The Middle East Restaurant
For nearly 40 years, the nexus of the Philadelphia belly dance community was the Middle East Restaurant, first located at 10th and Ellsworth Streets (South Philadelphia), and later at Chestnut Street (Old City). The restaurant was opened in 1959 by Lebanese immigrants and brothers Edmond and Jimmy Tayoun. Jimmy Tayoun would later enter local politics and become a City Councilman. The restaurant featured live music and dancers on weekends and was regarded as neighborhood institution until its closing in 1997.
The restaurant was an important institution for Philadelphia dancers who not only performed there, but also held events such as belly dance conventions and participated in its annual Lebanese Festival.
The restaurant was an important institution for Philadelphia dancers who not only performed there, but also held events such as belly dance conventions and participated in its annual Lebanese Festival.
"Not a day goes by, honestly, without someone approaching me and commenting how much my father and uncle did, or asking, 'When you gonna open another place?' Our heritage and legacy is something we take great pride in and strive to continue." --Joe Tayoun (2013)