- by Anne Finlay-Stewart, Editor

When I sat down with my lunch on one side of me and my notepad on the other, I had no idea what to expect of the next twenty minutes.
Both the food and the story were more than I anticipated.

Naveed Khan, of the already popular Mr. Khan's in downtown Owen Sound, is a journalist by profession. Originally from Pakistan near the border of Afghanistan, he was a news anchor there. Resources were limited, and the channel had no international opportunities, so Khan moved to Barcelona, Spain where there are more than 100,000 Urdu-speakers. He ran an Urdu-language newspaper for Spain and France. Khan himself speaks six languages – English, Spanish, Urdu, Pashto, Hindi and Punjabi.

After moving to Toronto, Khan was invited up to Owen Sound to manage a restaurant.
As he walked to work every day from his home in downtown Owen Sound, every single person along the way was welcoming. "This place is so caring – it's just like a big family" Khan said.
He was not here long before he knew he wanted a business of his own.

A friend came from Spain to help him start Mr. Khan's but he will be going home soon and Mr. Khan and his staff will be on their own with the busy lunch and dinner restaurant.

The menu includes familiar chicken wings and fries, haddock, halibut and cod and chips, as well as burritos and shawarma.

Shawarma is marinated grilled beef or chicken, thinly sliced and served with your choice of veggies and pickles and creamy or hot sauces, with rice or wrapped in naan. Although long time fans of shawarma may be looking for a spicier meat, so far the seasoning is mild as Mr. Khan eases Owen Sounders into this new dish.

Vegetarians will find lots of options, including falafel and hummus made fresh in the store. The rice Khan has chosen for the rice and beans and special platter is a more nutritious long-grain sela rice.

Khan's goal is to constantly make his service and food better and better. In a few months, towards the winter, Khan plans to introduce a special naan bread baked in the store in many varieties: cheese or garlic or with toppings "like pizza – only better!"

It may be just what we need to get us through a long, cold winter.