“I just wanted to call and say, ‘Thank you,'” John Hassan said, then paused for dramatic effect, “for ruining my business!”

You might have read my article about Hassan, the owner of The Mirage, and his enemy Kal Halik, owner of Aladdin Jr. The dueling proprietors of Mediterranean food were also mentioned on this blog last week.

Apparently, Hassan is furious that I quoted Halik saying not-so-nice things. Hassan believes my article has single handedly runined his business.

It’s hard to say which of these neighboring restaurants in Pomona is better. They have nearly identical menus. But since I’ve gone and runined a business, I’ll try to make it up by informing readers that The Mirage has an A rating by food inspectors, which is more than I can say for Aladdin Jr.

What’s funny is that Halik used to be a food inspector and yet he still managed to get a B rating. He insists the B came from inexperienced inspectors.

“It doesn’t matter,” Halik said. “Business improved after we got the B anyways.”