North Florida

Moroccan and Mediterranean Flavors Arrive in Jacksonville

EZ Eatz by Yaya is now in a soft opening phase and plans a grand opening next week in Five Points.

Image from EZ Eatz by Yaya on Facebook

JACKSONVILLE, FL — EZ Eatz by Yaya is now in a soft opening phase at 1023 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204, bringing Moroccan and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine to the Five Points area. Owner Yahia “Yaya” Zrikem told Business Debut the restaurant quietly opened this week, with a grand opening planned for sometime next week.

What to Expect

EZ Eatz by Yaya operates as a fast-casual restaurant with a hybrid service style. Guests order at the counter, then dine in while food is brought to the table, with staff checking in throughout the meal. The space includes indoor seating and a patio, totaling roughly 120 to 130 seats combined.

The concept centers on Moroccan and North African flavors presented in an approachable way for a broad audience. Zrikem said the menu blends traditional Moroccan dishes with familiar Mediterranean items, introducing guests to new flavors without straying too far from what many already know.

The menu focuses on made-from-scratch dishes using a wide range of spices intended for depth of flavor rather than heat. Zrikem told Business Debut that cumin, cloves, allspice and house-blended Moroccan spices are staples in the kitchen, along with preserved lemons that are cured in-house for several months.

Offerings include charcoal-grilled platters cooked over an open flame, slow-cooked tagines prepared for hours until the meat becomes tender, and traditional Moroccan dishes such as couscous. The menu also features msemen, a Moroccan flatbread, served in both savory and sweet preparations, including versions filled with cheese or finished with honey butter, almond butter or pistachio cream.

Several tagines lean into the balance of sweet and savory common in Moroccan cooking, pairing meats like beef short rib with plums, raisins or nuts. Vegan options are also available, and many dishes are designed to be lighter and health-focused.
“If it’s not good, it won’t be on the menu,” Zrikem told Business Debut, adding that every dish reflects his personal taste and background.

Ownership and Background

Zrikem, who goes by Yaya, is originally from Morocco and moved to the United States in 2005. Before opening EZ Eatz by Yaya, he worked as a district and market chef for several restaurant groups in the Jacksonville area. The concept began as a food truck in 2020, followed by a first brick-and-mortar location in 2023.

Opening Timeline

The restaurant is currently in a soft opening throughout this week. Zrikem said the team is targeting a grand opening sometime next week, once staff and operations are fully settled.