New Greek food eatery opens in Citrus Heights shopping plaza

By Mike Hazlip—
A new American and Greek food restaurant opened earlier this month in the Grand Oaks shopping center, taking up a space formerly home to a Mexican restaurant.

The restaurant, Yummy Tummy, has been open for business about 10 days as part of a soft opening, but a larger grand opening is being planned for January, according to owner George Abu.

Yummy Tummy offers traditional Mediterranean food such as gyros, kabobs, and falafel along with some more Western fare like hamburgers and chicken wings. Smoothies are planned to be added to the menu in coming months.

Food is made daily at the restaurant, according to Abu, and his 11-year-old son helps with the family business.

Abu said he opened a Mediterranean market and deli on Auburn Boulevard near Garfield Avenue last year, but he said pandemic shutdown orders forced him out of business. “I lost everything,” he said.

But with a family to care for, Abu decided to start another business.

“When you have five kids and you know you are responsible for those,” he said. “It’s not their problem, you have to fight, you have to do something for them.”

Now, the 50-year-old businessman is focused on developing his new endeavor in Citrus Heights. He says he’s open to catering small parties and plans to have an outdoor BBQ during the summer months.

Originally thinking to open a banquet hall, he decided to open a restaurant when the Grand Oaks location became available. The space at 7967 Auburn Blvd. was previously occupied for a short time by the Mexican restaurant, Bella Cocina.

Abu immigrated to the United States from Bethlehem two decades ago when his oldest daughter was just a year old, and his second child had recently been born. His wife and daughters planned to stay behind until their documentation was approved, but the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, delayed their plans to reunite in the United States.

His family was finally able to join him in 2003.

“It was a hard process,” he said. “It’s not easy, even after they gave me papers.”

Despite the difficulties, the entrepreneur is grateful to be able to raise his family in the United States.

“When I say God bless America, I say it from my heart,” he said. “To let me have the chances for me, for my wife, my kids education, good medication, everything. This is not for you or for me, this is for everybody.”

Yummy Tummy is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., at 7967 Auburn Blvd.