Mike Agel owns and operates Kunafa+ Cafe and Grill.[/caption]

Katy residents have a taste of the Mediterranean at the tips of their fingers.

Kunafa+ Cafe & Grill opened its doors March 2016 and has been enticing patrons ever since with its authentic cuisine, which consists of homemade wraps, flatbreads, grilled lamb, homemade sauces and kunafa dessert.

Palestine native and owner Mike Agel left information technology management for his culinary passion about two years ago. The self-taught chef said one customer literally jumped up and down inside the restaurant when she got her first taste of kunafa—the cafe’s namesake—which is  a sweet but light dessert that features homemade cheese.

“The lady that jumped up and down is now a regular customer, and she orders kunafa every week,” Agel said. “It gives me a sense of accomplishment and makes me very happy to see people’s reactions when they first try my food.”

Besides kunafa, the cafe’s most popular menu items include the mixed grill, which features lamb, chicken and beef skewers seasoned with a unique blend of Mediterranean spices that took years to create. Other popular eats include gyros filled with tender beef and a tzatziki sauce. Falafel served in a pita bread pocket is also a customer favorite.

“Everything we have is made from scratch–even the sauces like garlic and hot sauce–and that makes the food stand out too,” he said. “We’ve had people tell us we should package and sell our sauces but I don’t have time, so we tell people they can enjoy it at our restaurant.”

Besides tabbouleh, Greek salads, hummus and tzatziki, appetizers range from grape leaves to kibbe. The grape leaves are stuffed with cracked wheat and vegetables, then simmered with olive oil and lemon juice for three to four hours.

Kibbe is made from a combination of cracked wheat, ground beef, pine nuts, onions and spices deep-fried together for a unique blend of flavors.

Agel said one of his favorite menu items is the lentil soup made with his family’s original recipe.

“I got the recipe from my grandmother, but it has been passed down through generations,” he said.

Besides spending time with his wife and children, Agel said sharing the food he grew up with in Palestine makes him happy.

“Food is one of the joys of life, so when you give that to people, it’s a joyful thing,” Agel said.