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A new bar and grill opened Sept. 1 in the former space of The Office Bar & Grill, a San Carlos staple for 14 years until it closed in March 2025.
Created by husband and wife Zaki Massis and Btool Nazerial, Zac’s Bar & Grill offers casual bar bites such as wings and jalapeno poppers, heartier mains including steak and pastas, and a variety of sandwiches and burgers. A full bar is available, with 16 beers on tap both inside and outside. The space seats about 90 inside and 100 on the outdoor patio.
“My (wife) and I were always interested in opening a business, and we love food,” Massis said.
A Belmont resident, Massis has lived in the Bay Area for 14 years and was the business operations manager at Waterfront Restaurant in Foster City.
“I love this area, I love the neighborhood, the weather is amazing, people are so friendly, people are so welcoming,” he said.
Zac’s offers five signature cocktails, including a twist on a cosmopolitan, an espresso martini with chocolate bitters and a prickly pear margarita ($14-$16). The draft list is composed of popular beers such as Stella Artois, Modelo Especial and Firestone 805 ($8-$10).
Massis’ favorite appetizers are the potato skins (loaded with melted cheese, bacon, sour cream and green onions) and the calamari fritti (served with tartar sauce). Appetizers are priced at $13-$19, with a sampler platter available for $26.
From the sandwiches, Massis is partial to the Zac’s Burger, featuring a brisket and Angus beef patty topped with American cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, red onions and aioli on a brioche bun and served with a side of fries ($22). He also recommends the Philly cheesesteak, made with thinly shaved rib-eye steak, sauteed bell peppers and onion and melted provolone on a sweet roll and served with a side of fries ($21).
Massis said he hopes to use Zac’s to help fundraise for school programs, host trivia nights and eventually even host karaoke.
“We love people. We love to engage with the community, and we help to give back to the community as well,” he said.
Zac’s Bar & Grill, 1748 El Camino Real, San Carlos; Instagram: @zacsbarandgrill. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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