"Whenever we go to war with a country, we bring back the food," says Crisantos Hajibrahim, a retired lance corporal, in a Wall Street Journal article by Tamara Audi (3/15/10). So much so that Crisantos and his wife, Denise Hazime, are now running "Dede Med's Shawarma House -- the first Arabic food stand -- " at Camp Pendleton, California. The idea was Denise's, and the couple are enjoying a "lucrative market" on the base, "which has a daytime population of 60,000 hungry Marines and civilians."

Lane Jones, the communications director, explains: "They're deploying to that part of the world and they're developing a taste for that kind of product." Indeed, "more than two million military service members have been deployed to the Middle East" since 2001. "... Those sent to villages and neighborhoods quickly learn about lamb, flat bread and the ubiquitous chickpea ... shared meals are often a key part of forming bonds and winning trust."

When Denise contacted the base about an Arabic food stand she already had an online following, at Dede's Mediterranean Kitchen featuring recipes and cooking videos (link). She admits to some trepidation opening her stand after a Muslim pyschiatrist "allegedly killed 12 in a shooting rampage" at Fort Hood in Texas. However, as Denise notes, "This is not about war. This is not about politics. This is about shawarma ... And falafel." Alexander Harris, back from Afghanistan, agrees. "I love the shawarma," he says. "I'm glad we finally have it here," adding, "Now this is exciting."