In the heart of Quincy, a remarkable culinary journey unfolds at Casba Food and Pastries, where the rich, authentic flavors of the Mediterranean and Middle East come alive. This establishment is the culmination of a lifelong passion and deep-rooted family traditions, brought to life by Fatiha Soufan, a Moroccan immigrant whose culinary artistry began in her childhood kitchen.

From Moroccan Kitchens to American Shores: A Chef’s Enduring Passion

Fatiha Soufan’s story is one of dedication to heritage and the art of cooking. Growing up in Morocco, she fondly recalls spending school vacations immersed in the kitchen, mastering recipes from French cooking magazines alongside her aunt, who cooked for events. “I come from a big family, and my aunt, after she lost her husband, she started cooking for events and I helped,” Soufan shared. “I loved it from a young age.”

Her inherent talent and love for cooking continued to flourish after she arrived in the United States in 1990. While pursuing her studies, she honed her skills in various kitchens, never losing sight of her culinary aspirations. Though her initial plan was to teach English back home, destiny, and a Lebanese husband, charted a new course, firmly planting her roots in the U.S. As a devoted mother, she nurtured her family while assisting her husband in their businesses, yet the call of the kitchen remained strong, eventually leading her back to formal culinary education.

Casba: A Fortress of Flavor Built on Authenticity and Family

With a blend of formal training and decades of heartfelt experience, Soufan proudly opened Casba Food and Pastries in Quincy in 2023. The name ‘Casba,’ derived from the Arabic word for a fortress or stronghold, perfectly encapsulates the establishment’s commitment to preserving and celebrating authentic culinary traditions. The menu is a harmonious fusion of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, featuring beloved dishes such as savory shawarma, succulent grilled kebabs, an array of fresh dips, aromatic rice plates, and exquisite handcrafted pastries.

What truly sets Casba apart is its unwavering dedication to authenticity: every single item is made from scratch, utilizing genuine spices and the freshest ingredients. This commitment to traditional preparation ensures a taste that is both wholesome and deeply satisfying.

From Farmers Markets to a Beloved Community Eatery

Soufan’s journey to opening Casba began modestly but with great vision. In 2016, while concluding her studies in international cuisine, she started selling homemade cookies at the Marshfield Farmers Market. Soon, her offerings expanded to include traditional Moroccan and Lebanese delicacies like tabbouleh, marinated olives, and preserved lemons, quickly gaining a loyal following. Her presence became a staple at farmers markets across Marshfield, Lexington, and Boston, with customers consistently raving about new additions like sfeeha, an open-faced pie filled with spiced minced meat.

The overwhelming demand, particularly for winter availability, sparked the idea for a permanent restaurant. “So many customers would say, ‘Where can I find you in the winter?’ So, we started thinking about a restaurant,” Soufan recounted. Quincy, with its central location accessible to both Boston and the South Shore communities, proved to be the ideal home for Casba.

A True Scratch Kitchen: The Essence of Casba

At Casba, the promise of a true scratch kitchen is not merely a slogan; it is a way of life. Fatiha Soufan and her family meticulously prepare everything by hand, even grinding many of their own spices to ensure unparalleled freshness and flavor. “We do everything how we learned it from our parents and grandparents,” she emphasized, highlighting the intergenerational wisdom infused into every dish.

Further enhancing their commitment to authenticity, the family produces its own Lebanese Baladi, or “native,” extra virgin olive oil under the brand Zaytouna Bay. This pristine, organic, and cold-pressed oil, sourced from their family farm in Lebanon, is a cornerstone of many Casba dishes and is also available for purchase, allowing patrons to bring a piece of this rich heritage into their own homes.

Wholesome, Halal, and Healthy Delights

Casba’s menu boasts a variety of popular dishes that exemplify its culinary excellence, including the exquisite Moroccan lamb with slow-cooked apricots and prunes, flavorful couscous with chicken, and the robust beef shish kabob plate. The offerings extend to fresh salads, wholesome sandwiches like falafel and shawarma wraps, homemade dips, and traditional desserts such as baklava.

A crucial aspect of Casba’s philosophy is its dedication to providing halal meat, sourced exclusively from a certified halal butcher. This means the meat is prepared strictly according to Islamic dietary laws, ensuring not only ethical treatment of animals but also a product that is free from unnecessary additives and fully bled, contributing to its purity and health benefits. Soufan proudly states that the food at Casba is not only delicious and fresh but also inherently healthy.

“It’s light and doesn’t have anything outside of what it needs,” she explained. “When you eat a big dish, you don’t have that crash at the end of the day because it has nothing artificial.” This commitment to natural, wholesome ingredients ensures a dining experience that nourishes both body and soul.