New Egyptian restaurant Cairo coming to Ballard

Ballard is about to gain a new Egyptian restaurant at 5465 Leary Ave NW.

Signs have popped up in the windows at the former Strega Pizzeria, which closed in May after two years in Ballard.

“Egypt is coming to Ballard,” one sign reads, saying it will serve Egyptian food and cocktails and stay open late. It also says the first 100 guests will receive a free hawawshi, which is a pita or flatbread stuffed with spiced minced beef or lamb.

Cairo has a sign-up form if you want to get in on the opening celebrations, though it’s not yet clear when they’ll open their doors.

Former Strega owners Sara and Sam Lucchese still run the popular Pasteria Lucchese, which is a staple at the Ballard Farmers Market. The Luccheses also recently suffered a fire in their Ballard home, after which the community raised $71k in a GoFundMe to help them rebuild.

Thanks to Geri Silver for the photo and tip!