It was in 1986 that our friend and mentor Wafi decided to open what would later become 360 Gourmet in Albany, CA. He called it Hot Shop Gourmet, and still is being operated there under that name. Today the first 360 Gourmet being credited as store number one is in Alameda, CA.

Wafi was fed up with pre-made fast food menus and wanted to have freshly made-to-order food with pristine ingredients. No lard, no MSG, no preservatives, and no hydrogenated oils were among his priorities. Local organic lightly smoked dense tofu was a rare commodity in quick service restaurants back then.