Local Restaurateur and Downtown Fixture Dies

We can't count the number of times we've headed up to 9th and Congress for a little lunch-time falafel or some tangy baba ghanoush to go alongside our green bean salad and gyro. Our destination: Marakesh. For the past six or seven years, when you went it to the Middle Eastern restaurant, you were always certain to be met by the smiling face of owner Samir Saadeh. Saadeh was always happy to chat with the locals about the weather, politics, his family, your family, whatever. Sadly, Sunday Samir passed from a massive heart attack. He leaves behind a loving wife, Abir, she of the dark, enigmatic eyes who was always a friendly face at the counter when she would work the restaurant.

Saadeh moved into the old Longhorn Po-Boys location after running a Mexican restaurant in Round Rock for years. He still lived up north, but he wanted to be closer to the heart of the city, amongst the people that made the city pulse with life. Samir was definitely one of the people who brought a distinct personality to downtown. Lunch-time downtown will never be quite the same for us.

He will be missed. We suggest anyone who has loved Marakesh, along with those of you who have never had the pleasure, head down to Samir's restaurant in the coming weeks to eat some delicious food and support his family by supporting his business.

Service Arrangements for Samir Saadeh
Visitation 5 p.m. and services 7 p.m. today, St. Elias Orthodox Church.
Burial 10 a.m. Thursday, Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery, Pflugerville. [map]
Arrangements by Cook-Walden, Lamar location.

*Image (c) Matt Wright*