Zane’s Lebanese Grill located at 1424 E. Wooster St., has expanded its business to Bowling Green from their numerous locations in Toledo. 

Ali Ismail, one of the fellow owners and son of Zane Ismail, believes there is more to share from their restaurant than just food.

“We think that we’re bringing people some good food, healthy food, at a good price, at a fast pace and it’s our version of soul food,” Ali said. “You can tell when you eat food that feels empty, and you can tell when you eat food that feels full. My dad, he figured out how to take food, service, care, emotional and psychological healing. He mastered how to wrap it up in a ball and give it to somebody and then someone could take that, and all those things be fulfilled.”

Zane’s Lebanese Grill has numerous locations in the Toledo area, with their original location in Sylvania, Ohio. It was there that they first opened another endeavor for the business, which they have since then brought along to their new Bowling Green location.

“In 2022, we added a coffee shop. So, our first coffee shop is in our Sylvania location, and we added the same twist, the coffee and tea… One side is restaurant, one side is coffee, but it’s inside the same place. You can eat and grab coffee after,” Ali said.

Zane had been in the food business for over 50 years, making him the pillar of the business and his recipes the blueprint of the store. 

“My dad’s recipes and our combination of build your own and we added our own twist to it, healthiness and clean from scratch, that’s my dad’s way anyway, because Lebanese food’s healthy and that’s what we did,” Ali said. 

With the continued growth of their business, it has served as an exciting time and a test.

“Bowling Green is very important, because this location is gonna be the determining factor, whether we can grow outside of Bowling Green. This will basically determine whether we are ready to open another Zane’s that’s even farther away, that we can’t just be there to have its back.”

As a former student himself, Ali noted the craftiness and strategic manner that students have to use when finding their prospective meals.

“I went to college for 6 years, I did bachelor’s and a master’s. You got class, you want to go to the rec and work out. You got maybe a club you’re in, you got a group meeting with your classmates, you got to finish this project, you got to study for exams, then you got to go to the store; there’s so many things you have. So time is money, especially as a student who don’t have a lot of money,” he said.

Ali believes that despite the financial strain students may face, Zane’s has a menu that can accommodate those obstacles. What he calls a “bang for your buck”.

“You can come in, spend 12 bucks and not finish your food. And if you spend three more dollars, 15 bucks, you can definitely make that two meals no question about it,” he said.

Ali and his family have found a lot of satisfaction in running their business. They continue to look for ways to serve their customers and build relationships within the community.

“Honestly, it’s a lot of fun. A lot of time and dedication, a lot of care, a lot of love. If we did not love what we did, we would not be doing this because it’s not money that makes you happy. It is what you’re doing and the success and the feeling behind it that makes you happy,” he said.

As he recognizes the love that many of their supporters have shown them, Ali can’t help but feel grateful towards the community that Zane’s has gained.

“It’s a blessing. All that comes from God. And we try our best to maintain those ways and maintain those pathways to connection and love.”

Being a family run business, it can be a surprise as to who will be at the various locations. Though the faces may change, the family vibes within each location remain the same.

“So I think because they see this rawness, this authentic mentality of how to run a family business, how to run a local business, how to make it grow without losing the integrity of its reality, I think it’s powerful and people gravitate to that.”

Go to its website to learn more: https://zanesgrill.com/