EASTPOINTE — When Syrian American couple Rana and George Georgi opened a small restaurant in Eastpointe, they did not expect their new business to turn into a media destination, let alone the subject of many hateful comments on the internet. They say all they wanted was to cook for and serve diners, but “The Bomb,” the name they gave their restaurant, did not go over well with some people. 

After several local media outlets wrote about “The Bomb,” many people turned to social media, relating the name of the restaurant to violence and terrorism.

However, George told The Arab American News that he did not pick the name of the restaurant to cause controversy and gain publicity. 

He said the restaurant’s name was inspired by its spicy dishes and sandwiches, especially its signature fajita. 

“When you eat something hot, you say wow, it’s burning,” he said. “It’s like when you see an attractive woman down the street, you say she’s the bomb.”

But the energetic chef’s intentions did not spare him hatred on the world wide web.

“Why are these people even in America? Send them back to Syria where they can bomb and kill each other all they want. If they’re illegals, deport them. Now. If not, this is call for their deportation,” commented one reader on a CBS Detroit story about the restaurant.

Although George and his wife are Christian, some online remarks referred to them as Islamists. 

“Is the name ’19 Glorious Martyrs’ already taken elsewhere? Why not the ‘Soldier of Islam hangout?’… ‘Fast Food for Jihad?'” another comment read.

“We’re Christian,” said George. “But religion shouldn’t matter. We live in the country of unity and freedom.”

Georgi.

The Georgis opened the restaurant on Friday, Jan. 31. The small eatery still has the sign that carries its former name, “iDeli.” Despite the negative comments, George is still adamant on naming his business “The Bomb.” 

Unlike what the name might suggest, the restaurant is small and cozy. It will be serving many types of food, including Middle Eastern dishes. It is tucked in a plaza next to a liquor store on Nine Mile Road, near Gratiot Avenue. 

George said he was surprised by the attention his new business has received.

“This is the land of freedom. I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t kill anybody,” he said. “I’m not a villain. I’m not a hero. I just want to work hard and make my customers happy. That’s all that matters.”

He added that he does not think customers would avoid the restaurant because of its name. “What matters is the taste of the food, not the origin or the name. Sustenance is on God,” he said, quoting an Arabic saying. 

Asked if racism is behind the unfavorable remarks regarding his restaurant, George said some people have a “big mouth,” but they don’t represent society. 

Pat Kelly, who was contemplating what to order from the new menu, said she has “nothing against” the name of the restaurant, but she acknowledged that it could be offensive to some people.

“Maybe they should’ve named it ‘The Happy Bomb’ or ‘The Sandwich Bomb,'” she said.