Original Sal's Kabob & Gyro Grill is coming back to where it all started. The family-run Mediterranean favorite, which first built its following in Elk Grove, is opening a third location in the Raley's Center at Elk Grove Boulevard and Franklin on Saturday. Founders Sulaiman "Sal" and Farah Safi are back at the helm and say regulars can expect the same gyros, kabobs, shawarmas and fresh falafel they remember, plus a new dessert twist built around Mediterranean-style ice cream layered with baklava.
Founders Take Back Their Name
The return of the Safi family brand was first detailed by The Sacramento Bee, which reports that the couple ran the original Laguna Boulevard restaurant for 15 years before handing it off to new owners. According to the Bee, the new spot will again fly the full Original Sal's Kabob & Gyro Grill banner and bring back core menu items many Elk Grove locals say they have missed. The comeback follows ownership changes at the Laguna Boulevard location, which now runs under a different name.
Where To Find The New Spot
City tourism listings put the revived Original Sal's at 4810 Elk Grove Blvd, Suite 140, inside the Raley's Center near Elk Grove Boulevard and Franklin, per Explore Elk Grove. That listing notes that Sal and Farah Safi are the same family who launched the Laguna shop years ago and says the Elk Grove location is meant to recapture the flavors longtime customers remember. Delivery sites and online menus already circulating suggest the kitchen is up and running with familiar plates.
What Is On The Menu, Plus A Sweet Twist
Menu highlights include gyros, kabobs, shawarmas and freshly made falafel, along with burgers, Philly cheesesteaks and fries, according to local listings and coverage. What Now Sacramento notes that the Elk Grove shop will add a dessert program built around Mediterranean-style baklava ice cream, with pistachio, walnut and chocolate flavors layered with pieces of baklava. Delivery listings on platforms like Postmates and Uber Eats mirror that relaunch lineup, featuring platters, gyros and shareable sides.
Regional Footprint And Local Buzz
The Safis still run Sal's locations elsewhere in the region, including a Lodi restaurant listed on Visit Lodi, which gives the brand a small but steady regional presence. Their brief foray into downtown Sacramento last year, covered by the Sacramento Business Journal, underscored the family's push to keep their recipes circulating around the area. Early chatter from longtime customers and on local forums has mixed curiosity with clear enthusiasm about getting the "original" Elk Grove flavor back.
Opening Day Deal For Locals
On opening day, anyone who mentions "Explore Elk Grove" at checkout will score 30 percent off their order, according to The Sacramento Bee. Between that discount and the promise of baklava ice cream, regulars have a pretty solid excuse to swing by when the doors open. Hours and exact service times differ slightly across online listings, so would-be diners are encouraged to double-check the restaurant website or delivery platforms before heading over.
