Moby Dick House of Kabob is set to open its latest restaurant in North Bethesda, specifically in the White Flint area at 11431-A Rockville Pike, adjacent to 7-Eleven. This marks the 26th restaurant for the Persian kabob chain and the seventh in Montgomery County, where its journey began in 1989 with the Bethesda location. The establishment has already displayed “coming soon” signage in the window area, taking over the storefront previously occupied by Verizon and situated next to Matreshka Russian Gourmet.
Founder Mike Daryoush, who immigrated to the United States from Iran in 1975, initiated the Moby Dick story with a small sandwich shop in Bethesda in 1987. Initially offering a few Middle Eastern dishes, the menu transitioned to Persian cuisine in 1989, incorporating a clay oven. The restaurant’s name pays homage to one of Tehran’s prominent kabob joints near the American Embassy during the Shah’s era, known as Moby Dick, chosen by the owner due to a fondness for the book. Mike Daryoush sadly passed away on May 9, 2019, shortly after celebrating the chain’s 30th anniversary.
The philosophy behind Moby Dick House of Kabob is rooted in the classic American dream narrative: conceive an idea, work diligently to bring it to fruition, create value for others, and witness its evolution into a successful venture. Throughout the journey, Moby Dick remains committed to the principle of “never cutting corners,” reflecting in the quality and character of their kabobs, gyros, falafel, baklava, and other beloved food items. The news of the forthcoming Moby Dick location was initially reported by Robert Dyer.
Featured Image courtesy of Moby Dick
