Al Markaz has been serving generous portions of Indian and Pakistani food in Carrollton since 1996, and many a Dallasite recalls growing up in a childhood full of visits to this restaurant-grocery ...

One Al Markaz customer, who wished to remain unnamed, grew up in the Ismaili community in Dallas’ northern suburbs. “Dining at the restaurant was a vital part of the experience there,” she says.

This was no ordinary shopping center. No Target, Best Buy or Subway was within miles (OK, like two miles), and a women's clothing store, though not your average Forever 21, stood to my left.