Although his family was sponsored by a family and a church based around the Oshkosh/Ripon area Josef still had to make his own way to find work. As an engineer in Iran he was able to provide quite well for his family. But those skills did not translate into the U.S. with all its requirements for licensing, certification, professional association and the like. Feeling he was too old to start over again trying to fit his knowledge of engineering into our way of doing things, he decided to start over with something entirely new. After being introduced to other Iranian people in the area and using the little bit of capital he still had left he and a friend found an opportunity in Appleton on Soldiers Square. It was a tiny little shop that had been many things… a shoe repair shop, a sandwich shop, and a computer store. After a considerable investment in equipment and a desire to offer gyro sandwiches and kabobs as he had known them in Europe and the Middle East.. Josef went to work with hope that he could succeed in his new homeland.

After only about 4 months his friend left him for more steady and “reliable” work elsewhere. So with his “language problem” he ran the restaurant virtually alone and started building clientele from those first days in April 2002.

Just recently the little gyro shop has been sold. But Gyros Kabob goes on. With the new location on College Avenue, Josef has fulfilled another dream… to have a bigger place so his customers can sit and eat in comfort. And the pattern of putting customers first goes on. Good customer service can be just “lip service” in some places…but not in Josef’s restaurant. Good, simple food at a reasonable price in comfortable surroundings is our goal at Gyros Kabob. Although I am a bit sad to let go of the little place on Soldiers Square…I will not miss the heat radiating off of three grills… everywhere and inescapable during long hot summer days.

I have worked with Josef for 2 ½ years and have never seen such energy in a person that has been through so much. I have not seen such energy and hard work in people even half his age. Every day he is filled with hope that the next day will be better. He has a genuine love of people and an openness and willingness to serve them the best he can possibly offer. It is difficult to work with him and not be energized by his fervor and love of life. Josef worked with Americans in Iran in the early days of the Shah when construction was booming and people worked hard and were happy. He says he had American friends and liked them all and was very sad after the Revolution when they were forced to leave. Now that he lives in America he cannot believe how hard we all work and, for some, how simply we have to live. “Americans pay too much taxes” , he says… as he writes another check to the government for his own share. I tell him, “Josef…freedom is not free”… he grumbles but goes on. Knowing America while living here is different than “knowing” it while living in another culture thousands of miles away. Still…for a man who already knows 4 languages, (English makes it 5) he is undaunted. Working on getting his citizenship is the next hurdle. I know he will make it. Out-running and out-smarting a terrorist organization like Hezbollah in his native land make dealing with taxes in this country seem like a “piece of cake”… or should I say a piece of meat (gyro meat that is).

I believe that Josef, no matter where he is or what he is doing, will do it well and excel due to sheer determination and a spirit of adventure.

Come and visit us at Gyros Kabob for the most delicious gyro sandwich you’ve tasted in a long time…maybe ever. Take the time to engage Josef in conversation…he is full of stories. And besides, it’s good for him to exercise his English skills with all of his new-found American friends. See you then...

Claire

( Josef’s “partner” )