The Makki family’s history is rooted in service, resilience, and reinvention. Both of my grandparents served under Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. My mother’s father was a general in the Shah’s Imperial Army, as well as (previously) mayor and governor of Shahriar. My father’s father was the Shah’s personal doctor and trusted advisor. 

 

Raised within the Shah’s inner circle, they lived among the elite of Iran until the 1979 Revolution, when President Carter’s support of Ayatollah Khomeini forced the Shah from power. Like many families close to the monarchy, my parents went into exile to avoid persecution. 

 

They spent their lives across Europe, adapting to new cultures and languages—my father mastering nine languages and my mother five. Eventually, they immigrated to the United States, where they met, married, and built a thriving restaurant group. 

 

Over the decades, our family has owned and operated more than 60 businesses—from restaurants and food trucks to bars and specialty stores. At its peak, the mackie's barbecue brand included four restaurants, eight food trucks, two bars, and two beer + wine stores. 

 

In January 2025, my parents retired, selling off 95% of our expansive family business. Today, I continue their legacy by operating the original Mackie’s in Gaithersburg, specializing in catering and takeout, with the same commitment to quality and community.