PHILADELPHIA — Amid the bustling streets of Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood, Alamodak Restaurant & Lounge has become a haven for lovers of Jordanian and Levantine cuisine since its opening in 2017.
Tucked at 161 Cecil B. Moore Ave., the family-owned spot blends authentic halal dishes with the warmth of Arab hospitality — known as “dyafa” — drawing crowds for its home-cooked flavors and hookah lounge vibe.
For owner Francisco, who delights in sharing the restaurant’s backstory with guests, the menu is more than sustenance — it’s a vessel for culture and memory.
“I’m passionate about Arab cuisine because it carries our stories, our culture, and our traditions,” he said. “Every dish has a meaning, whether it’s the warmth of Lamb Mansaf, the comfort of Maqlobeh, or the freshness of Fattoush salad and falafel. Cooking Arab food allows me to share our hospitality and show people what ‘dyafa’ truly means. For me, it’s not just food — it’s identity, family, and memories.”Francisco, whose expertise lies in Jordanian and Levantine fare, favors Mansaf as his go-to dish to savor, citing its embodiment of generosity and tradition. Yet it’s Maqlobeh — the iconic upside-down rice pilaf layered with tender meats, eggplant and cauliflower — that he most enjoys preparing. “It always brings people together and everyone enjoys it,” he explained. The dish, a Sunday special at Alamodak with chicken or vegetarian options, is flipped tableside for dramatic effect, often eliciting gasps from first-timers.
That sense of communal joy extends to the restaurant’s bustling service, especially during high holy periods like Ramadan. Alamodak transforms into a festive iftar hub, offering a halal home-cooked open buffet laden with appetizers and mains featuring lamb, chicken and beef — all prepared fresh to mimic family recipes.
One particularly hectic evening during the holy month tested the team’s mettle. As sunset approached, an unexpected surge of guests flooded in, all eager to break their fast. Rather than let lines form, Francisco and his staff sprang into action: They swiftly extended the buffet, wheeled out additional trays of steaming lamb and chicken, and improvised extra seating from nearby tables.”Everyone was able to break their fast on time, and many guests told us it felt like a family gathering,” Francisco recalled. “Moments like this remind me why I love serving during Ramadan.”The payoff? Wide-eyed newcomers, often unfamiliar with the depth of Arab welcome, leave feeling like kin. “It feels great,” Francisco said of those first-time encounters with dyafa. “Many customers are surprised by how warm and welcoming Arab hospitality is. When they feel comfortable, respected, and treated like family, I know we delivered a real experience. Their reactions make all the work worth it.”Beyond the mains, Alamodak’s menu tempts with family-style mix grills, falafel platters and brunch fusions like Modak potato eggs — a nod to creative twists on tradition.
The BYOB policy and hookah selection make it a lively after-dinner draw, especially on weekends when belly dancers occasionally perform.
As Philadelphia’s Jordanian dining scene grows — with outposts like Alamodak Express — Francisco remains committed to keeping the focus intimate and authentic.
Open daily from 4 p.m., the restaurant offers pickup, delivery and dine-in, reachable at (267) 239-0088 or online at alamodakrestaurant.com.
In a city of cheesesteaks and soft pretzels, Alamodak proves that a taste of the Levant can feel like coming home.
