Local Spotlight

Local Spotlight: Kabab Spot

From falafel to baklava cheesecake, Ismael 'Aladdin' Kananeh, owner of Kabab Spot, brings fresh flavors and community spirit to the heart of Fort Myers, Florida.

Charles Rose

03 Oct 2025 — 5 min read

At HeyNeighbor, we love celebrating small businesses that make their neighborhoods stronger — and tastier. This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Kabab Spot, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant in Fort Myers known for fresh flavors, bold community spirit, and a loyal following that keeps coming back for garlic sauce, baklava cheesecake, and more.

About the Business

What do you do and who do you serve?
My name is Ismael Kananeh, also known as Aladdin, which is the alias everyone knows me by, and I run Kabab Spot. A fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant in Fort Myers that serves everything from lamb gyro to raw juices and baklava cheesecake. We feed people who care about flavor and freshness, whether it’s a gym-goer grabbing a protein bowl, a family out for lunch, or a regular who just wants their garlic sauce fix.

How did you get started, and what inspired you?
It started with the idea of creating something I’d be proud to eat every day — something fresh, flavorful, and not heavy. I bought into the business while I was still young and learning everything hands-on, from the shawarma rotisserie to marketing. What inspired me? Honestly — seeing people’s reactions after their first bite. That hooked me.

What’s your favorite part about running your business in this community?
The regulars. The people who stop in just to say hi. Fort Myers isn’t a massive city, but that’s what makes it beautiful — you get to build real relationships. I know their orders, their families, their stories.

The Local

What makes your business unique in your neighborhood?
We don’t microwave anything. No shortcuts. Our food is vibrant — made fresh, in-house, every day. You walk in and smell the chicken roasting or fresh garlic being blended. We also make our own hibiscus tea and raw juices. Everything is crafted to feel good after you eat it — not like you need a nap.

How do you stay connected with the local community?
Through Instagram, yes — but also just by talking to people. We don’t have a robotic setup. You’ll find me cracking jokes at the register, giving free baklava to someone having a rough day, or asking folks what they’d like to see on the menu. It's a two-way relationship.

Any meaningful local collaborations?
We’ve worked with local gyms and trainers on protein-focused specials. We’ve also collaborated with Sizzle Dining, local tattoo artists, and have two murals painted inside our location by local muralists. Additionally, we've hosted car shows, DJ’s, small local businesses, and women’s empowerment groups. Yes, we’ve been busy, haha. I believe in community cross-promotion and helping each other grow.

Challenges & Wins

What’s been one of your biggest challenges?
Expanding without losing the soul of the brand. I want to grow, but not in a way that waters down what makes Kabab Spot special. We are unorthodox on purpose.

A moment or milestone you’re proud of?
The day we hit 5 million views on an Instagram reel. That moment reminded me that even a small kitchen in Fort Myers can reach the world if you tell your story right.

Marketing & Growth

How have you used local advertising like HeyNeighbor?
Getting in front of local eyes is gold. A platform like HeyNeighbor makes it easier to connect to the folks in our area — and that’s more valuable than likes from people 3,000 miles away.

Marketing tip for other small business owners?
Don’t overthink it — just show people what you’re actually doing. Real footage. Real food. Real faces. Consistency wins over perfection.

Just for Fun

Go-to lunch or coffee spot?
I’m usually in the kitchen, but when I sneak away — Pho 99 I love you.

If your business had a theme song?
“Started From the Bottom” by Drake — not even being dramatic. Every day we’re building from the ground up.

Funny story with a customer?
A customer once brought a parrot into our location… yes, a real-life parrot. Let’s just say he wasn’t too happy seeing his bird cousin Chicken Kabab on the grill.

Looking Ahead

What’s next?
We’re exploring a new concept: lean, quick-service build-your-own bowls in another part of town. Same flavor, faster format. We’re also thinking about bottling our garlic sauce for retail.

How can people support you right now?
Come through. Bring a friend. Tag us. @_spotofficial on Instagram. Tell someone about the Chai tea or the Baklava Cheesecake. Local businesses don’t need huge investments — they need loyal neighbors.

About Kabab Spot

📍 Location: 4805 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33907
🍴 Specialties: Mediterranean bowls, gyros, raw juices, baklava cheesecake, house-made hibiscus tea
📲 Follow: Instagram @_spotofficial

Why We Featured Kabab Spot

Local businesses like Kabab Spot are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods — creating not just meals, but memories, relationships, and culture. At HeyNeighbor, we believe the best way to grow is together.

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