Shawarma House officially opened in Yellowknife on Nov. 29, bringing with it a taste of the Middle East and India.

For Zakaria Boukdich, co-owner of the restaurant along with Maamer Hamada, the decision to open in the NWT capital was a pretty easy one, in many respects.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of people here, theySA国际影视传媒檙e familiar with shawarma, either from down south or all over the world,SA国际影视传媒� said Boukdich. SA国际影视传媒淢aybe theySA国际影视传媒檝e travelled to the Middle East or India, where shawarma is very known and very popular.

SA国际影视传媒淪o thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of people that are missing that,SA国际影视传媒� said Boukdich. SA国际影视传媒淪o itSA国际影视传媒檚 like a trip to the Middle East when they eat our shawarma. Our spices are typically from Syria, so thatSA国际影视传媒檚 what makes our service special.SA国际影视传媒�

While there are other dishes that residents can choose from, Boukdich confirmed that shawarma is the focus of the Shawarma House.

SA国际影视传媒淪hawarma is the main dish on our menu,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淪ides are like salads, baba ganoush SA国际影视传媒� baba ganoush is typically like a dip-in, eggplants, the tabbouleh salad. (The salad) is 100 per cent vegan and made with parsley and onion, chopped onions and chopped tomatoes.SA国际影视传媒�

Located at 5006 Franklin Ave, Shawarma House came to fruition through an agreement with an individual who Boukdich now considers a good friend.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was just a click of chance,SA国际影视传媒� said Boukdich. SA国际影视传媒淚 met a guy and I was looking for a place. He passed me his number and everything and I called him right awaySA国际影视传媒� ISA国际影视传媒檓 glad that I know someone like him. He helped me a lot.SA国际影视传媒�

Mustaja Alhajjy, who came to Yellowknife with his wife from Syria, looks after the eaterySA国际影视传媒檚 food preparation.

The restaurant met with an initial rush of interest, selling out of chicken shawarma and a few other ingredients on its opening day and had to close earlier than normal. Normally, patrons can expect Shawarma House to be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.

For Boukdich, the decision to launch the business during the Covid-19 pandemic was the most troubling part.

SA国际影视传媒淲e were waiting for so long to just open our restaurant,SA国际影视传媒� said Boukdich. SA国际影视传媒淓very three months weSA国际影视传媒檙e delaying it. Then I was like, SA国际影视传媒榊ou know what, ISA国际影视传媒檒l just open it and letSA国际影视传媒檚 go for it.SA国际影视传媒� It doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 matter, whatever will happen, it will happen. If itSA国际影视传媒檚 meant to be, itSA国际影视传媒檚 meant to be. If the pandemic hits us hard, yeah, unfortunately, we will close. Everything is going good for now.SA国际影视传媒�

The health department and the city have been quite helpful in getting the operation up and running, he added.

SA国际影视传媒淭he health department, they helped us a lot, they provided us with a report, we can open for 40 people,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭he city also helped us a lot, they were like SA国际影视传媒榃eSA国际影视传媒檙e so happy that youSA国际影视传媒檙e opening a shawarma place here.SA国际影视传媒� EverybodySA国际影视传媒檚 encouraging us.SA国际影视传媒�