The camel rider or desert rider is a type of sandwich that is popular in Jacksonville, Florida. [1] [2] The sandwich is usually made with lunch meats, Italian dressing, and pita bread. [1] [2] It is often served with tabbouleh and cherry limeade. [1] [3] [4]
The camel rider is a product of Arab immigrants who first settled in the Jacksonville area in the 1890s. [1] [2] Since then, Jacksonville has had a large Middle Eastern population. [3] [5] It became popular in Jacksonville in the 1960s. [2] The Arab immigrants would have grocery stores in predominantly African-American neighborhoods where they would sell the dish. [4] Although the exact origins are unclear, it is often traced to Joe Assi, a Lebanese-born baker, who owned the Gold Room restaurant where he served the dish. [2] In the 1970s, it continued to grow in popularity and was served in restaurants like The Sheik, Desert Rider, and Pinegrove Market & Deli. [2] During the early years of its popularity, pita bread was considered a novelty locally. [6] Some locals refer to the pita bread as Arabic bread or Syrian bread as a nod to the origins of some of the bakers. [1]
The name camel rider was initially pejorative but has since been accepted by the Arabic producers and local consumers. [4] Nevertheless, some have avoided the term or created variations, such as the shrimp rider, veggie rider, and steak-in-a-sack. [1] [2] [7] One popular breakfast variation served at The Sheik is pita stuffed with eggs and sausage and served with grits. [4] It can be found in other parts of the country such as Columbus, Georgia or Birmingham, Alabama, but remains most readily available in Jacksonville. [1] [2] More than 50 restaurants in Jacksonville serve the dish. [1] [2]
The camel rider or desert rider is a type of sandwich that is popular in Jacksonville, Florida. [1] [2] The sandwich is usually made with lunch meats, Italian dressing, and pita bread. [1] [2] It is often served with tabbouleh and cherry limeade. [1] [3] [4]
The camel rider is a product of Arab immigrants who first settled in the Jacksonville area in the 1890s. [1] [2] Since then, Jacksonville has had a large Middle Eastern population. [3] [5] It became popular in Jacksonville in the 1960s. [2] The Arab immigrants would have grocery stores in predominantly African-American neighborhoods where they would sell the dish. [4] Although the exact origins are unclear, it is often traced to Joe Assi, a Lebanese-born baker, who owned the Gold Room restaurant where he served the dish. [2] In the 1970s, it continued to grow in popularity and was served in restaurants like The Sheik, Desert Rider, and Pinegrove Market & Deli. [2] During the early years of its popularity, pita bread was considered a novelty locally. [6] Some locals refer to the pita bread as Arabic bread or Syrian bread as a nod to the origins of some of the bakers. [1]
The name camel rider was initially pejorative but has since been accepted by the Arabic producers and local consumers. [4] Nevertheless, some have avoided the term or created variations, such as the shrimp rider, veggie rider, and steak-in-a-sack. [1] [2] [7] One popular breakfast variation served at The Sheik is pita stuffed with eggs and sausage and served with grits. [4] It can be found in other parts of the country such as Columbus, Georgia or Birmingham, Alabama, but remains most readily available in Jacksonville. [1] [2] More than 50 restaurants in Jacksonville serve the dish. [1] [2]