A Family's Journey to Building a Halal Food Empire in Allston

A Family-Run Halal Food Empire in Allston

At the heart of four adjacent restaurants in Allston is a family whose strong bond has played a crucial role in the success of their small businesses. The Canca family, which includes parents Ziya Canca and Fatma Corbaci, along with their children Kenan, Rifat, and Dilara, has created a unique dining experience that serves the Muslim community in Boston.

The family’s journey began with a simple goal: to provide halal food for their community. However, their initial motivation was more personal—wanting to have something together as a family. Their restaurant group, Lazuri, now spans multiple locations, offering a variety of halal options that reflect their Turkish heritage.

The Origins of Lazuri

Lazuri, named after "Laz," a language spoken in Rize, a province in Turkey from which the Canca family hails, has become a symbol of their cultural identity. Ziya Canca, who moved to Brighton in 2003, previously owned Anatolia Kebab House in Brookline for about 15 years before selling it to his brother. His dream was to open more halal restaurants in the Boston area, this time with his children by his side.

In 2020, when a vegan restaurant closed down, Rifat saw an opportunity. In March 2021, he launched Turkish Lazuri Cafe in the same spot. The location sits across the street from the now-closed Twin Donuts. The cafe offers a wide range of American and Mediterranean menu options, including Fatma’s Burger, named after Corbaci, and traditional Turkish dishes like menemen and gözleme.

Expanding the Family Business

Boston’s halal food scene is relatively small, and Rifat believes that Lazuri aims to change that. He notes that in New York, halal restaurants are more common, but in Boston, there aren’t many that they know of. Halal food adheres to Islamic dietary laws, which include humane animal slaughter and restrictions on ingredients like pork and alcohol.

Four years after Turkish Lazuri Cafe opened, closures along the same street led to the creation of three new Lazuri restaurants: Lazuri Chicken ‘n Pizza, Lazuri Bakery, and Lazuri Taqueria. These three eateries opened within the first months of 2025, with Lazuri Bakery and Lazuri Taqueria launching just two weeks apart in March.

Kenan Canca said it still hasn’t fully hit him how quickly everything happened. “We opened each shop and everything happened so quickly, it’s hard to process but it shows how blessed we are,” he said.

Balancing Education and Work

Initially, Rifat and Kenan worked at the restaurants on weekends while attending college classes at UMass Boston and UMass Amherst, respectively. Now that they’ve graduated, they’ve taken on full-time roles. Rifat and Kenan co-own Lazuri Taqueria and Chicken n’ Pizza, and they also share ownership of Lazuri Cafe with their father Ziya. Rifat and his mother run the bakery together, while all family members, including Dilara, help out across the different restaurants.

Rifat, who graduated in 2023, said he’s “always at the restaurant.” He recalls frequently making phone calls between classes and reviewing financial statements while taking classes. However, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

A Community-Centric Approach

Kenan mentioned that many people have called the taqueria a “blessing” for giving them an opportunity to experience different cuisines that align with their religious values. The taqueria offers build-your-own burritos, tacos, bowls, and quesadillas using all halal meat options. Its sleek, red interior is illuminated by fluorescent lights.

The four restaurants became neighbors due to pure luck, Rifat said. “This is the perfect opportunity to expand and help the Muslim community, so that’s what we did.”

Embracing Culture and Community

Lazuri Bakery offers a variety of mouth-watering American and Turkish pastries, ranging from a decadent raspberry cake to rich supangle, a chocolate pudding, and the iconic pistachio baklava. The restaurant not only provides halal choices but also serves as a space where Muslims can feel represented.

“It’s not trying to steal their business at all,” Rifat said. “It’s just to help the Muslim community have halal choices, that’s the most important thing.”

For the Canca family, Lazuri represents more than just a business—it’s a way to embrace and share their Turkish culture. “If it was just me running this, I wouldn’t be able to do it, not at all,” Rifat said. “But since I have my family right next to me, it’s much easier.”