Zakir was once one of three head bakers at Tribeca Oven, until that bakery changed its focus to all frozen items. Zakir struck out on his own and bought well-known Italian bakery Vacarro in Long Island City, which he operated under the Vacarro name for a time. In 2011, he officially changed the name of his business to Zakir bakery. Zakir offers many of the same breads that Tribeca Oven originally baked before they switched to a frozen line. Zakir offers some of the best-priced options available.