On the Menu: Love of Travel and Family Traditions Behind Akhis in Pacific Beach
Inspired by cooking shows, global travel, and deep-rooted family traditions, Malik Sayad founded Akhis Authentic Shawarma and Kabab, a casual grab-and-go restaurant in Pacific Beach. His lifelong passion for food began in his early childhood and has always gone hand in hand with his love of discovering new cultures.
“Growing up as a kid, I lived for watching all the cooking shows, especially the ones with Gordon Ramsey and Anthony Bourdain,” he said.
Sayad’s travels — from Italy and Greece to Turkey, Morocco, and Egypt — further fueled his appreciation for traditional flavors and culinary diversity.
“Wherever we traveled, our love for food never ended; our focus was always on the food and trying traditional flavors,” Sayad said. “Anything that is part of the culture, we want to see what it’s about.”
As an adult, Sayad has combined his influences — cooking shows, travel, and family heritage — to shape Akhis into what he calls “a Middle Eastern fusion shop with unique flavors and all fresh ingredients.”
The Meaning Behind the Name
In Arabic, “Akhis” means “my brothers.” Along with his older brother Tony, Sayad developed the concept as a celebration of family and shared cultural traditions.
“We grew up traveling the world and cooking with our family. We have taken our Middle Eastern culture and traditions and fused it into a boiling pot of flavors,” he said.
Author's Summary
Malik Sayad drew on his lifelong passion for food, world travels, and family traditions to create Akhis, a Pacific Beach eatery blending cultural authenticity with modern Middle Eastern flavors.