A taste of Lebanon: Montreal bakery turns 35 years of tradition into a family legacy
Posted September 8, 2026 5:14 pm.
What started as a small Lebanese bakery in Montreal’s Saint-Laurent has grown into a multi-generational family business.
This year, Andalos is celebrating its 35th anniversary, proud to continue sharing the flavours and traditions of Lebanon with the community.
“It’s a huge milestone for all of us,” said Pascale Cheaib, head of operations and co-owner of the bakery. “I believe everything that we make in Lebanon is so good. It’s so tasty. It’s so flavourful.”
“It’s so fresh,” she added. “You know why wouldn’t you want to share it?”
Still owned and operated by the second generation of the Cheaib family, the business has grown beyond its beginnings. Today, Andalos produces fresh pita, baked goods and homemade Lebanese dishes, while also offering catering and distributing its products across Quebec, Canada and beyond.
“It’s like coming home,” described Cheaib. “Achieving so many things together makes me so proud. I’m getting teary-eyed. But it really makes me proud and I think my dad would be very proud of us as well.”
Just children back then, Cheaib and her two brothers grew up around the family buisness that their father created in 1991 after immigrating to Montreal from Lebanon.
Described as a visionary from his daughter, Raymond Cheaib moved the bakery from a block away to their current and bigger location in 2011.
His three children decided to carry on the family legacy after his sudden passing in 2015.
Today, Andalos continues to expand — the team is developing new products and introducing Lebanese flavours to new audiences.
Among its latest creations are its new zaatar crackers, inspired by one of the flavours that has been part of the Andalos story since its earliest days.
For the family, reaching the 35-year milestone is about more than business growth. It’s about the people who helped build Andalos along the way — from customers to their employees.
“I came from Syria after suffering from war. So I couldn’t imagine that in a place I could find the warmth, the love outside our country,” explained Any Akinian, Andalos employee. “But at the moment I entered here, I saw everything is here.”
“I appreciate them, really,” she added. “I wish them all the success, happiness.”
To mark the milestone, the Andalos team is inviting the community to a free block party on Sept. 19, featuring their food, entertainment and more.
“It’s the way for us to say thank you from our family to everybody’s families,” said Cheaib, smiling. “For supporting us throughout all the years.”
