For the past six years Zayna has been the go-to spot for Mediterranean food in midtown Tucson. The small space at 4122 E. Speedway always seems to be full, and on weekends you can expect a wait.
That’s one of the reasons the restaurant is moving to a significantly larger space just down the street.
You’ll soon find the Lebanese and Syrian specialties at the former Molina’s Midway, 1138 N. Belvedere Ave., which closed in May after 64 years in business.
The Star reported that the Molina siblings had sold the space in April. The sign is still on the door, but Zayna’s is expected to open in about a month and a half, said manager Amer Said.
With four large dining rooms and enough seating for 200 people, the Molina’s space is significantly larger than Zayna’s current location inside what used to be Feast. The new spot also has no street visibility from Speedway, since it’s tucked back in a neighborhood off Belvedere Avenue.
But Said isn’t worried.
“We just have to have a different system,” he said. “We have regular customers who will follow us.”
The new spot will have better parking, as well as space for larger parties that were previously turned away. There will also be more room in the kitchen to put out the fresh colorful plates that Zayna is known for. But don’t expect changes in the menu. It’s going to be the same.
Plans have not been worked out for Zayna’s existing space.
“We’re not going to close it completely,” he said. But there may be a different concept in the future.
