TAPinto New Brunswick's People to Watch in 2024: Gus Sleiman

Gus Sleiman showed up each day at the Bobadilla Summer Soccer Academy with trays full of delicious food. It was enough to keep a camp full of 150 or so hungry players fueled and going strong.

One little boy, however, seemed to take notice of Sleiman’s generosity and his gentle demeanor.

“He came and sat next to me and held my hand,” Sleiman said. “I felt how happy and appreciative he was, like maybe he gets this one meal only. That’s the connection that I felt. It made me happy, but it also made me sad. I take it and try to double it just to get that extra impact. It makes me think, ‘You know what, I want to do this twice as much now.’ ”

Soccer academies, art installations, cultural festivals, ribbon-cutting events, and more – there hardly seems to have been a public gathering in New Brunswick in 2023 that didn’t include food donated by Sleiman, one of TAPinto New Brunswick’s People to Watch in 2024.

Over the years, an untold number of people have chowed down on baba ganoush, tabbouleh salad, lamb shish kabob sandwiches, and other Lebanese delicacies that come straight from the kitchen of his restaurant, Evelyn’s. – and straight from his heart. 

“Gus is one of the most genuine people I know,” said Pam Stafanek, the executive director of City Market. “He believes that a strong community begins with giving back and he demonstrates that through his commitment, serving in a variety of ways.”

Sleiman’s path to becoming an Easton Avenue entrepreneur began a half-world away.

His family, Catholic Maronites from Beirut, decided in 1989 to leave the bloody Lebanese Civil War behind and come to the United States. The Sleimans settled in New Brunswick and began to build a new life in a new land.

Gus was just 17 and was studying English when his father took a chance and opened Evelyn’s.

“My father made a drastic decision and he sacrificed a great life for a lack of security, but he also did it for a better future for all of us,” Sleiman said. “He wanted us to have freedom.”

About 10 years later, Sleiman was on course to go to law school when his father offered him the reins to the restaurant.

“I had to make a decision,” Sleiman said. “Do I want to sit in an office for 25 years and then get a window office after 25 years, or do I want to go every day and try to make a change? I’m that type of person. If I see a car break down I slow down and I see if there’s something I can do. Most people, look the other way and drive away. I said, ‘You know what? I’m the type of person who wants a challenge every day.' ”

Evelyn’s was his entry point into the community. In short order, he opened Barca City on Easton Avenue. The challenge of running two restaurants, however, made for too many 16-hour days. So, Sleiman sold Barca City this past fall.

Sitting in front of a huge platter piled high with chicken, steak, lamb, and kafta kabobs on a recent afternoon at Evelyn’s, Sleiman is talking about having more free time in 2024, more time to rip through that stack of books he recently bought, more time for what he calls “self-care.”

Those who know him best say don't count on his commitment to the city wavering one bit. It wouldn’t be surprising if he took on more volunteer work. After all, he has served with the Salvation Army and New Brunswick’s Sister City program.

“Food is a basic human right,” Sleiman said. “As a Christian, that is part of human dignity. So, you see me in all these different corners because I strongly believe in that.”

Capt. Michael Bobadilla's friendship with Sleiman goes back to 1994 when he was a rookie in the New Brunswick Police Department working the overnight shift. When Bobadilla began his soccer academy, Sleiman immediately volunteered to bring the food.

"Gus and I have become brothers," Bobadilla said. "We have been working together on many projects that help to better our community with a special focus on the children. He has been instrumental in providing healthy meals to the children in our free summer soccer academy. Gus is a man of God with a big heart. He not only talks the talk but also walks the walk. I am proud to call him my brother."

Story By: Chuck O'Donnell
Photo Credit: TAPinto New Brunswick