When Armenian born, Syrian raised Sousanna Alexander couldn’t find her favorite sandwich she grew up eating along the Mediterranean—a sujok sandwich with delicious spicy sausage tomatoes, pickles pressed in Mahdnakash bread—anywhere in Orange County, she fixed that problem.
“I thought, 'Why don’t I just open a tasty place with a cozy feeling and great food?' ” Sousanna recalled.
Last month she opened Zeytoon in Laguna Beach, a tiny deli and market that serves her favorite sujok sandwich along with about nine other grilled flatbread sandwiches that we can’t get enough of.
Sousanna is an interior designer by trade, but she knows great Mediterranean foods and she’s bringing those flavors to Laguna Beach via Zeytoon’s chef, Sri Lankan born Brazil Uluwita who grills turkey panini, manaeesh (an oregano thyme spread with olive oil on flatbread); Zeytoon’s signature flatbread with green olives, herb, light mozzarella, red and green peppers, tomatoes; toshka (pictured above) marinated ground beef spread and pressed in a pita bread.
Zeytoon means peace and prosperity to everyone throughout the world, which is a lovely sentiment. But selfishly we’re just happy that Sousanna couldn’t find her favorite sandwich.
Zeytoon also imports Italian desserts, hard to find Danesi gourmet coffee for espresso and lattes, and has a deli section for hummus, chips, and gourmet sodas to go.
Open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 412 North Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. 949.715.9230.
Ben is Here!
Don’t miss "Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World" at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. You only have until Sunday, March 13 to take a trip down Ben Franklin’s memory lane, on display are 75 artifacts ranging from his rebellious teen years in Boston (we shudder to think what would be displayed from our teen years) to his years of service to the colonies and the nascent United States. His contributions and achievements in science, inventions, and philanthropy and as entrepreneur are awe-inspiring. Kids should love the hands-on and interactive activities and animations.
Prices range from $14 to $16.
Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday to Sunday. Closed Monday.
2002 N. Main St. in Santa Ana. 714.567.3600.
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from the blog
- 03.03.25 – Book Club at Balboa Island Museum Featuring Born in OC
- 03.02.25 – The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill Now Open in Irvine
- 03.02.25 – Gem Studio Now Open at Irvine Spectrum Center
- 03.02.25 – Preserve Your Flowers in a Unique Way at Maivie
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- 02.23.25 – An Evening with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poet Tracy K. Smith at Segerstrom Center
- 02.19.25 – Christine Brennan to Speak at 27th Witte Lectures
- 02.18.25 – Napa in Newport: An Evening of Fine Wine, Dining, and Giving
- 02.13.25 – Alicia Pet Care Center’s 10th Annual Free Spay & Neuter Day
- 02.12.25 – Relax, Recharge, and Rejuvenate at 128 Luxury Health Spa
- 02.12.25 – Celebrate Romance in Temecula This February and Beyond
- 02.11.25 – Valentine’s Weekend at Triangle Square: Dining, Dancing & Celebration
- 02.07.25 – Big Changes Underway at Eclectic LAB Anti-Mall
- 02.07.25 – Oscar Night Cinema Series at The Lido Theater
- 02.07.25 – FASHIONISTAS 2025: Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA)
- 02.05.25 – Women’s Wellness Retreat
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- 02.02.25 – Love & Art: An Afternoon of Chocolate, Wine, and Creativity
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