- Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi restaurant introduces camel burgers
- Date: 2nd July 2009
- Summary: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (RECENT) (REUTERS) CAMEL RACE IN RIYADH SAUDI KING ABDULLAH WATCHING CAMEL RACE USING BINOCULARS CAMEL JOCKEY CELEBRATES WINNING RACE CAMELS IN DESERT SAUDI MAN DRIVING AND SINGING FOR CAMELS CAMELS IN DESERT CLOSE OF CAMEL VARIOUS OF WORKER CUTTING CAMEL LIVER AT RESTAURANT VARIOUS OF MAN COOKING LIVER MEN EATING VARIOUS OF MAN SPICING AND EATING CAMEL LIVER RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (RECENT) (REUTERS) SAUDI MEN ORDERING CAMEL MEAT BURGER MAN POINTING AT CAMEL MEAT BURGER CASHIER MAN PAYING MONEY (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) NAIEF KAHTANI, SAYING: "This is a new idea, not only at the Riyadh or Saudi level, but on a world level. The brothers came up with the idea of Hashi (Camel meat) burgers to help produce Saudi jobs and thank God (it has gone well). The camel and Hashi is a symbol of us Saudis."
- Embargoed: 17th July 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Saudi Arabia
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA6SQZ9C9HSSG6UNRJX2P0GB0EQ
- Story Text: The first restaurant making Camel burgers opens in Saudi Arabia to the delight of locals.
Three Saudi brothers have taken the growing business of fast food to another level by introducing camel burgers to the desert Kingdom.
The men have since seen growing demand for their camel burgers, or as Saudis prefer to call Camel meat "Hashi burgers".
The consumption of camel meat is not unheard of in the region, but is a rare dish that is often eclipsed by traditional meats like beef and chicken.
The camel is a symbol of the Arabian deserts and has been crucial to Arabs, notably traders, for centuries.
One customer at the "Roast Burger" restaurant, Naief Kahtani, said he was extremely happy that the brothers introduced the new burger to Saudis.
"This is a new idea, not only at the Riyadh or Saudi level, but on a world level. The brothers came up with the idea of Hashi (Camel meat) burgers to help produce Saudi jobs and thank God (it has gone well). The camel and Hashi is a symbol of us Saudis," he said.
Another customer Ahmad Al Okaili, heaped praise on the owners.
"Firstly, they are Saudi boys, and secondly, I really liked their idea and enthusiasm. This is what I liked here, they are the first people (to produce Hashi) and have gained recognition for it. They deserve all this attention," he said.
Mohammad Kbaishi, restaurant co-owner, says the burgers have become a hit with the locals.
"Many restaurants use Hashi meat and many households eat it. The Saudis see it as one of the finest types of meat, so demand has been growing incredibly and people are coming from all over Riyadh to try Hashi meat," he said.
The restaurant took off to a slow start as the brothers had little start up money, but as word spread of the unusual burgers on offer at the restaurant, sales have increased substantially.
Mohammed Naghi, another customer, said he liked the burger after tasting the meat for the first time.
"To be honest, this is the first time I try it and I liked it. But my friend has come several times and advised me to come and try it. I like it, it doesn't have too much grease and you feel it's light. It tastes good," he said.
Saleh Quwaismi, co-owner of restaurant, said the response of locals to the new burger was more than they expected.
"Before we opened the restaurant, we were trying to come up with something new, so after considering the Saudi people's love for Hashi meat we came up with the idea of coming up with producing Hashi meat because of its taste and flavour. We decided to produce it and we saw an extraordinary response."
The owners of the shop have said Saudi bureaucracy delayed their venture for at least six months before their approval arrived. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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