Two owners of Baba G, Leslie Nguyen and Tim Mahshi, display their new menu items at the rebranded Byblos Cafe. “We wanted to maintain our healthier Mediterranean food options, with a fast food environment,” says Nguyen. “Our menu has so much flavor, and I can eat from it every day without feeling heavy.”
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Baba G
The longstanding Mediterranean restaurant Byblos Cafe is ready for the next generation, and has rebranded to Baba G, under the ownership of Tim Mahshi, the son of Byblos’ original owners.
Mahshi partnered with Bosscat Kitchen founders Leslie Nguyen and John Reed to take over Byblos Cafe after his parents retired two years ago, but he had long imagined turning the restaurant into a quick-service model. In May, Baba G reopened as a fast-casual Mediterranean eatery.
“I’m looking forward to making Tim’s dream become a reality,” says Nguyen. “This edition of Baba G is what he had always envisioned it to be: clean, healthy, simple and fast.”
Mahshi was passionate about the fast-casual option for a while, and tried it at last year’s Orange International Street Fair, where the concept proved to be extremely efficient.
Tim Mahshi, son of Byblos Café’s original owners, is carrying on his family’s Mediterranean legacy with the reimagined Baba G. Blending tradition with his own fresh, health-forward twist, the fast-casual spot offers gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options.
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In addition to the format changes, Baba G also has a renewed focus on healthy, high-quality ingredients.
For Mahshi, the shift to a more health-oriented menu came from a personal journey.
“I have ulcerative colitis, so I went down a rabbit hole of finding out which foods were actually good for me,” he says. “I realized so much of our health has to do with having fresh foods and avoiding certain ingredients.”
Today, Baba G’s menu has gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options, and will soon be entirely seed-oil-free. Customers can customize their own bowl, wrap or salad, or choose from specialties like Baba’s Burger, a Mediterranean koobideh beef patty with za’atar labneh.
“It’s a great way for people to mix and match what their taste buds are, and discover some new flavors,” says Mahshi.
Pictured here is a taste of the fresh, flavorful dishes you can enjoy at Baba G. The Rice Bowl (left) is piled high with crispy falafel, creamy hummus, silky tahini, fresh tomato and cucumber, tangy pickled cabbage, and bright, herby tabbouleh. In the 50/50 Bowl, juicy Chicken Shawarma and tasty Za’atar Labneh meet cucumber, pickled cabbage, fresh tomato and toum.
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Next, Mahshi, Nguyen and Reed are excited to master the quick-service style and scale the business to multiple locations.
Mahshi says the changes they’ve made to the restaurant, both internally and externally, have introduced Baba G to even some longtime Orange residents who weren’t familiar with Byblos Cafe, and he wants to continue that momentum.
There are also Byblos customers who are attached to the original format, but Mahshi reminds them that he’s committed to building on his parents’ foundation while forging his own path.
“I want people to know that I really appreciate how much everyone adored my parents and their style, but I want them to give Baba G a chance, even if it’s a bit different,” he says. “This is a legacy my parents are thrilled with, and I still talk to them every single day and ask for their opinions.”
Baba G
129 West Chapman Ave., Old Towne Orange, CA 92866 / 714-538-7180
