Last call for Joe's Shish Kabob: Fall River restaurant sold and slated for transformation

FALL RIVER — There's a serious case of the Mondays going around, especially for fans of a popular local Middle Eastern restaurant.

The city will soon be saying goodbye to a longtime go-to for Lebanese and Syrian cuisine, according to a post on Joe's Shish Kabob's Facebook page Monday morning.

"As many of you know, Joe's Shish Kabob has been on the market, and it is with a bittersweet but excited heart that we announce the formal sale of our beloved restaurant," reads the announcement.

For nearly two decades, Joe's Shish Kabob has been a culinary gem at 275 Martine St., located along the Watuppa Pond.

It was put up for sale in June of last year by owners Bashir Alahmar and his daughter Brittni, following Bashir's decision to retire two years after taking over the eatery.

'It's bittersweet':Owners of Joe's Shish Kabob selling business after two-year run

The father-daughter duo purchased the restaurant from former owners Joe Assaker and his wife, Hana'a, with the goal of carrying on Joe's legacy — keeping the restaurant name and not straying from the traditional Middle Eastern recipes loved by Joe's customers since 2006.

Upon announcing the family's decision to hand over the reins of the restaurant, for personal reasons, their hope for the future of the Joe's space was to see it retain its identity as a Middle Eastern city staple — known for its shawarma, baba ghannouj, hummus, fresh Lebanese and American-style salads such as tabbouleh and fattoush, falafel, meat pies and kebabs.

"In a perfect world that would be our blue sky," Westport native Brittni Alahmar said in a 2023 interview with The Herald News.

However, it appears there are some big changes on the horizon for waterfront city spot.

Starting in August, when the new owners officially take over, it will become 9 Star International Asian, American, and Spanish cuisine, according Monday's Facebook post from the Joe's Shish Kabob Team.

"We are deeply grateful for your incredible support over the last three years, and it has been a true pleasure serving you," the post reads. "We wish you all the best and hope you continue to enjoy great meals and memories with the new incredible owners."

According to the announcement, Tuesday to Friday will be Joe's Shish Kabob's final days in business.

"We warmly invite you to stop in, say goodbye, and share one last meal with us," the post reads.