Manitou Springs Restaurant Guide

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 Cafe 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 off of Austin Bluffs Parkway. With good friends, two outstanding business partners, and excellent business at their new location, all seemed well for the AbuKhdeir family.
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!