A Restaurant Owned by Arab Americans: Sasha Obama’s New Workplace

posted on: Aug 8, 2016

Nancy’s Restaurant and Snack Bar

BY: Mary Elbanna/Contributing Writer

Sasha Obama, the youngest daughter of President Barack Obama has recently been spotted taking on a new summer job at a restaurant in Martha’s Vineyard. An Arab American named Joseph Moujabber owns the restaurant –Nancy’s Restaurant and Snack Bar. The Obamas have dined there on many occasions, frequenting the establishment each time they have vacationed in the Vineyard. The manager of the seafood restaurant, Doug Abdelnour, is also Arab American and has welcomed the Obamas to the restaurant on past occasions.

Sasha has stepped out of her comfort zone as a First Daughter by gaining work experience that many average teenagers find in the summer. She has spent 8 of her 15 years living in the White House, with meals and day-to-day needs being taken care of by White House staff.

Her new experience working in a restaurant is certainly something out of the ordinary for the First Daughter. As part of her new role, she is donning the restaurant’s work uniform of a blue Nancy’s T-shirt and baseball cap, and completing traditional tasks, including waiting tables, working the takeaway counter, and preparing for the restaurant’s lunch rush.

The Boston Herald captures Sasha Obama in her official restaurant uniform.

Earlier this year, Michelle Obama described how she and President Obama have raised Sasha and Malia in a way that allows them to have normal lives, despite spending a great part of their lives as “daughters of the President.” Sasha’s new role in taking on a typical summer job at a restaurant certainly exemplifies this parenting.

Although Sasha is getting a taste of the ordinary, she couldn’t quite escape her title as First Daughter. Sasha couldn’t have her new job without six secret service agents accompanying her each day. While other teenagers might not get away with having six people follow them to their summer job, Nancy’s is undoubtedly happy to have President Obama’s daughter on staff.

Huffington Post – President Obama ordering from Nancy’s while on vacation in Martha’s Vineyard.

The Arab American community was built on owning small businesses like Nancy’s Restaurant. Sasha’s choice to work at an Arab American owned restaurant is definitely a point of pride for the community, which puts great value in hard work.