Mediterranean food is on the rise in Wilmington with two local restaurants seeking expansion.

Owners of The Greeks Authentic Mediterranean Deli announced that they have secured a new location in Jacksonville where they will replicate their downtown eatery.

The restaurant closed its Monkey Junction store, which was located in the Beau Rivage Shopping Center, earlier this year after the owners said they were unable to successfully negotiate a new lease. Yanni Papanikolaou, who operates The Greeks with his parents and sister, told the Greater Wilmington Business Journal at that time that he anticipated opening two additional locations this year.

In a recent Facebook post Papanikolaou stated: “Just because we found one there (Jacksonville) first, that doesn’t mean we aren’t looking here in Wilmington. After all, this is home, and we want to find the best spot to serve you all!”

In other news on the Mediterranean dining front, Baba Ghannouj owner Jamal Haddad has announced that he and his team are looking to expand beyond the restaurant’s two current locations on South College Road and at Independence Mall.

Baba Ghannouj specializes in traditional Mediterranean fare such as gyros, kifta and falafel as well as gyro shawirma (with potatoes, garlic and parsley) and curried chicken, served mild to very hot.

The fast casual restaurant prepares fresh hummus, tabbuleh and baba ghannouj daily on site and Haddad says that and his customers -- some of whom drive from Jacksonville weekly -- will attest to the fact that it makes a huge difference in taste.

“We grind fresh ingredients every day here, because it is easy to tell fresh from pre-packaged and our customers have very discerning taste,” Haddad said. “We have so many young people walk over from UNCW that have come from all over the world to study, and they know the difference. So many tell us that our hummus for instance, is the best they have ever eaten. That makes me very proud and it’s the reason we will always make it fresh every day.”

Haddad is currently looking for additional locations in and around the Wilmington area with plans for expansion by later this year.

Have at tip for Restaurant Roundup? Email us at: [email protected]