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Somali Immigrant Opens an Authentic Restaurant in Downtown Syracuse Somali Immigrant Opens an Authentic Restaurant in Downtown Syracuse

By Polina Shemanova

POLINA SHEMANOVA: Isir’s Somali Cuisine restaurant has been open now for three weeks.The owner Isir Farah still can’t believe she did it while planning her own wedding at the same time.Farah tells us how her dream has begun.

ISIR FARAH: I used to sell plates at home, on the weekends. And then I stopped that because the kitchen was too small and I used to live with my mom, so and there is a lot of us too. But at the same time, where I am at right now is perfect, I love it.

SHEMANOVA: Having family members work at the restaurant, meeting new customers from all over the world… That what Farah loves about her business. Farah tries to implement Somali culture even in her name of the restaurant.

FARAH: The reason why I named my restaurant “Isir” is not also because it’s my name but it means… It has a meaning and the meaning is “culture”. So it fitted perfectly.

SHEMANOVA: It’s all started from selling food platters at Isir’s house, and her husband Mohamed Mohamed always knew she had a passion to open her own business.

MOHAMED MOHAMED: It’s something she always wanted to do, and I am glad she took this big step and like something she always dreamt of, cause her mom doesn’t.. It would have been, like, her mom idea, but her mom doesn’t know like, the in and outs of the, you know, this country. So I think her mom felt more comfortable being under Isir hand.

SHEMANOVA: Building your business from scratch as an immigrant, getting married, and enjoying what you do. As a proud Somali, Isir can do it all.

In Syracuse, I’m Polina Shemanova, NCC News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Isir’s Somali Restaurant opened up in early September. The owner of the restaurant Isir Farah overcame the challenges to pursue her dream.

“It is hard to believe that the restaurant is now open, I am very proud of myself,” Farah said.

Being an immigrant in the U.S. and opening up your business might be challenging. Besides that, Farah was also in the middle of planning her own wedding. Her husband, Mohamed Mohamed, had absolutely no doubt in his wife. He said that resilience is Farah’s strong trait as a business owner.

About three years ago, Farah started from selling food platters at her own house. She always wanted to share her culture through Somali traditional meals. But soon, the kitchen was small enough to serve everyone. That’s when Farah first thought about expanding as a local business.

“I knew that people really needed this, and we needed more diverse African restaurants, because we don’t have that in Syracuse,” Farah said. “But we are getting better.”

Family was always important to Isir. Today, her sisters, husband, and friends are all being part of Isir’s business. Including her mom who is the main chef in the restaurant’s kitchen.

Isir’s Somali Restaurant is located on 656 N. Salina St. and open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Take out or dine-in options are available.

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