Our story 

From Syria to Kitchener — A Journey of Hope, Hard Work, and Home

It all began in Syria in early 2011 — the moment everything changed. When the war started, people were being punished simply for standing up for their rights. My father, who would one day create Reif Bakery & Shawarma, realized he had a choice to make: stay and risk everything, or flee to protect his family.

Like hundreds of thousands of others, he made the painful decision to leave the home he loved, not because he wanted to — but because he had a family to keep safe.

A stop in Jordan:

We arrived in Jordan hoping for safety, and while it was safer than home, life was still difficult.

Even though we shared the same language, culture, and region, we were often treated differently — called “filthy Syrian refugees”, looked at differently on the streets, in schools, and at clinics.

But not everyone was like that. Many Jordanians demonstrated kindness, compassion, and a big heart. Some stood up for us when others didn’t. And that kindness is something we will never forget.

A life-changing call

After three long years, we received a phone call that changed everything:

We were accepted to come to Canada.

A chance to live in a place where we would be treated equally, where we could build a future, and where we could finally breathe again.

Coming to Canada wasn’t easy — not for us, and not for the thousands of other Syrian refugees who arrived. Many didn’t speak English. Many had no formal diplomas, even though they had worked for years in construction or trades. Finding work was hard, and surviving was harder.

The first restaurant

So we decided to build something ourselves — a restaurant at 11 Westmount Road, opened by my father and two other Syrian partners.

It wasn’t just a business.

It was a message:

That we, refugees, could thrive.

That we could rebuild.

That we could contribute.

The business did okay, but not enough to support three families. Eventually, the two partners sold their shares to my father. He worked endlessly, paying off loans, trying to keep everything going.

And then — just as things were finally stable —

COVID hit.

Quarantines. Empty streets. Hard times all over again.

We had no choice but to sell.

A new beginning: 390 Courtland Ave

But we didn’t give up.

After everything we survived — war, displacement, rebuilding, setbacks — giving up wasn’t an option.

So we started again.

A new location.

A new chapter.

A new dream.

Here at 390 Courtland Ave, we’re building something meant to last. Even though the war in Syria has slowed, our journey continues — as Syrians, as Canadians, and as a family that refuses to quit.

Our promise

After 14 years of stress, loss, war, and goodbyes without closure, we’ve learned something important:

We can bring life back into any place.

We can rebuild anywhere.

We can bring a dead place back to life.

And that’s our mission here:

To create fresh cultural food, served with heart.

To share a piece of Syria with Kitchener.

To connect with people, hear their stories, and tell ours.

This isn’t just a restaurant.

It’s a journey. It’s a culture. It’s a home.

It's an experience.

And we’re honoured to share it with you.