<!-- wp:image {"id":5663} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/IMG_0982-1024x706.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5663" /><figcaption>A staff member at  Damascus Gate poses beside the 'chicken back' sign.  </figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Frowned upon in some households, being designated only to make chicken stock or soup, chicken back has long been a survival food for the island’s poor.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>However, there was no shame in the ‘garrison’ delicacy when it was proudly displayed on the blackboard menu outside Mediterranean restaurant Damascus Gate that is located inside the Devon House complex.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":5664} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/IMG_0992-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5664" /><figcaption>As the sign says, chicken back is prepared in various ways.</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>It is a major head turner for some Jamaicans who walk by and a source of fascination for many of the tourists who visit the popular landmark with hopes of buying trinkets and eating the world-famous ice-cream.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>“I’ve never heard of chicken back,” remarked one US visitor, who was seen<br> enjoying the boney delight at a bench in the courtyard, noting that it was<br> tasty but only provided a slither of meat.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>A worker from a nearby store remarked that she had been having it for lunch each day, despite her place of employment providing lunch.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":5665} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/IMG_0994-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5665" /><figcaption>Inside Damascus Gate is simply a work of art.   </figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The rave reviews, following the addition of the non-traditional menu item, is a welcomed relief for restaurant co-owner Angella, who shared candidly that the business was on the verge of closing its doors.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>“We had to do something,” said Angella, who noted that her workers had long encouraged her to sell chicken as a way of ramping up sales.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":5666} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/IMG_0991-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5666" /><figcaption>The staff members at Damascus Gate are welcoming.  </figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Angella explained that it was no easy endeavour to persuade the complex’s management to allow her to sell chicken - let alone chicken back - as she is exclusively licensed to sell Mediterranean food.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>However, beginning in August, she got the approval of Devon House’s management to include the item on her menu. This small change, she said, is helping her to turnaround her business.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->