Mediterranean Cafe Zaytun opens in former Big Skillet location in Elgin

The new restaurant is owned by the former owner of Larsa's Mediterranean street food business.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 6:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Cafe Zaytun, a new Mediterranean restaurant, has opened in the former Big Skillet location in Elgin, Illinois. The restaurant is owned by Sargon Boudakh, who previously operated the Larsa's Mediterranean street food business for over 20 years. Cafe Zaytun features a menu of Mediterranean favorites like falafel, gyros, and shawarma, as well as dishes reflecting the Assyrian roots of Boudakh and chef/manager Hilana Yousef, who also worked at Larsa's. The new restaurant has a casual yet upscale vibe and competitive pricing, with nothing on the menu over $25.

Why it matters

The opening of Cafe Zaytun fills a vacant restaurant space in Elgin's Tyler Creek Plaza and brings a new Mediterranean dining option to the area. As a locally-owned business with deep roots in the community, Cafe Zaytun represents the continued vitality of small, independent restaurants in the face of growing competition from larger chains.

The details

Cafe Zaytun is located in the former Big Skillet restaurant space and features a stone oven imported from Lebanon. The restaurant is managed by Nick Kinton, who previously worked at Star Cinema Grill and Moretti's, and many of the former Larsa's staff are now employed at Cafe Zaytun. The restaurant offers a variety of Mediterranean dishes, including falafel, gyros, kabobs, and shawarma, as well as Assyrian-inspired items like a Mediterranean-seasoned beef burger and an Assyrian-style meatloaf. Cafe Zaytun also serves olive oil-infused cocktails and flatbreads baked in the imported stone oven.

  • Larsa's operated as a ghost kitchen inside Big Skillet for the last three years.
  • Big Skillet closed in December 2025 so the space could be remodeled into Cafe Zaytun.
  • Cafe Zaytun opened on March 7, 2026.

The players

Sargon Boudakh

The owner of Cafe Zaytun who previously operated the Larsa's Mediterranean street food business for over 20 years.

Hilana Yousef

The chef and manager of Cafe Zaytun who worked at Larsa's for 25 years.

Nick Kinton

The manager of Cafe Zaytun who previously worked at Star Cinema Grill and Moretti's.

George Arsoniadis

The former owner of the Big Skillet restaurant, which closed to make way for Cafe Zaytun.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're casual dining and a bit upscale, too, but with competitive pricing. Nothing on our menu is more than $25. That (highest priced item) is a 12-ounce sumac and red wine glazed short rib.”

— Nick Kinton, Cafe Manager

“The kitchen here's so huge.”

— Hilana Yousef, Chef and Manager

What’s next

Cafe Zaytun plans to continue expanding its catering, carryout, delivery, and private event rental services to meet growing demand.

The takeaway

The opening of Cafe Zaytun in the former Big Skillet location represents the resilience of locally-owned, independent restaurants in the face of industry challenges. By building on the success of the previous Larsa's business and offering a unique Mediterranean dining experience, Cafe Zaytun is poised to become a new community staple in Elgin.