Remo's Café

The hieroglyphics, monuments, architecture, and historical mentions of mummification and afterlife beliefs continue to fascinate the world when it comes to Egyptian culture. Their historical contributions may have been complex, but their food has always been and remains to be dishes of elegant simplicity.

Simple Ingredients, Amazing Flavors

"I want people to know how simple the food can be and still be tasty," said Riham Dardeer, a native of Egypt and owner of a new restaurant, Remo's Cafe. "You don't have to use all these packages and all these spices, that we don't know what's inside. I can do dishes with very simple ingredients like salt, pepper, chicken, onions, and bell peppers, and it's amazing, healthy, and nutritious. At the same time, it still smells good and tastes good. You feel happy."

A Tribute to Family and Heritage

Except for her new husband, Steve Meador, Dardeer has no family in the United States. Remo is the nickname used by her father and family back home. Naming her new downtown Jackson restaurant Remo's Cafe and serving Egyptian food from her homeland is her way of honoring them, spreading the culture, and comforting her longing connection to her birthplace.

Fresh, From-Scratch Cooking

"I cook everything from scratch, and I use fresh ingredients," Dardeer, whose cafe is located in The Heritage Building on the corner of Capitol and Congress streets. "I make vegetables, stews, and traditional Egyptian dishes. I do calzones and Egyptian salad."

Aromatic Menu and Signature Beverages

The menu at Remo's Cafe includes salads, soups, and specials. All of which Dardeer uses simple classic ingredients, such as coriander, cumin, and chili pepper. The cafe is aromatic, filled with the smells of comfort dining and teas and coffees, commonly consumed in foreign countries. It wouldn't be Remo's without hot Turkish coffee, cinnamon chai latte, and guava leaves chai. For patrons seeking a cooler beverage, there's sweet hibiscus tea. Need something a little colder? Real fruit and vegetable smoothies are made to order from the selected menu options.

"The variety of teas we offer is different and beautiful," said Dardeer, a graduate of Alexandria University in Alexandria, Egypt, and the University of Mississippi. "I brew all the teas and coffees myself. My signature drink is the hibiscus tea. It is amazing."

Balancing Teaching and Restaurant Life

Dardeer is doing dual roles as restaurant owner and ELS (English as a Second Language) teacher at Callaway High School. She made it to the United States in 2019, first teaching in Pennsylvania before getting her Master of Arts degree in Applied Linguistics at Ole Miss. Teaching brings her an unmatched joy, but her recipes from home bring her familiar comfort.

Bringing People Together Through Food

"I love people so much, and I love to feed everyone and entertain," said Dardeer. "Jackson is so beautiful. I want more people to come and enjoy it and see what we get to see."