Damascus Kitchen — Restaurant in Salem

In Salem, at Fork Forty, there's a small slice of Damascus. Forget whatever you think you know about Middle Eastern food in the States; this is the real deal. From the moment you step up to the counter, the staff is a well-oiled machine, friendly, focused, and passionate about what they're serving. There's no pretense, just a genuine desire to put out excellent food. The preparation is where they separate themselves from the pack. The lamb shawarma isn't some anemic, dried-out meat. It's rich, flavorful, and shaved with precision. The lamb over rice is a revelation—tender, succulent, and served over a bed of perfect rice that soaks up every drop of flavor. And the supporting cast? Their in-house hummus and tzatziki are not just afterthoughts. The hummus is creamy, a perfect balance of tahini and chickpea, and the tzatziki is cool, tangy, and a necessary counterpoint to the richness of the meat. This isn't just a meal; it's an experience. It's a testament to simple ingredients and honest, expert preparation. Damascus Kitchen is a find, a place that delivers on its promise...

Waited 40 mins for them to even start my food , I had ordered a kabob plate with a side of falafel after 20 mins I went up to check on the food was told it would be 7 more minutes, at this point customers that had came and ordered after me were getting there food I asked about it again after 35 mins was told 3 more mins and to wait after I asked for my money back , 5 mins later they had served another customer and JUST thrown my kabob on the grill. I could understand if there was a problem or they were out but it was never communicated I got the run around several times and was the only person in my group who didn’t eat a 40 min wait in any setting is crazy and no explanation and I had to ask 3 times for my money back because I could tell they did not want to refund me but they would not make me food or tell me why my food wasn’t being made the whole experience was weird and frustrating...

I've had this craving for Middle Eastern food for the past week and Damascus Kitchen did not disappoint!

I ordered a Damascus Chicken - generous helping of chicken and that soft pita! It came nicely wrapped in a folded paper plate so you could open it up and hold the sandwich better when eating it.

My husband got a lamb wrap. He loves it!! It looks great too, and the sandwich is grilled on the outside.

We also ordered a portion of chicken plate to-go for the next day.

The owners are generous; we were still tucking into our food when the lady owner came to our table with a plate of freshly-cooked falafel! drools

And later, the gentleman owner poured us little cups of hot tea. My lucky day, praise to God!

If you're ever at Fork Forty, and you cannot decide what to have, either of the above will not disappoint you.

My only regret was not packing away some baklavas. But hey, I...