Damascus Grill Closes, Fatoush Opens in Its Place

In a south Denver strip mall dominated by Middle Eastern restaurants, Damascus Grill has stood out over the years, serving Syrian cuisine since 1990. But the restaurant's sign is gone at 2276 South Colorado Boulevard, replaced by a new one announcing Fatoush Authentic Middle Eastern Restaurant. The changeover was quick...

By Mark Antonation

October 17, 2017

Fatoush is now open in the former home of Damascus Grill. Mark Antonation

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

In a south Denver strip mall dominated by Middle Eastern restaurants, Damascus Grill has stood out over the years, serving Syrian cuisine since 1990. But the restaurant's sign is gone at 2276 South Colorado Boulevard, replaced by a new one announcing Fatoush Authentic Middle Eastern Restaurant.

The changeover was quick. The place looks as if it received a serious scrub-down inside, and tapestry-like tablecloths add color and texture, but the menus are the same as before, still bearing the Damascus cover.

We have a call in to Mahmoud Kassir, who currently operates two other Damascus Grill locations, at 1399 West Littleton Boulevard in Littleton and 703 Wilcox Avenue in Castle Rock.

The Kassir family has been active in the community over the years; daughter Amal Kassir is a Denver poet and activist who led protests at Denver International Airport earlier this year when President Donald Trump enacted a travel and immigration ban against citizens of Syria.

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Mark Antonation is the former Westword Food & Drink Editor. In 2018, he was named Outstanding Media Professional by the Colorado Restaurant Association; he's now with the Colorado Restaurant Foundation.

Contact: Mark Antonation

Follow:

Instagram: @mantonation