In news that has conjured up the most conflicting emotions within the depths of my being, El Jannah is coming to Newtown. The Western Sydney Lebanese charcoal chicken kingdom will be foraying into the latte belt for the first time ever.
The King Street dwelling will be El Jannah’s first “express” store. Joining the ranks of El Jannah’s Granville, Punchbowl, Blacktown, Penrith and recently, Kogarah locations.
Business development manager Tony Nahas revealed to Business Insider that they are constantly berated with requests from people who live “closer to the eastern suburbs” to bring the chain towards the city centre. A sentiment that has caused my blood pressure to spike.
As someone who currently resides in the eastern suburbs, this news should probably thrill me. There is, however, something inexplicably irksome about the entire situation.
The thought of smug North Shore gronks who think that because they moved to Newtown and don an ironic pair of Nike TNs that they’re down with the culture — even though they’ve never ventured further west than Strathfield — indulging in those heavenly pink pickles makes me want to ram my head through a brick wall.
El Jannah is no secret, but it’s a common ground between those from The West. It has acted as an icebreaker in the most stilted conversations. I have bonded with people I have nought in common with over the divine brew that is their garlic sauce. It’s a thread in Westie DNA.
I can’t deny that having the option to UberEats a falafel platter to the comfort of my home does induce salivation, but what is a meal at El Jannah without the romance of jumping on the western line?
https://twitter.com/793dcold/status/1174257936018944000
El Jannah in Newtown? Nothings sacred anymore
— $tupid Nguyen (@n0dramas) September 18, 2019
An El Jannah in Newtown. In my lifetime.
— Johnny Lieu (@Johnny_Lieu) September 19, 2019
https://twitter.com/redrabbleroz/status/1174458368183787520
