Adding a colorful flavor to the Lowcountry, these families blend their passion for culture with the soul of Mount Pleasant, transporting their friends and neighbors to another world. There, ethnic cuisine enriches life with layers of depth and richness.
Marika
Born and raised in Pakistan, Maryam Ghaznavi grew up in the kitchen, the heart of her family's home, where she became the “head taster” of the aromatic biryani, karahis, saag and kababs made by her sister, mother and grandmother.
As a child, Ghaznavi liked to go out with her family and friends to the bustling streets lined with stalls and roadside cafes called dhabas, where she enjoyed snacks like chaat and biryani. Ghaznavi's passion for cooking and savoring the exquisite flavors of these and other textured dishes inspired him to become a chef.
When Ghaznavi immigrated to Canada from her home country, she met Pakistani-born Raheel Gauba, who is now her husband. After later relocating to Charleston, Ghaznavi and Gauba launched a meal delivery service featuring a fast-casual Pakistani street food concept, leading to a pop-up at the Warehouse in 2020. The business was so successful that in 2021 Ghaznavi served as a director.Opened by Chef/Owner and Creative Director/Co-Owner Gauba Marika Shokudo Inside Mount Pleasant Town Center.
Ghaznavi said, “Malika was created to deliver tastes, sights and sounds that mean the world to me, but what I want are moments that you will cherish forever.”
In 2023, as the brand's popularity grew, they opened a second restaurant, Ma'am Serve, on Meeting Street downtown.
To enjoy your day, book your table at www.malikacanteen.com.
pattaya thai
When Boonpo Lo, his wife Chen Hong, son David Lo, and daughter Kim Lo moved to Charleston from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 2006, the family spoke little English. Kim said such hardships did not deter her family from pursuing their dreams of a better life in America.
My aunt who owned pattaya thai When the restaurant was hiring cooks, Bunpo and Chen didn't hesitate to take on the role. Bunpo and Cheng bought the restaurant, named after Thailand's famous beach, in 2015 after she worked in a kitchen in Pattaya for seven years. By that time, Kim and David were fluent in English and were brought in to manage the front of the house.
When asked about the most rewarding thing about working in the restaurant industry with her family, Kim said she loves seeing her mom, dad, and brother every day while serving the community together. She also says that her mother and father put their heart and soul into every meal they make for their customers, whether it's popular dishes like pad thai, Korean curry, coconut soup, stir-fried basil leaves, tom yum goong or tom kha. said.
Pattaya Thailand does not accept reservations, so visit Lors at 607 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. “We're open seven days a week. Come see us anytime,” Kim said.
Nick's German Kitchen
Nick and Kelly Lukhotina's Guten Appetit! Restaurateurs since 2004, the Ruhotinas founded an upscale boutique restaurant called Mezzo in Darmstadt, Germany. Fifteen years later, the Mezzo brand, which blends European specialties with a focus on German and Italian cuisine, has landed in Mount His Pleasant, and in 2021 the Luhotinas changed the name. Nick's German Kitchenbased on high demand for more of his signature dishes such as schnitzel and spaetzle.
The Lukhotinas' son, Devin, started hosting at the Knicks at age 15 and now, at 18, serves as a server, serving Bavarian dishes such as bratwurst, bread dumplings, pork chops, Berlin-style calf liver, potato pancakes, and creamy sauces. We serve authentic dishes such as pretzels. Sauerkraut and sweet mustard.
“The most rewarding part of being a family-owned business is definitely the close-knit atmosphere and the friendships we build with our customers,” Kelly said. And it's great to be so close to the community every day, bringing back memories of past trips and family meals, and hearing first-hand how our dining experiences are impacting people. That sense of belonging is very important not only to our guests but also to us. ”
To make a reservation, visit nicksgerman.com.
Lola
Inspired by the mystical aura of Louisiana's foggy swamp culture, Jeff Filosa and his two sons, Nick Filosa and Matt Filosa, started a food truck catering and mobile lunch service in 2011. One Louisiana Seafood Kitchen was launched.
As business grew rapidly and they could only load a truck with enough supplies in an hour and a half, it became clear that the Filosas needed to open a brick-and-mortar space. In 2016 he founded LoLA in Park Circle, and by the end of 2023 the brand had expanded to Mount His Pleasant.
Matt currently runs the Park Circle kitchen and Nick oversees the Mount Pleasant location. Jeff said her daughter, Ali Filosa, helped out as a server and bartender at the Park Circle location in between.
Filosa, who has been cooking what he calls “Gulf Cuisine” since he was a boy and has extensive experience in the restaurant industry dating back to the 1970s, said he has spent decades learning how to make authentic Cajun food. Ta. His formula for running a successful restaurant business comes from his Italian heritage, which he says is similar to Cajun culture, where families cook together and compete to see who has the best recipe. said. Filosa added that LoLA takes pride in its high level of service and dressed-down comfort food that makes guests feel at home.
Whether you order étouffée, gumbo, jambalaya, alligator bites, boudin sausage, or overnight-marinated fresh crawfish from Louisiana, pair your course with a Hurricane cocktail and you'll be transported to the magical world of Creole culture. Probably.
Visit lolaparkcircle.com to reserve your table.
Written by Sarah Rose
