
WELCOME TO HEART OF JERUSALEM CAFE
Due to a job transfer with his government job, Hussein AbuKhdeir and his
family moved from the Bay Area in California to Colorado Springs in 1998.
The family quickly realized that, aside from driving to Denver, there was
no restaurant nearby that offered authentic food from their Jerusalem home.
Mr. AbuKhdeir and his wife began to dream of opening a restaurant that offered
fast, affordable, yet absolutely delicious Middle Eastern cuisine.
After the September
11 attacks in 2001, many United States officials became suspicious of Arabs
in governmental positions, and in 2005, Mr. AbuKhdeir lost his clearance
along with the family’s main source of income. He and his wife wondered
if the time would come when they would be able to open the restaurant at
all.
Then, in 2007,
their ten year dream became a reality and they opened the first Heart of
Jerusalem Café in Manitou Springs. The rich flavor of their falafel sandwiches
became an immediate success. God had shown favor to the family and provided
the means for both their needs and dreams.
In 2008 the opportunity
arose for them to serve the downtown area as well, and they opened their
second location. With good friends, two outstanding business partners, and
excellent business at their new location, all seemed well for the AbuKhdeir
family. However, more difficult times lay ahead. One of the tenants above
their Manitou location began to complain about having a restaurant below
his home. Though much effort was taken and all required changes were made,
the family could not seem to please the tenant, and in the Spring of 2008
the Manitou location closed. But once again, God showed mercy to the AbuKhdeir
family and within a matter of days after closing the business, the three
and a half year battle with the government was won and Hussein AbuKhdeir
received his clearance back.
This past December,
the AbuKhdeirs decided to open a new location in northern Colorado Springs
on the corner of Austin Bluffs and Barnes. Though the first location will
always hold a special place in their hearts, they are honored to serve this
newer area of Colorado Springs. Mr. AbuKhdeir and his family work hard to
provide the best Middle Eastern food the Springs has to offer!
Today's SPECIAL!
Manitou Springs Location- 1/2 Off All Milk Shakes