Lakewood has long been known as a distinct and diverse city, both in its people and cuisine. A great contributor to that reputation is the vast variety of restaurants all over the city. It feels like every part of the world is covered by way of restaurants, from India to Mexico; there are restaurants to represent every corner of the world.
Although it once seemed one part of the world was missing, the Mediterranean, that is no longer an issue. One of the city’s food truck landmarks, Baba Chef serves to represent the region, offering great food and an even better experience
But where did Baba Chef get its start? The owner of the food truck, Salem Alrawashdeh, explained the history of the business: “We opened up this business about a year and a half ago,last June, in 2024.
I’ve been a chef for almost seven years plus,” Alrawashdeh said. But before the food truck, Alrawashdeh honed his cooking skills at AlPita Mediterranean Cuisine in Rocky River, which is owned and operated by a friend.
Eventually, cooking became a hobby Alrawashdeh enjoyed, and he spent a lot of time perfecting it. “Actually, I like cooking, and I like doing nice dishes, and eventually I saw really good feedback from people about these dishes,” he said.
Alrawashdeh believes that the positive reviews of his dishes kept him going, one of the many things he loves about cooking.
But there’s even more to the food truck than just the positive reviews. “My whole plan for this food truck was to be late night, snacks, and food,” Alrawashdeh said. Baba Chef serves as a late-night staple for the Lakewood restaurant scene.
“We operate five days a week—Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays, we are open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.” Alrawashdeh said.
Baba Chef specializes in late-night fare, but what exactly is on the menu? “We serve some Mediterranean food, some Greek, like gyros, some American, which is cheesesteaks and burgers,” Alrawashdeh said.
There is no shortage of items on the menu, from fish and chips to shawarma and hummus. Baba Chef covers global flavors, with a special focus on Mediterranean dishes.
Besides the extensive menu, much of what makes Baba Chef special comes from its patrons. Jimmy Miller has worked in the building next to Baba Chef since the 1970s. Miller is a regular customer and has been going to Baba Chef since it opened. “I try it once or twice a week, sometimes more, and he has been wonderful,” he said.
Miller is one of Baba Chef’s many loyal patrons, his favorite dish being the tilapia. As one of the first customers, he shared his first impressions: “He’s a wonderful cook. I didn’t know how [good] he was, but I tried the French fries; they’re better than McDonald’s. I love them,” Miller said.
It’s not just Miller who has positive things to say about the food truck—local students also love Baba Chef. Toree Stroud, a junior at Lakewood High School, visited the restaurant last Saturday. “I ordered the loaded fries, and it was nothing but amazing—great food and even better service. This place is a staple in the community,” she said.
With its diverse menu, late-night hours, and amazing customer service, Baba Chef has rapidly differentiated itself from being just another food truck. It’s turned into a hub for flavors from around the world and a place to discover new favorites.
Alrawashdeh’s dedication to the craft of cooking and to his business is clear, reflected in the range of patrons, from longtime neighbors to local students. Baba Chef stands out in the Lakewood restaurant scene as not only a food truck with excellent dishes but a pillar of the community.
