Caribbean fusion replaces kabob restaurant on Columbia Pike

A new Caribbean fusion restaurant has popped up in the former space of Family Kabob House on Columbia Pike.

Soca Fusion, which blends Caribbean cuisine with Indian, Pakistani and Mediterranean influences, debuted last month at 3205 Columbia Pike.

Owner Salam Kebeom and her husband Angosom Abraham took ownership of Family Kabob House back in June, and opted to change the restaurant partly because Abraham said Caribbean food is harder to come by than Indian food in Arlington.

"I'm more of a Caribbean food lover, and that relates to not only Caribbean populations," he said. "A lot of people like Caribbean food and it's very rare in this area."

Soca's lunch and dinner entrees place an emphasis on curries. Other options include jerk chicken, red snapper and oxtail.

"The most sophisticated one is oxtail, but you cannot eat it everyday," Abraham said. "For me, at least, it is heavy, but once in awhile it is good. We're surprised that is one of the high-sell items."

Meals are accompanied by rice and one side, with options including plantains and roti.

The restaurant also serves a breakfast menu, with each plate coming in under $10. The dishes feature a roti with toppings or sides, like eggs, salsa, and fuul, or stewed fava beans. There's also kicha fitfit , an East African specialty made with fried flatbread in a spiced sauce.

Abraham and Kebeom pulled on chefs from Bourbon Boulevard in Chantilly and Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar in D.C. to create the menu.

Located next to Panda Bowl and Eli's Taqueria, Soca Fusion takes online carryout orders and can seat about 25 people inside. The restaurant opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.