Kauser News Agency reached out to the owner of Etihad Market Restaurant about a post circulating on social media that accused the restaurant of failing to adhere to cleanliness and hygiene standards. The post, originally shared on the Afghan Community in Sacramento, California Facebook page, claimed that Etihad Market Restaurant was inspected by the county and flagged for not complying with regulations the restaurant owner strongly disputes these claims.
The owner of Etihad Market Restaurant clarified that the restaurant strictly follows California OSHA and food safety policies. He acknowledged minor issues highlighted by the inspection but noted that these are common problems faced by many establishments in the United States. “We are grateful for the Sacramento Food Inspection Department for enforcing the law uniformly,” the owner said, emphasizing that the social media post exaggerated the issue and mistranslated the government’s findings.
The owner also pointed out that the Facebook post has unfairly targeted his business, portraying it in a negative light to the Afghan community. He believes this incident has escalated into a matter of nationalism and stated his intention to handle the issue legally with the help of the restaurant’s lawyer. “We have Afghan and American customers, and many of the American patrons have left positive reviews on Yelp,” the owner added.
A regular customer of Etihad Market Restaurant, Matt G., shared his experience, expressing overall satisfaction with the restaurant’s service and food, despite minor preferences. He mentioned the friendly and honest behavior of the staff and described his meal, although noting that the dish be improved. Another customer, John H., praised the authenticity and warmth of the restaurant, highlighting the flavorful dishes and personal touch offered by the owner.
Besides Etihad Market Restaurant, Dunya Restaurant has also been targeted by the same Facebook page. The owner, Mr. Watan Dost, addressed similar concerns, stating that the page mistranslated government inspection documents into Farsi, creating confusion within the community. “I bought this restaurant two months ago and renamed it from Kabul Fish and Chips to Dunya Restaurant,” Mr. Watan Dost explaining that the inspection report found no major issues.
Mr. Watan Dost believes that the negative attention be linked to a recent incident in which he declined to sponsor a local Afghan support team. “When I refused, they started to harm my business reputation,” he claimed.
Kauser News Agency has conducted a week-long investigation into the Afghan business community in Sacramento and has uncovered several worrisome issues. More detailed reports and stories from Afghan immigrants and business owners will be released soon. This investigation aims to deliver clarity and guarantee that facts are accurately represented to the public.
