Palestinian restaurant owners in Denver use cuisine to preserve culture

Palestinian restaurant owners in Denver are using traditional cuisine to preserve their heritage and raise awareness of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank. Ibrahim Dahleh, the 67-year-old owner of Phoenician Kabob on East Colfax Avenue, uses his business to showcase unique Palestinian dishes such as Makloubeh, a layered rice dish, and Manakeesh, a traditional flatbread.

Dahleh, who lived as a refugee in the West Bank as a child, views the presentation of his native food as an essential way to counter attempts to erase Palestinian culture. To enhance the authenticity of his menu, he employs chef Amera Yousef, who incorporates specific Palestinian specialties into the restaurant's offerings.