Syrian refugee whose falafel shop was named the 'Nicest Place in America' feeds government workers during shutdown

The nicest place in America just got even nicer.

Yassin Terou, the owner of Yassin’s Falafel House in Knoxville, Tennessee, is offering free meals at both of his restaurants to anyone affected by the government shutdown.

Terou said he felt compelled to do what he could to ease the burden on federal employees and their families.

“It’s important for me [to provide free meals] because these guys are our brothers and sisters, and they already did the work, and they aren’t getting paid,” Terou explained to “Good Morning America.” “For someone like me who is living the American dream in the American land…I believe every hard worker should reach his goal and have a good level of life.”

Terou announced his free-meal initiative on Yassin’s Falafel House Facebook page, adding: “We are more than happy to serve them because they been serving us all this days and we are not going to let them alone.” The post ended with the hashtag #weallneedloveplusfalafel.

Terou recently took home the prize for Reader’s Digest’s Nicest Places in America. “Good Morning America” featured Terou's story, surprising him as the winner on air.

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But the even a historic shutdown won’t deter Terou from doing all he can to help ease the stress of federal employees.