The deli opened on Sept. 5, 2004, on Lincoln Avenue, bringing life to a storefront that had sat empty for two years. The shop for many years had been the Willow Glen Kosher Market. Now, deli owner Fawaz Hamed is looking to stir up life inside the eatery.

For the past 1 1/2 years, Hamed's business has had a modest seating area, a tiled floor and bare white walls. Hamed knew he would eventually expand his offerings and decorate the interior.

"Step by step is the best way to do it," he said.

Now he has taken those first steps toward reaching his goal. He has increased the shop's seating area from four to eight tables, allowing indoor refuge for his customers during the winter months. Now customers such as north Willow Glen resident Annette Boyer can enjoy a falafel plate on colorful table linens while chatting with Hamed.

"I like the variety in the menu," Boyer said. "There's really something for everyone."

Beyond the good food, Boyer said the restaurant is a hit with her household because it's casual and family-friendly. It's also a locally owned small business, like many others in downtown Willow Glen.

"You really know the person you're buying it from made it, so it's really homey," Boyer said. "He really puts his heart and soul into it."

He'd like to extend some of that personality by painting the cafe's walls, maybe in shades of purple or green, he said.

"I have to paint and make it a little warm inside with a nice Middle Eastern color," Hamed said.

The coming improvements are all ways to improve the aesthetics of a restaurant whose food has already proven popular with residents. Seven days a week, Casablanca Café serves lunch and dinner dishes from Turkey, Persia, Lebanon, Morocco and Syria. Some favorites include Hamed's hearty soups, sandwiches and kebabs. He would like to install a grill so he can add grilled chicken, fish and steak to the menu.

Hamed frequently runs the business single-handedly.

"I am 10 people," he joked. "You have wonderful people here; they're very patient."

Casablanca Café is located at 1185 Lincoln Avenue and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 408.993.8636.