Shawarma Alzaeem has only been open in Burlington since January 1, 2023, but they’ve already made a big impression on Burlington residents with their embrace of all members of the community: there is a large sign in their window saying that people who can’t afford to pay can eat for free.
Community members shared their support of Shawarma Alzaeem’s efforts online, and soon, photos of the sign were buzzing around Burlington-based social media channels and groups.
The online support has led to in-person support; Amjad Hareri, one of the co-owners of the restaurant, says that customers have come in making offerings of $50 or $100 to help purchase meals for those who can’t pay. Hareri says that he and fellow co-owner Fawaz AlMunayer appreciate the kindness, and are happy for people to help in “pay it forward” style, but that $100 “is too much!”
This community focus is not new for Hareri and AlMunayer — their Mississauga location, which opened on March 1, 2020, also extends the same courtesy to customers who cannot pay. There is uptake, Hareri says, and the offer is for one specific sandwich, only for the person(s) coming into the restaurant; if they know another person in need, that person has to physically come in as well to take advantage of the free meal. “This is one way to pay back to the community, and be part of the community,” Hareri comments.
Hareri notes that community members helping each other is a deeply engrained value in his home country of Syria; “Maybe not as visible as a sign [in the window], but [they] always support people in need.” He has lived in Canada since 1997, with much previous restaurant experience, including over a decade with another shawarma restaurant in St. Catharines. After leaving the restaurant business for awhile, he came back, and Shawarma Alzaeem is the result, with their Syrian-style shawarma and bakery items.
The bakery items “are the big thing,” Hareri says; there are cheese pies, chicken pies, za’atar pies, muhammara and cheese pies, and more, all freshly-made. “A lot of people know them from back home,” he observes, and they aim to stay as close as possible to the traditional Syrian style, bringing something new to Burlington residents who are not familiar with Syrian food.
There is chicken or beef for the saj or pita wraps; the chicken is tender, nicely-spiced, and delicious (especially with pickles, turnips, plenty of their excellent garlic sauce, and hot sauce). The cheese pies, warm from the oven and good for eating one-handed, are fantastic; not all cheese pies survived the car ride home. And the gently-curried lentil soup is tasty, and, as Hareri says, “good for colds.”
Shawarma Alzaeem (1235 Fairview St.) is a great spot for food and, with that contagious community spirit, your soul as well.
