WASHINGTON — Some things are still worth a smile in the Palestinian territories. This must be the reasoning behind the idea of opening a real-life version of the infamous “Krusty Krab” of Spongebob Squarepants fame in the middle of town.

The themed restaurant based on the Nickelodeon show will open up in Ramallah, which is in the West Bank, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Unlike the Gaza Strip, Ramallah has not been the scene of recent intense fighting. It still seems like an unlikely place for a replica of Spongebob’s place of employment, a seaside seafood shack that sells the legendary “Krabby Patties” in day-glo technicolor animation.

According to THR, an outfit called “Salta Burgers” is launching the restaurant and has not yet obtained permission to use the “Krabby” moniker. But the exterior resembles that of the animated Krusty Krab, down to the flags displayed on the roof, and the bulls-eye designs on the tables. The bathroom doors are an exact match, and a statue of Mr. Krabs — boss of Spongebob — has been erected.

Hopefully the likenesses don’t go much farther than the food and decor: as many a child viewer will know, sometimes the food gets sabotaged by a tiny evil-doer named Plankton. Though Patrick may be on hand as official taster, and he likes anything.

More at The Hollywood Reporter.

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