The first time Tarek offered food for public consumption was not at a conventional restaurant. Filling a need for late night eats, Tarek began his route to fulfilling his American Dream via ownership of Midnight Lounge in 2008, located in the Short North area.

Tarek has loved food since he was a chef in Lebanon and always planned on running his own kitchen. His mother, who has always been a pillar and guiding light in his life, pushed him to persevere and not give up on having his own business. In just a short time, Tarek grew in love with Columbus and knew he wanted to support a local community and began to research where he could fill a need.

To this day, Tarek gives his mother full credit for everything that derived after this, as thanks to her faith in him and her own sacrifice, she became the rock and driving force of his success today.

The success of his first food enterprise only motivated Tarek to push further. His mother always taught him that sustainable success should be generated in small, but secure steps. Although his dream was to have his own brick and mortar restaurant, he knew he had to start somewhere.

This is what led to the opening of Mr. Hummus and Falafel Food trucks. Again, to support central Columbus neighborhoods while filling a localized need, Tarek opened his first food truck in the Bexley area in May of 2016. The immediate success of the unique food truck inspired him to open the second one in the Grandview area on the corner of 3rd and Grandview. His food was fresh and affordable, offering vegetarian options as well, and providing fast, healthy and inexpensive lunch and dinner options for the growing residential and professional audience in the Grandview area.

Thirteen years of setting foot in the United States, with his mother always shining above him and before him, and with a story of hard work that can be all too common for those who have risked everything to own their own business, Tarek opens Mr. Hummus Grill in March of 2018 which has now grown into 3 locations.

Over 15 years of experience in food preparation and presentation, Tarek strives to bring the authentic taste of Lebanon to the country he has learned to love so much and which he now calls his own.

Tarek has created the menu himself and will be placing his touch on all the dishes, but there will also be a Lebanese sous chef, promising an authentic experience and an explosion of flavor in every dish.

While the guiding light to Tarek’s success comes directly from his mother, the greatest motivation to move forward is born directly from his son Adam, who has now become the #1 reason to anything and everything related for the Tarek Albast legacy.