ROCKFORD — Two lifelong friends who grew up in Syria have reunited in Rockford to open a new restaurant that offers authentic flavors of their home country.
Yousef Kawara and Khalid Alrifaai partnered to open Yasmeen Al Sham, 5683 Wansford Way. The restaurant focuses on freshly made Syrian and Middle Eastern dishes such as chicken and beef shawarma, shish kabob, hummus, tandoori chicken, and falafel, among other traditional dishes.
The halal restaurant opened last month, filling the space that was formerly Sunrise Family Restaurant just off Harrison Avenue on the city’s south side. Sunrise closed in late September after more than 25 years in business. A separately owned restaurant by the same name continues to operate in Loves Park…