Robert (left) and Rojeh Labbad have opened up Shawarma Time restaurant that has Syrian cuisine on the menu.

By Chad Klassen

SHAWARMA TIME

Syrian restaurant in downtown Kamloops thriving

Oct 25, 2019 | 5:07 PM

KAMLOOPS — A pair of Syrian brothers, who welcomed their family to Kamloops in an emotional reunion on Thursday, have gone from refugees to restauranters.

Rojeh Labbad, among the first Syrians to arrive in Kamloops from his war-torn country in 2016, has opened up a new Middle Eastern restaurant downtown with his brother Robert. It’s proving to the be popular with locals enjoying authentic Syrian cuisine.

“It’s very busy. Weekends, we get very busy. It’s good, very good. It’s just the first month,” said Rojeh.

The Labbad brothers serve lamb and chicken wraps and entrees made from a special mix of Arabic spices. The brothers from Syria make everything from scratch every day, ensuring every item they serve is fresh.

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“Everything, we cut it fresh,” said Robert, who’s the main cook. “People, when they order, they order salad, we’ll make salad at the same time. We’re not going to prepare before.”

The restaurant, called Shawarma Time on Seymour Street, has been open for a month now. The Labbads took over the Papa G’s cafe location. They still serve some of the old favourites, but have put their own Syrian twist on the food.

“We decided to try it in Kamloops because nobody has it,” said Rojeh. “If you want to get Shawarma, you have to go all the way down to Vancouver or somewhere else. That’s why we believe it’s a good business here.”

The restaurant is open seven days a week and has made for busy times with only two of them cooking and serving.

Rojeh (left) and Robert Labbad preparing food in their kitchen on Seymour Street (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

“If we’re still busy like this, we’ll need some people to work with us to help all customers and not be late for anymore,” said Robert Labbad. “Restaurant work is not easy for anyone.”

But in the end, the hard work is all worth it for them. Rojeh arrived four years ago with Robert only coming three months ago, both coming to make a better life for themselves.

On Thursday, they saw their parents for the first time in 12 years. That is what also keeps them motivated.

“It’s something to support our family because we are a big family now,” said Rojeh. “I think we need a lot. Living here costs lots of money. Me, my brother, and my other brother are working. I don’t think we’re going to be able to afford to live the way we like to live. That’s why we opened something to support us and help us.”