Les Saj Brings it Home

Adham Tayfour wants to provide the same opportunity to others that he found in Canada. He also wants to share a taste of what he left behind.

It has only been eight years since Tayfour moved here from Syria, a country where civil war has resulted in as many as 5.7 million Syrians fleeing the country, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Tayfour’s first job was as a cashier at Walmart. “I appreciate that they hired me without any Canadian experience,” said Tayfour, who previously worked in entertainment and hospitality in Syria. More recently, he worked at the Plaza Premium Lounge at the Winnipeg airport before starting on the path as co-owner of Les Saj.

The restaurant, at 1038 St. James St., specializes in Middle Eastern food. Since opening two-and-a-half years ago, Tayfour has worked to provide Manitobans with the comfort food of his former home, including shawarma, donairs and falafel.

As more Middle Eastern restaurants enter the scene, it helps boost his business, said Tayfour. “People are more familiar with it,” he said. Les Saj does have something no one else offers, however. “We have our own bread,” he said, the saj of the restaurant’s name. Saj is a paper-thin circle of bread made over a dome-shaped grill. They use it where other restaurants use pita bread. “It’s thinner, fresher and easier to eat.”

The response to the food and the atmosphere that Tayfour has worked so hard to create has been amazing. “I can’t be happier,” he said, and the feedback he receives in person and via online reviews demonstrate that they are reaching their goals of offering a welcoming place where people can get a quick, delicious meal for a good price.

“It is a break from the usual,” he said, when you are ready for something different from burgers, pizzas or subs. “It’s healthier and for $10 you’re fed full,” a good thing because the garlic in their signature sauce is one that revs up your appetite. “You have to be a little careful with that one.” One of the misconceptions is that the food is spicy,” he said, although the house-made hot sauce can definitely add a kick.

With the restaurant doing well, Tayfour has made a commitment to help others. Les Saj works with Manitoba Start’s Refugee Employment Development Initiative, or REDI, to provide work experience to new arrivals. With many of the employees speaking Arabic, the language barrier is lessened. While the program is focused on getting people ready for the workforce, Les Saj has hired three people from the program in the last two years. “I just want to give them that shot,” he said. “Everyone needs that first opportunity.”

Photos by Claudine Gervais