Today we’d like to introduce you to Varak Sossikian.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Varak. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Established in 1984, Father Nature’s Cafe was started by my parents Armen and Salpy Sossikian in Tarzana, CA; bringing delicious and healthy Mediterranean food to San Fernando Valley. Since 1995, we re-located to Pasadena, CA and are now called Father Nature Lavash Wraps. I, personally have grown up in this business watching how things get handled by my folks. Being around it all the time was my future training because one day I would be the one to lead by example. In 2010, I decided to direct my energy toward finishing college; so I stepped away from the kitchen to focus on my degree. Once I was graduated, I was ready to focus on Father Nature Lavash Wraps and run it the way it was meant to be run. Now, my wife Marine and I are the second-generation owners and have managed to breathe new life into this restaurant. From the decor to the decadent flavors, we have brought only improvements to an already great concept.
Our commitment to quality, and flavorful food has never changed. We are still serving some of the Best Mediterranean Food around! Throughout the years, we have won several awards; including the most recent three awards two years in a row for Best Mediterranean Restaurant and Small Business in Pasadena for 2015 & 2016! We started off as a Family Owned and operated Business and will remain Family Owned to maintain the level of quality only we know how to maintain! After 8 long months of construction, we are back and planning on re-opening in February/March 2017 with a whole new renovated look! We look forward to serving our many regular customers as well as the many potential first-timers along the way!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has not been easy; as the recent “closing for construction” has proven. Having such a great presence in Old Town Pasadena, and having to tell our customers we were temporarily closing for at least 4 months was not easy. We would have loved to be available for our loyal customers whenever they needed us; but this would be a great obstacle. Closing just before summer 2016 was difficult to adjust to since it was usually such a busy season for us; the important thing now is we are returning and will be ready to serve and provide delicious food as usual! We have been around for 33 years serving some the Best Mediterranean Food! The perseverance and resilience we have shown to once again remain open in Pasadena proves why we will be here for at least another 30!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Father Nature Lavash Wraps – what should we know?
Father Nature Lavash Wraps is a quick-serve place to grab healthy wraps, plates, salads or sides; and now even Breakfast! Our Mediterranean flavors and specialized ingredients add to the quality of our food items. Our customers are the people of Old Town Pasadena, office workers in the area, businesses, schools, hospitals and corporate centers who order from us in small as well as very large quantities. We are known to provide caterings and special event accommodations to office buildings and centers all over LA County. We cater to very reputable companies at least several times a month; with large quantities of 300 plus people. The quality and tastiness of Father Nature Lavash Wraps does not decrease with increased quantity! Another great thing about our menu are the many Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free options we offer our customers. This makes it easy to order for the many preferences and tastes from a wide variety of people. Kaiser has approached us to provide their hospital with healthy catering several times a month (we are on their list of approved vendors). We catered to Kaiser Kids Fest for healthy eating in spring 2016. We are featured in Pasadena Melting Pot Food Tours. We have won awards for Best of Pasadena Mediterranean Restaurant for 2015 and 2016 and Best of Pasadena Mediterranean Small Business Excellence Award for 2016.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My wife, Marine Sossikian, has dedicated so much of her God-given talents in our kitchen as well as her positive and upbeat personality with our customers and catering clients! We could not have done the things we have done with Father Nature Lavash Wraps without each other’s support, hard work and dedication. We are the second generation owners of Father Nature and plan on making it a legacy of third and fourth generations! Our loyal and enthusiastic customer base has also played a great role in our success! The Word-of-Mouth marketing approach we have embraced for years would not be as effective as it has, without our supportive customers, friends, and clients! Our loyal, hard-working employees have been with us for an average of 15 years each. We appreciate such commitment and realize how valuable it can be to the success of our business. They deserve great credit in our success!
Pricing:
- Falafel Wrap (Vegan) $7.75
- Chicken Shawerma Wrap $8.75
- Grilled Chicken Wrap $8.75
- Angus Beef Steak Shawerma Wrap $10.75
- Grilled Veggie Plate (Vegan) $10.75
- French Connection Baguette Press (Vegerarian) $8.75
- Grilled Atlantic Salmon Fillet Salad (Gluten-Free) $12.25
Contact Info:
- Address: 17 North De Lacey Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103 - Website: fathernaturelavashwraps.weebly.com
- Phone: 626-568-9811; Catering: 818-427-1130
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: fathernature_since1984
- Facebook: Father Nature Cafe
- Twitter: Father Nature Wraps
- Yelp: Father Nature Lavash Wraps
Image Credit:
Falafel Appetizers (Vegan), Vegan Baklava & Raspberry Pavlova; Corporate Lunch (Serving 300 hungry people), Kaiser Kids Fest for Healthy Eating 2016; Tabbouleh (Vegan), Grilled Chicken Wraps; 2015 and 2016 Best of Pasadena Awards.
