CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Five months after celebrating its grand opening, Yummy Tummy, a Mediterranean style, Greek themed restaurant at 7967 Auburn Boulevard in the Grand Oaks shopping center in Citrus Heights, continues to gain a growing customer following.

“My young daughter gave the restaurant its name,” said owner George Abu. She said, “Dad, your food is always yummy, and my tummy loves it.”

Yummy Tummy opened in January for lunch and dinner. The restaurant was previously occupied by a Mexican restaurant, Bella Cocina.

Abu appreciates the support of the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce which helped him celebrate his restaurant’s grand opening, and efforts by the city of Citrus Heights which is continuing to work on the revitalization of Auburn Boulevard.

“It’s a great location,” Abu said. He said he’s hopeful that the new Camp Transformation Center, a gym and fitness coaching center to open next door in early July will also increase restaurant traffic once it opens. Yelp reviews are generally positive, he added.

Abu has installed a new outdoor barbecue grill to cook his seasoned chicken, lamb, and beef outside. He’s hoping prospective customers will pick up the tangy, flavorful scent of his Mediterranean barbecue and give Yummy Tummy a try.

“We use the freshest ingredients possible and put love and care into each and every dish we prepare,” Abu said.

Dinner specials are offered on Saturday evening, with entertainment provided by Bridggett Bess “Badia”, an award-winning Egyptian-style belly dancer.

Popular Mediterranean themed lunches are priced from $11.99 and include seasoned rice, veggies, hummus and sauce, include kabob skewers, garlic chicken, moussaka (grilled eggplant with ground beef), grilled lamb chops, gyros and chicken or beef shawarma. Rotating dinner specials are featured each evening.

“I opened a Mediterranean market and deli on Auburn Boulevard near Garfield Avenue but that soon closed when the state’s pandemic shutdown order largely forced me out of business,” Abu said. With a young family to support, Abu said he wasn’t discouraged, and decided to open a restaurant instead.

Abu also offers customers a choice of single, double, triple or quadruple hamburgers priced from $7.99 which are made from beef, ground fresh daily. A lunch portioned gyro burger, a grilled chicken sandwich and a Philly Cheese Steak are also featured. Vegetarian options are also offered.

“Yummy Tummy also offers eight different varieties of seasoned chicken wings in a choice of either eight, or 16-piece portions,” Abu said. “Customers just love them.”

Chicken wings are seasoned with a variety of Abu’s own original sauces which include barbecue, Louisiana-style, Korean, sweet chili, sweet teriyaki, mango habanero, garlic parmesan and Yummy Tummy’s own lava sauce.

Salads include a traditional Greek, spinach and Caesar in small or large portion sizes and include a side of pita bread and dressing. Seasoned chicken, meat, Gyro or shrimp can be added.

Side dishes priced from $3.99 include freshly made hummus and eggplant dip, and falafel. A six-piece portion of falafel ($4.99) comes with Tahen or Tzatziki sauce and a side of pita bread. A popular favorite, spanokopita, ($4.99) made from spinach, onion, feta cheese in filled pastry dough is also featured.

Western-side side dishes include mozzarella sticks, onion rings and French fries.

Abu, who immigrated to the United States with his family from Bethlehem 20 years ago said he enjoys being a part of the local Citrus Heights community and hopes Yummy Tummy will thrive.

“If you’re craving something uniquely yummy for your tummy, stop by,” he said with a smile.

Yummy Tummy is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., at 7967 Auburn Blvd. Visit https://www.zmenu.com/yummy-tummy-citrus-heights-online-menu/

to view a sample menu.