Keep Kasbah's Open

If you have ever met Chef Naji of Kasbah's Moroccan Cafè in Portland, Oregon, you know he is passionate about his craft and cuisine.

 

What you might not know is Chef Naji was trained in the King's Palace in Morocco, cooking alongside some of the best cooks in the world. His career has spanned several continents, countries, and cities. He has cooked for world leaders and foreign dignitaries, elite international athletes, and even Lady Gaga.

 

Kasbah's takes up a corner in the historic district of Old Town//Chinatown in Portland, Oregon, the multicultural epicenter of the Pacific Northwest. Chef Naji serves up traditional Moroccan cuisine and currently manages the entire operation primarily by himself, with a bit of help from his wife and mother when necessary.

 

The pandemic has been extraordinarily hard on Naji and his young family. For a business that relies on foot traffic generated by bustling tourism and office workers, Covid and volatile street conditions in Old Town//Chinatown have significantly impacted his business. Despite the increased violent crime rates, property damage and loss due to window breaks and theft, and no daytime foot traffic, Chef Naji has managed to keep his doors open.

 

Last month, Chef Naji sustained injuries to both wrists from overuse, and was told he needed surgery to continue cooking. However, closing his doors for this procedure and ensuing recovery would ensure that he would never open the doors of Kasbah's again. And it would mean the permanent loss of one more vital cultural cornerstone in Portland.

 

But we can help--

 

cover his rent.

 

cover his operating costs.

 

cover his lost income.

 

cover his surgical costs.

 

cover his recovery costs so he can return to the work he loves without worrying about if his business will be there when he's better.

 

For the Love of Old Town,

Old Town Community