New Downtown State College Restaurant Offers Authentic Iraqi Dishes

A new restaurant is serving up authentic Iraqi cuisine in downtown State College.

Mosul Grill opened on Friday at 434 E. College Ave., a location last occupied by Jimmy John’s.

Owner Mahmood Alshekhkder is drawing on family tradition and experience running other State College restaurants for Mosul Grill’s halal dishes, which will all be grilled fresh to order, according to the Downtown State College Improvement District.

“We have a very good food culture that we want to share,” Alshekhkder told DSCID. “We want the people of State College to experience a different flavor, classic tastes from the Middle East, and I know they will like it.”

All selections will be made to order with fresh ingredients. Among some of the menu offerings are lahmacun, a thin and crispy Middle Eastern flatbread with savory meat and vegetable toppings and sometimes egg; freshly grilled chicken, beef and lamb; kebabs; biryani; and a deluxe platter. It also featuress pide, gyros, wraps, baba gnoush, dolma, falafel, desserts and much more.

Alshekhkder and his family came to State College from Iraq in 2011. He and his wife have four children, who will be helping to make Mosul Grill a family affair.

The restaurant will also offer catering.

Alshekhkder told StateCollege.com that Mosul Grill’s tentative hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.