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CHICAGO - Taza, an American version of a Middle Eastern grilled-chicken concept, opened in the downtown "Loop" business and retail district here.
With opening costs estimated at between $3.5 million and $4 million, owner Sheik Abdul-Rahman Fakieh of Saudi Arabia and general manager Joel Steinwold are optimistic that this 250-seat, quickservice site will be a big draw in a highly trafficked part of the Loop that lacks high-profile restaurants.
Taza is Fakieh's westernized interpretation of his 22-unit Al-Tazaj chain in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries. Steinwold spearheaded the growth of the company after relocating to Saudi Arabia from Chicago, where he formerly operated two 1950s-style diners, Muskie's Hamburgers.
Noting that some 100,000 people pass by the Monroe Street and Wabash Avenue intersection daily, Steinwold believes that the location will be high-volume. Delivery to nearby offices is expected to begin before long.
During Taza's first week of business, the restaurant served an average of 1,500 meals daily, with 1,100 of them sold between about 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Checks averaged...