, 2008
Beiruttos.
posted by misteraitch at 6:30 AM on February 7, 2008 [6 favorites]
posted by misteraitch at 6:30 AM on February 7, 2008 [6 favorites]
Beirut/Burrito
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:31 AM on February 7, 2008
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:31 AM on February 7, 2008
How upscale is the restaurant?
Maza Casa. Mexican Cedars (or something else using "cedars"). Saffron Salsa. (or something else that sounds like it could be a menu item ;) ).
posted by artifarce at 6:32 AM on February 7, 2008
Maza Casa. Mexican Cedars (or something else using "cedars"). Saffron Salsa. (or something else that sounds like it could be a menu item ;) ).
posted by artifarce at 6:32 AM on February 7, 2008
Sargon the Muchacho
The Kibbé and Queso
posted by XMLicious at 6:40 AM on February 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
The Kibbé and Queso
posted by XMLicious at 6:40 AM on February 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
Med About Mex
posted by teleskiving at 6:44 AM on February 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by teleskiving at 6:44 AM on February 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
South of the Burqa
posted by ND¢ at 6:52 AM on February 7, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by ND¢ at 6:52 AM on February 7, 2008 [2 favorites]
Hola Mezze
Mezzico
Sesame Calle / Calle de Sesame
NoVa Halva Salsa
Baklavayacondios
Arroz con Kibbeh
posted by mikepop at 6:52 AM on February 7, 2008
Mezzico
Sesame Calle / Calle de Sesame
NoVa Halva Salsa
Baklavayacondios
Arroz con Kibbeh
posted by mikepop at 6:52 AM on February 7, 2008
Jeff and Akbar's
posted by kuujjuarapik at 6:53 AM on February 7, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by kuujjuarapik at 6:53 AM on February 7, 2008 [2 favorites]
Tortilla and pita= "Torpita" or "Pitatilla"
How about simply "Combo"?
posted by bluefrog at 6:55 AM on February 7, 2008
How about simply "Combo"?
posted by bluefrog at 6:55 AM on February 7, 2008
Shish Taouko Bell
posted by XMLicious
My vote goes to this one.
posted by Grither at 6:58 AM on February 7, 2008
posted by XMLicious
My vote goes to this one.
posted by Grither at 6:58 AM on February 7, 2008
Salsà Akbàr
posted by matteo at 7:08 AM on February 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by matteo at 7:08 AM on February 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
assuming it's not high-end:
Pita Con Carne
Chili Pockets
The Aztec Ful (You might have to spell it Fool, though...)
posted by trig at 7:09 AM on February 7, 2008
Pita Con Carne
Chili Pockets
The Aztec Ful (You might have to spell it Fool, though...)
posted by trig at 7:09 AM on February 7, 2008
Akbar Santa Anna's Mexiterranean Cabana
posted by XMLicious at 7:22 AM on February 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by XMLicious at 7:22 AM on February 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
Med About Mex
posted by teleskiving
Actually, just Med Mex is pretty catchy.
posted by newmoistness at 7:22 AM on February 7, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by teleskiving
Actually, just Med Mex is pretty catchy.
posted by newmoistness at 7:22 AM on February 7, 2008 [2 favorites]
Pita Fajita
Salsa vs. Hummus: The Delicious Battle
Food Restaurant
posted by ignignokt at 8:31 AM on February 7, 2008 [2 favorites]
Salsa vs. Hummus: The Delicious Battle
Food Restaurant
posted by ignignokt at 8:31 AM on February 7, 2008 [2 favorites]
oh, that sounds wonderful! i'm so hungry now.
i would second "beirut burrito" if it's a quick-service joint
in guadalajara there is a chain of falafel stands called "tacos arabes."
for something more upscale, how about:
shishasada
cumin
spice
posted by thinkingwoman at 9:49 AM on February 7, 2008
i would second "beirut burrito" if it's a quick-service joint
in guadalajara there is a chain of falafel stands called "tacos arabes."
for something more upscale, how about:
shishasada
cumin
spice
posted by thinkingwoman at 9:49 AM on February 7, 2008
Med Mex gets my vote. Just don't do some stupid internal capitalization "MedMex" thing.
posted by arcticwoman at 10:05 AM on February 7, 2008
posted by arcticwoman at 10:05 AM on February 7, 2008
I am no expert on trademark law, but I'm just throwing this out there so that you know. There's a regional chain in PA/OH that's Cal-Mex called Mad Mex.
I mention this since one of our local restaurants was just forced to change their name from Hot Dogma (to Franktuary) due to an infringement case from another place (in Florida) with a similar name (Dogma Grill). I'd hate to see something similar happen to your friend.
posted by librarianamy at 10:19 AM on February 7, 2008
I mention this since one of our local restaurants was just forced to change their name from Hot Dogma (to Franktuary) due to an infringement case from another place (in Florida) with a similar name (Dogma Grill). I'd hate to see something similar happen to your friend.
posted by librarianamy at 10:19 AM on February 7, 2008
How 'bout a takeoff on one of those "Chinese Food / Fried Chicken / Subs / Pizza" joints?
Chimichangas / Kibbeh / Tacos / Lebneh
posted by grateful at 10:26 AM on February 7, 2008
Chimichangas / Kibbeh / Tacos / Lebneh
posted by grateful at 10:26 AM on February 7, 2008
I love, love "Mexiterranean" and also the fun sound of "Pita Fajita" or "Pita Tortilla."
posted by platinum at 10:40 AM on February 7, 2008
posted by platinum at 10:40 AM on February 7, 2008
There's a Mexican Irish restaurant named José Malone's. I've always found the name both descriptive and memorable. Maybe try combinations of common first and last names in Mexico and Lebanon?
posted by Asymptote at 11:09 AM on February 7, 2008
posted by Asymptote at 11:09 AM on February 7, 2008
I should note that "Med Mex" sounds to me like a pharmacy.
posted by Asymptote at 11:11 AM on February 7, 2008
posted by Asymptote at 11:11 AM on February 7, 2008
Hummus Jefe. Probably not The Baklava Bandito.
posted by Bernt Pancreas at 11:15 AM on February 7, 2008
posted by Bernt Pancreas at 11:15 AM on February 7, 2008
The Lebanese Mexican Restaurant. The Mexican Lebanese Restaurant. I'm bad at this.
posted by mamaraks at 11:54 AM on February 7, 2008
posted by mamaraks at 11:54 AM on February 7, 2008
Chimichangas / Kibbeh / Tacos / Lebneh
Acronymized: CKTL
Oops, you might want to put them in a different order.
posted by XMLicious at 11:56 AM on February 7, 2008
Acronymized: CKTL
Oops, you might want to put them in a different order.
posted by XMLicious at 11:56 AM on February 7, 2008
I'd just call it "Deliciousness." Because that's what it sounds like.
posted by Metroid Baby at 12:26 PM on February 7, 2008
posted by Metroid Baby at 12:26 PM on February 7, 2008
I should note that "Med Mex" sounds to me like a pharmacy.
And just a letter off of entering the Thunderdome... :P
I really think you'll want a simple 1-3 syllable 1 word name that's easy to remember and pronounce. It should also appeal to the general market of people you're intending to serve (well of course that's the point!!).
You could even make this is easy as your friend's first name...like Jacob's or Bob's etc.
The basic lebanese dish layout is a mezze I believe, so you could do a play on words with that too to show that it is also incorporating a mexican flair.
Taco Mezze
Mezze Bell (how was it? it was mezze bell..ok that one is fun but not a good choice hah).
I really think your best bet is to ask around your locale though to get some general feedback on name ideas. eg. "Would you eat a place called ___?"
Making the name easy to pronounce and memorable is paramount tho.
posted by samsara at 1:09 PM on February 7, 2008
And just a letter off of entering the Thunderdome... :P
I really think you'll want a simple 1-3 syllable 1 word name that's easy to remember and pronounce. It should also appeal to the general market of people you're intending to serve (well of course that's the point!!).
You could even make this is easy as your friend's first name...like Jacob's or Bob's etc.
The basic lebanese dish layout is a mezze I believe, so you could do a play on words with that too to show that it is also incorporating a mexican flair.
Taco Mezze
Mezze Bell (how was it? it was mezze bell..ok that one is fun but not a good choice hah).
I really think your best bet is to ask around your locale though to get some general feedback on name ideas. eg. "Would you eat a place called ___?"
Making the name easy to pronounce and memorable is paramount tho.
posted by samsara at 1:09 PM on February 7, 2008
Oh, and I'm a big fan of Pita-Fajita mentioned above. Very catchy!
posted by samsara at 1:32 PM on February 7, 2008
posted by samsara at 1:32 PM on February 7, 2008
I like Pita Fajita, too. It reminds me of that kickbutt episode of Cheers:
"Beetabega on a pita fajita?"
"Sorry, I don't speak Spanish."
posted by Foam Pants at 6:07 PM on February 7, 2008
"Beetabega on a pita fajita?"
"Sorry, I don't speak Spanish."
posted by Foam Pants at 6:07 PM on February 7, 2008
El Oriente Medio
posted by kuujjuarapik at 7:38 PM on February 7, 2008
posted by kuujjuarapik at 7:38 PM on February 7, 2008
Lexican or Mebanese. I vote Lexican.
posted by damnjezebel at 8:22 PM on February 7, 2008
posted by damnjezebel at 8:22 PM on February 7, 2008
Jeff and Akbar's
posted by kuujjuarapik
Can I tick this as a fave a few more times?
posted by methylsalicylate at 6:21 AM on February 8, 2008
posted by kuujjuarapik
Can I tick this as a fave a few more times?
posted by methylsalicylate at 6:21 AM on February 8, 2008
if it's nicer, the lexicon/lexican suggestion is the best.
posted by history is a weapon at 8:41 AM on February 9, 2008
posted by history is a weapon at 8:41 AM on February 9, 2008
I'd drop another vote for Shishtawouko Bell, but I feel compelled to point out this may present even greater risk of a trademark lawsuit than Mad Mex/Med Mex. . .
posted by FlyingMonkey at 10:30 AM on February 25, 2008
posted by FlyingMonkey at 10:30 AM on February 25, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:22 AM on February 7, 2008