Editor's note: Muncie Origins is a Ball State Daily News series profiling various businesses that originated in Muncie.
Four years ago, the Muncie area was at a loss for Mediterranean food. It was a void local business owner Basam Helwani decided to fill.
Damask, a café located across the way from Scheumann Stadium, serves to provide Mediterranean food and customs to the inhabitants of Muncie.
Helwani started Damask in 2013 when his daughter moved to the area and told him there was no place to get Mediterranean food here.
Helwani decided Muncie would be a good place to start this restaurant based on his daughter’s want for one and a focus on healthier eating.
“When I first moved here a lot of people had no idea what falafel is or what hummus is, so now it’s really a global trend of healthy eating, rich in olive oils and garlic,” he said.
Helwani is originally from Damascus, Syria, which is were he got the restaurant's name. The menu consists of Syrian-inspired dishes that range from flank steaks and salads to baklava and kufta.
“What we are trying to do is bring a culinary eatery, kinda European and Mediterranean food to the Muncie area,” Helwani said.
Since its opening, Damask has won Taste of Muncie twice.
Hookah is a big part of Mediterranean culture. Damask provides hookah and outdoor seating to comfortably accommodate that feature.
The café appeals mostly to business professionals, Ball State faculty and a select group of college students, Helwani said.
In early 2016, Helwani decided to buy property in the village, retrofitting The Locker Room into what is now known as Two Cats Café.
Sydney Matic, a junior psychology and criminal justice major, has been working at Damask for two years and also worked at Two Cats when it opened.
“The environment is great and I enjoy working with everyone here. [Helwani] really makes working here a great experience and he works with my school schedule very well.”
Damask is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Read More
Cowan baseball's offense shines in win against Wes-Del
By David Moore / 9 hours agoCowan will be on the road for another conference game against Shenandoah (5-2) April 18, with first pitch is set for 5 p.m. Wes-Del will play their fourth game in four days as the Warriors travel to Randolph Southern (1-3) to battle the Rebels in a conference game with first pitch set for 5 p.m.
Student Government Association Swears In Several New Cabinet Members
By Meghan Braddy / 11 hours agoThe Student Government Association (SGA) hosted its spring inauguration Wednesday afternoon. During the ceremony, several new members of the upcoming administration for the 2024-2025 school year were sworn in.
Ball State softball swept by Miami in mid-week doubleheader
By Nick Shelton / 20 hours agoMiami (OH) swept Ball State softball in a Mid-American Conference doubleheader April 16. Ball State heads back home to First Merchants Ballpark for a three-game series against the Akron Zips, which begins on April 20 with the first pitch set for 1 p.m.
