A Toronto restaurant that’s been in business for 7 years was recently forced to close its doors following a landlord conflict, but they’re already making moves towards a comeback.
Named after the town in Syria from which founder Zakaria (Zak) Mokdad emigrated to Toronto back in 2011, fleeing the war in his country, Aleppo Kebab has firmly cemented itself as a go-to in Scarborough, serving up droolworthy Syrian-style kebabs alongside Chef Antranig Kanajyan.
Holding court in the Warden and Lawrence area since 2017, Aleppo Kebab’s sustained popularity (likely due in no small part to the from-scratch kebabs they grill over lava rock) allowed them to expand earlier this summer, opening up a sister location in Ajax.
Popularity and good food are only two — albeit major — elements that contribute to the survival of a restaurant in Toronto, though, and a different factor has recently landed Zak, and Aleppo Kebab’s 3o-or-so employees, in rough waters.
Taking to the restaurant’s Instagram account earlier this month, Zak solemnly announced the sudden closure of Aleppo’s Scarborough location, citing ongoing conflict with the restaurant’s landlord, which seemingly reached a fever pitch in early November, resulting in the unexpected end of the restaurant’s life.
“Our landlord closed the door at 1:27 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 2nd,” Zak tells blogTO.
He explains that, after two years of the restaurant’s landlord refusing to renew their lease, he suddenly terminated the agreement and kicked Aleppo Kebab out.
The decision to open the Ajax location, Zak adds, was as much a move to expand the business as it was to hedge his bets, sensing over the past two years, that the landlord in question would only continue to cause more problems for Aleppo Kebab.
“We skipped from Syria and we came here for freedom and to build a future for my kids and family,” he says. “And this guy stood in front of me.”
“He just [doesn’t] like to see a successful business,” Zak adds.
Following the termination of the lease, Zak tells blogTO that he had to lay off 30 of his employees, who now find themselves out of work, and began to search for a new space in Scarborough to reopen the second iteration of Aleppo Kebab — and his efforts have finally paid off.
“I found a location right at Warden and Lawrence,” Zak tells blogTO, noting that, despite being in a similar location to the original, the new restaurant boasts a larger location and “nicer” dining area.
Hopefully it comes along with a smoother landlord-tenant relationship, too.
While the new location is currently under construction, Zak confirms that its doors will hopefully open to the public this December.
You can stat up to date on the latest news about Aleppo Kebab by following their Instagram, and in the meantime, those living north of the 401 (or those willing to make the trek; it’s worth it, I promise) can visit their Ajax location at 605 Church North.
