Sabah's House Opened in Burlington Kiosk
Local entrepreneur Mustafa Khudaier reopened the city-owned kiosk in June.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Mustafa Khudaier reopened the 135-square-foot city-owned kiosk as Sabah's House at the corner of Church and College streets in late June 2026. The business specializes in chicken shawarma and falafel prepared in an off-site kitchen.
Why it matters
The kiosk represents a new permanent venture for the family-run business, which successfully transitioned from a food cart at the same location to a competitive leaseholder. It serves as a visible anchor for local downtown dining after gaining a following through prior catering operations.
The menu features chicken shawarma wraps for $14 and falafel plates for $15. Other offerings include loaded fries for $15 and a selection of coffee and matcha drinks priced between $5 and $7.
The players
Mustafa Khudaier
The 19-year-old business owner operates Sabah's House and previously ran a food cart at the same downtown intersection.
Sabah Abbas
The founder of the original catering business established in 2019 who now collaborates on the kiosk operations.
The details
The signature shawarma wrap features marinated chicken, French fries, pickles, and garlic mayo encased in griddle-crisped pita. Falafel balls are crafted from chickpeas that undergo a 24-hour soaking process before daily preparation at an off-site facility.
Timeline
The family moved to Vermont in 2014.
Sabah Abbas launched a catering business in 2019.
Khudaier operated a food cart at the site from 2024 to 2026.
The kiosk reopened in June 2026.
Market Landscape
The transition from mobile food cart to permanent kiosk reflects the evolution of local vendors seeking stable retail footprints in high-traffic downtown corridors. This shift demonstrates how small businesses leverage competitive lease processes to secure long-term viability against rival food stalls.
Downtown diners can now access the established catering menu through a permanent retail location at a central street corner. The fixed kiosk provides consistent availability for menu staples like shawarma and falafel compared to the previous mobile cart model.
The takeaway
The successful transition of this small business underscores the potential for mobile food vendors to secure permanent locations through competitive municipal processes. Residents can support local growth by patronizing these long-term kiosks that replace temporary cart setups.
Further reading
Learn more about new local commerce in our Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Seven Days.
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