Credit: Photos by Dan Schere

Z&Z, the Washington-area business serving the Middle Eastern flatbread manoushe, topped with the herb blend za’atar, opened its first brick-and-mortar location on Thursday in Rockville.

Brothers Danny and Johnny Dubbaneh started Z&Z in 2016 as a business operating out of farmers markets and grocery stores.

The Dubbanehs announced in July that they would be taking over the space at 1111 Nelson St., formerly occupied by the now-closed pizzeria Slice of Rockville. The location happens to also be where their father, Fayez, ran a fast-casual chicken restaurant from 1982 to 2006.

Customers flocked to the Rockville café when it opened at 5 p.m. on Thursday. An hour after the opening, customers were waiting outside as employees brought them their to-go orders.

Z&Z’s flatbreads are made to order and include eight types, among which are the “classic” (za’atar and olive oil), “Lebanese Bride” (labneh, za’atar, tomatoes, cucumber, mint), “cocktail” (half za’atar, half cheese) and “Lahn Bi Ajeen” (ground beef, tomatoes, onions, parsley, spices).

Initially Z&Z will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. It will be closed Mondays.

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A grand opening is set for Oct. 2.

Dan Schere can be reached at daniel.schere@moco360.media

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