Tarboosh brings late-night bites to Des Moines

How it started: In 2020, while homesick for Lebanese food, owner Mohamad Baydoun began cooking his favorite dishes at home for his wife, Rachel, and their family, since dining out wasn't an option.

• A couple years later, after family and friends encouraged him to start his own business, he went to the farmers market and noticed a lack of Mediterranean places.
• So he signed up for the Valley Junction and downtown farmers markets and found success with just a small grill, fryer and tent.

State of play: Mohamad and Rachel expanded Tarboosh outside of the markets and launched a food trailer this year.

• He quit his day job and focuses on Tarboosh full time now.

Between the lines: Growing up in Beirut inspired his love for late-night culture, where people are eating, talking and walking at all hours.

• He wants to bring that energy to Des Moines.

What they're saying: "All we wanted was just to make some connections in the community and a side weekend activity — and it transformed from that into this," Baydoun says.

Zoom in: The menu includes shawarma and kafta wraps ($12), falafel wraps ($11), cheese rolls ($6), and baklava ($2).

• Baydoun also plans on offering Turkish coffee, rice dishes and salads in the future.

If you go: Find the Tarboosh food trailer during weekends near Court Avenue from 9pm–3am, including this Saturday and Sunday. They will also have some lunch hours and pop-ups.

• Check Instagram for the most up-to-date schedule.
• He's also returning to both markets this May.