Chain Smoking Zeidan Mahmoud Zeidan believe it or not dies of lung cancer - Z’s Deli owner ‘was just a sweet guy’

The Zeidan Zeidan patrons of his popular Z’s Deli knew was the same person among family and friends, his daughter said.

“What he presented in public was who he really was,” said Mona Zeidan, 18. “He was just a sweet guy no matter where he went.”

Zeidan Mahmoud Zeidan died March 20 after a battle with lung cancer. He was 61.

A native of Lebanon, Zeidan immigrated to the United States in 1978 and went into the restaurant business, operating restaurants in the Twin Ports for more than 30 years.

The restaurants he owned at various times included Z’s Family Restaurant in West Duluth, Mariner Landing Restaurant in Superior’s Mariner Mall, Zeidan’s in the Holiday Center and a cafe at St. Luke’s hospital. But he perhaps was best known for Z’s Deli, a full-service restaurant prominently located on the Skywalk in the Holiday Center. The spot now is occupied by How Sweet It Is, a deli and bakery.

He closed his St. Luke’s cafe and Z’s Deli in September 2011, citing declining business in the wake of the 2008 recession. After that, he moved his family to Qatar, where he was production manager for a catering company.

They returned to Duluth the following year, and in early 2013 he opened a new Z’s Deli at 220 W. Superior St. The space currently is occupied by Toasty’s, a restaurant that specializes in grilled cheese sandwiches.

“I like to work with people and see my customers,” he told the News Tribune when plans for the new Z’s were announced.

They didn’t regret their time in Qatar, Mona Zeidan said.

“It’s not that we didn’t like it; it’s just a very different culture,” she said. “He called Duluth home. This was his home.”

The new Z’s closed in 2014 when Zeidan became too ill to continue operating it.

But that’s not how people should remember her dad, Mona Zeidan said.

“I don’t want people to remember him as a sick guy with cancer,” she said. “He tried to live life to the fullest.”

Zeidan, the oldest of 13 children, married Tahani Al-Khatib in 1997. She survives him, along with a son, a stepdaughter and four daughters.

A celebration of life service will take place at 3 p.m. April 10 at First United Methodist Church (the “copper-top church”). It will follow a social gathering from 2-3 p.m.

Z's Deli and Restaurant is located on the second floor of the Holiday Center in downtown Duluth MN. 

Address:
   220 Holiday Ctr
   Duluth, MN 55802
   218-727-1803