In 2001, Wanid Noori came to the United States as a refugee, starting from nothing. Instead of relying on government help, he made a choice: he would build a future through hard work and determination.

By 2002, he found his first job at an Indian restaurant—Bombay House (now known as Mumbai House). He didn’t start in the kitchen. He started at the very bottom as a busboy—cleaning tables, wiping down banquets, scrubbing bathrooms, doing all the jobs most people overlooked.

But instead of just doing what was required, when his shift was done, he would step into the kitchen and ask for more work. He wanted to learn. He wanted to grow.

And this is where he met a man who made a difference: Harpall Paul Singh, the owner of Bombay House. To this day, our family says we’ve never met a more humble and genuine person. His kindness, mentorship, and leadership gave my father the opportunity to rise.

Within a year, Wanid moved from cleaning tables to cooking dishes, mastering recipes, and learning the craft of Indian cuisine. Step by step, he built his skills.

Fast forward to 2025—after decades of sacrifice, perseverance, and dedication—Wanid Noori now owns two thriving restaurants, one in Layton and one in Ogden.

And here’s what makes The Fort different: there are no outside owners, no corporate investors, no silent partners. This is family-run, built from the ground up. The only true owners are the community that supports us—because without you, none of this would exist.

✨ This isn’t just about food. It’s about resilience. It’s about a refugee who came from nothing and built something extraordinary. And it’s about a community that makes it all possible.

Welcome to The Fort—where hard work meets flavor, and where every dish tells a story.