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Baylor graduate brings Lebanese taste to Waco

Oct. 7, 2004

By ASHLEY HOLT, reporter

Red-checkered floors and red square tabletops aren't the typical Mediterranean décor, but the zesty aroma of Mediterranean spices drifting from D's Chicken Delight can't be mistaken.

Established in August 2002, D's Chicken Delight is located at 1503 Colcord, on the corner of Colcord and 15th Streets.

The Mediterranean Grill is family-owned and run by Nizam and Diane Issa and their three sons. Diane, a 1973 Baylor graduate, and her family are of Lebanese descent.

"Our friends kept asking my husband and me to start a restaurant," Diane said. "So, we finally did."

D's menu consists of traditional Mediterranean foods that most people are familiar with, such as gyro/shawarma plates. Gyros are warm lamb meat wrapped in pita bread with sauce and vegetables.

"The gyros are awesome," said Niki Silva, a San Antonio senior. "They taste very authentic."

Diane said all of her ingredients are always fresh.

"We have our spices shipped to us from Lebanon," she said. "All of the meat and vegetables are fresh too."

Another popular dish is the chicken kabob plate, which is served with rice and any two sides, such as Greek salad, Tabouli salad, hummus or stuffed grape leaves.

"The chicken kabobs are my favorite," said Silva. "There are so many blends of spices that taste delicious."

The menu caters to a variety of tastes. The falafel plate, a dish for veggie-lovers, consists of only D's fresh vegetables.

"For people who are on low-carbohydrate diets, the Lebanese / Mediterranean diet is great," Diane said. "Everything is fresh and mostly grilled."

D's is perfect for chicken-lovers and hungry customers craving traditional American food as well. The American side of the menu provides choices of fried or grilled chicken tenders, catfish, shrimp and hamburgers. The sides are traditional home style choices of mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, fried okra, green beans and potato salad.

When D's first opened, it only served American food -- the Mediterranean tastes had not yet made it to the menu.

"We weren't sure how Mediterranean food would take with customers," Diane said.

In December of 2002, Issa began serving Mediterranean specials on Sundays only. She said there were so many customers on Sundays that people couldn't even sit down to eat. Not long after, D's Chicken Delight also became a Mediterranean Grill.

Not only are the tastes at D's sensational, but the prices are more than manageable as well, ranging from only $4.62 to $6.99.

"Many Baylor students are attracted to the Mediterranean food," Issa said. "They can't get it anywhere else, and our prices are reasonable."

To satisfy cravings for a good home-cooked meal or a light, fresh and inexpensive Mediterranean dish, visit D's Chicken Delight.

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