Syrian refugee whose falafel shop was named the 'Nicest Place in America' feeds government workers during shutdown
The nicest place in America just got even nicer.
Yassin Terou, the owner of Yassin’s Falafel House in Knoxville, Tennessee, is offering free meals at both of his restaurants to anyone affected by the government shutdown.
Terou said he felt compelled to do what he could to ease the burden on federal employees and their families.
“It’s important for me [to provide free meals] because these guys are our brothers and sisters, and they already did the work, and they aren’t getting paid,” Terou explained to “Good Morning America.” “For someone like me who is living the American dream in the American land…I believe every hard worker should reach his goal and have a good level of life.”
Terou announced his free-meal initiative on Yassin’s Falafel House Facebook page, adding: “We are more than happy to serve them because they been serving us all this days and we are not going to let them alone.” The post ended with the hashtag #weallneedloveplusfalafel.
Terou recently took home the prize for Reader’s Digest’s Nicest Places in America. “Good Morning America” featured Terou's story, surprising him as the winner on air.
ABC anchor Robin Roberts spent time at Terou’s restaurant last year.
“When I went to Knoxville to visit him there, I found more than great food, I found love the moment I walked in the door,” Roberts said on “GMA.”
Terou estimates about 10 people have stopped in for food since he started offering the free meals to furloughed federal employees on Monday, but added that his restaurant will remain open for any federal employee in need until the government reopens. The workers can order anything from the menu by showing their employee ID for verification.
Terou, a Syrian refugee, opened his restaurant in downtown Knoxville in 2014. He has since opened a second location, and become a pillar of the community. His motto, “When you break bread, you break hate,” speaks to his mission of spreading love and joy through food and conversation.
His message is spreading beyond just his restaurant.
Terou told “GMA” that a retired federal employee saw what he was doing and donated $100 to the restaurant to help cover costs of providing free meals.
“I asked him not to donate, but he refused -- he really wanted to be a part of it,” Terou said.
Terou's message of love is shared with his customers. When the restaurant rings up their order, ABC News affiliate WATE-TV in Knoxville reports a special message shows up on their receipt which reads: "Knoxville Loves You."
The federal government is currently in the midst of its longest-ever shutdown over Trump’s demand for funding to build a border wall. The shutdown entered day 26 on Wednesday, and is impacting some 800,000 federal workers.
But the even a historic shutdown won’t deter Terou from doing all he can to help ease the stress of federal employees.
