Damask Cafe

OK, so...in the interest of full disclosure, I've lived in the Middle East and miss Arabic food a lot.  I was excited and wary in equal parts when I saw the sign for this place.  Either a place does Middle Eastern food really well or it sucks - there's no in between for me. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Damask does it well.

The first thing that impressed me was the atmosphere. Friendly and casual - and the food matched. The dishes are not what I remember from Syria or Jordan, but they have a combination of authenticity and uniqueness that works.  The hummus, baba ghanouj, tabouleh, etc., were the real deal, and the entrees were mostly a mish-mash of greek and random Mediterranean stuff. My friend and I shared summac chicken (which I never heard of in the Middle East) and lamb kabob, and both were tasty.  The lamb was much more tender than shish kabob type meats usually are.  

One thing I hate about restaurants is when the main dish is great but the side dishes are throwaways. This is not the case here!  The rice, salad and pita were a great "supporting cast," and the portions were big enough that we had leftovers.

I did order carry out once since then (shawarma wrap - not a real shawarma but it was good), and requested the salad dressing on the side, which they forgot to do.

So bottom line, I highly recommend Damask. If you're used to Middle Eastern food you will be pleasantly surprised, and if you're not, it's a perfect introduction!

I'm really somewhere between a 2 and a 3. I was really happy to see a Mediterranean restaurant in Muncie, but was a bit disappointed in the food. It wasn't bad, but it just wasn't fabulous. I love Mediterranean food, particularly Turkish, and it didn't compare to what I'm used to.

We ordered an appetizer plate. The hummus and tabouli were fine, but not the best I've had. The baba ganoush was smokey which was good. The pita bread was a bit burnt.

The lamb kebob was nice, the sumac chicken was also pleasant. I liked the spicy  spinach, but the fried potatoes were french fries with a bit of garlic parsley. Really?

The Turkish coffee is served in a cup way too big, and it defeated the purpose of Turkish coffee.

Our server was really nice and attentive.

Let me get this out there first.  I LOVE Middle Eastern/Mediterranean" food.  Specifically, Turkish food.  I have eaten it all over the world and go out of my way to find a Turkish neighborhood to find that special "hole in the wall" restaurant to fulfill my shawarma needs.   I have been waiting years for a place like this and  was excited when I heard it was opening.  I went with my family last night for the first time and have to say it was a bit underwhelming.  Bummer.
The place was packed, which is a good sign.  However, most new restaurants that open in Muncie are packed the first month or so.  II will also give some slack for the "so-so" wait staff.  Again, growing pains??
My wife had a few side dishes.  The eggplant was really good.  A big oily, but tasty nonetheless.  The stuffed grape leaves were excellent.  I ordered the lamb kabob.  It was good, but far from the best I have ever had.  I would most likely order it again.   My son ordered the "kid's shawarma", but was brought the full portion.  I guess the waitress didn't put together that a kid ordering it would constitute a kid's size.  Also fried potatoes are actually french fries.  Both my wife and I were confused by this.
I do think this place is one of the better places to eat in Muncie.  I truly am glad it opened in the sea of never-ending pizza places in town.  We need more international flavors.  My biggest complaint about Damask Cafe is that they should not try to "American-ize" the great dishes of Turkey.  Give me a shawarma that is like a real shawarma, not a chicken wrap.  You may be surprised that Muncie has a lot more open minded people who will welcome such fascinating flavors.  
If anyone from Damask Cafe is reading this, I give you a challenge.  I will come in there and pay double for a real shawarma.  I miss it and would love to have it served to me in Muncie, IN.