Celebrating over 12 years of dedication, passion, and perseverance, the Granati family has earned their title as “ambassadors of the arepa”. After immigrating from Venezuela in 2010, married couple Luis and Belkis bought Gooney’s in hopes of fulfilling their dream of being successful restaurateurs. Although they owned a steakhouse in Venezuela, navigating the restaurant industry as a newcomers toin Canada was not an easy feat. The unfamiliar economy, business regulations, and language barriers created new challenges with every step, but they were optimistic, determined, and steadfastir optimism and determination was steadfast in the face of adversity. 

 

With Belkis attending Algonquin College’s Culinary Management program and three young children in school, Luis recalls working from 5AM to 5PM in the early stages of opening Gooney’s, but he does so with a smile on his face. There’s no lack of love for those hard times in the Granati family, because it gives them an appreciation for how far they’ve come. 

 

After serving sandwiches for the first few years, the couple added one of the most beloved dishes in Venezuelan food culture to their menu: the arepa. A soft, maize flour flatbread stuffed with savoury meats, fresh vegetables, cheese, and their special house coriander sauce, arepas embody the warmth and heartiness of a family. 

 

When asking them about this decision though, Belkis admits that she was initially very hesitant towards about this change as she had feared that it was too unfamiliar for their predominantly Canadian clientele. However, arepas have since become more popular than sandwiches at Gooney’s, and the family shares how the restaurant has come to symbolize the blending of their two cultures. The infusion of their Venezuelan identity into their Canadian home has shaped what belonging in this country means to them, and it’s a joy to see how proud they are to be not just Venezuelan or Canadian, but both.

 

“We learn a lot, we grow, and the good sides we mix,” Luis says. 

 

And that willingness to learn, grow, and see the good has helped Gooney’s through their first years, the COVID-19 pandemic, and even having to move from their original location in 2023. Consistency and unwavering belief in themselves were Luis and Belkis’ secret to success, and you can find that those invaluable traits still remain the essence of Gooney’s at their new spot on the corner of Albert and Kent Street!