Meet Lialie Ibrahim | Food Nostalgia Fairy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lialie Ibrahim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lialie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting my own business began when I moved to San Diego in 2011. I thought and hoped it would involve coffee. My very first job was at a cafe. While gathering over cups of great coffee will always be important to me, sharing the food I grew up with has so much more meaning. I ate Arabic food all over San Diego and sought after food that tasted like my childhood visiting and living in Palestine. I was a full-time educator and started a side endeavor of sharing authentic Arabic food with the community in 2017. I shared food made from my mom and aunts recipes with friends and family. I took in their feedback and continued to develop the food that I would later share at popups, farmers markets, run clubs and through catering. When sharing the food with everyone, I realized there was a place for authentic falafel and shawarma that I had as a kid. After two years of operating as a popup restaurant, I set out to share my food with as many people as I could through my storefront in North Park.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career started in education. I’ve served as a coach, director and finally a teacher for underserved youth in court and community schools. Those 14 years were very challenging but very fulfilling work. Some of my previous students visit my storefront, which is pretty awesome. I also worked with friends who created Boochcraft after trying the liquid gold, Adam and Andrew were home brewing and sharing at their family gatherings in Ocean Beach. It was working with Boochcraft where I met some of the North Park community where I would end up opening a storefront. A shout out here goes to Working Class who helped welcome me to the neighborhood. After almost 20 years in education and sales, I felt the void of my culture and upbringing. In 2020, my Arab roots beckoned and I started Falafel Heights to share Palestinian food I grew up eating.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I mean, this is going to be a very narrow and abridged list because there is so much good stuff in San Diego. If we were going to hit up my frequented spots here are a few places. I also really love Asian cuisine so sushi is a must.
*Shank and Bone, Sushi Deli or Soichi if we can get a reservation and wanted to indulge.
*Redwing in North Park for a casual meal and karaoke hangout.
*Mabel’s Gone Fishing. I really love the offerings and the staff is great
*Visit North Park shops and visit the Thursday farmers market. If we are up for it, Jazz night at Blind Lady.
*We’ve got to take a walk along the beach at some point. Probably Mission Beach to Pacific Beach to build up to a good meal
*A bike ride and ferry to and from Coronado. I would eat at Saiko Sushi
*Hike Torrey Pines and maybe Italian in Little Italy at Civico
*Cruise through Balboa Park and Hillcrest then hit the Sunday farmers market for food.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m extremely grateful to the community around me that picked up food in the parking lot by my apartment, showed up at popups, helped staff catering events and still support my storefront. That community is made up of family, friends and patrons who thought I was crazy for taking on a popup/restaurant idea but tried the food, drank the mint lemonade and did nothing but cheer me on through every bite. While I was personally driven to open a storefront for Falafel Heights, the community of friends I met through running, teaching and sales for a kombucha brand fueled the seven-year process to get here. A big Shoutout goes to Milestone Running in North Park, the November Project fitness community, the crew at Kairoa Brewing Company, Vegan Food Popup, Dia Del Cafe in University Heights and life-long friends I made while working with Boochcraft.

Website: https://falafelheights.com

Instagram: Falafelheights

Twitter: falafelheights

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Falafel-Heights/100067635140950/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/falafel-heights-san-diego

Image Credits
Photo with plate of food: Mo Qabbani