14 • August 2013
The Homewood Star
Homewood’s ethnic markets By Intisar Seraaj-Sabree Food can lift one’s spirits, take your taste buds to an unexplored place and make you feel at
home. As an ethnically diverse city, Homewood offers several alternatives to chain grocery stores,
Mediterranean Food Market 430 Green Springs Highway, Suite 6 942-1777 Monday-Thursday & Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 2:15 p.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. -6 p.m.
Best known for their halaal meats — or Islam’s standard of kosher — Mediterranean Food Market is well-known in the local Muslim community for providing wellcleaned meats since it opened 15 years ago. “[The store] targets the ‘eat clean’ movement,” said 24-year-old Muhammad Mubarak, the store’s butcher. “When people try to eat healthier, you see an increase in this kind of thing.” Although Mubarak describes the store as “one of Birmingham’s best-kept secrets,” it has plenty of non-Muslim customers.
“People come in unexpectedly,” he said. In addition to halaal meat, this market offers sweets from Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, olive oil from Palestine, fresh produce and hookahs. “Be prepared to be surprised,” Mubarak said. What it offers: Mediterranean and Middle Eastern In their own words: “It’s like bringing back the taste of home for international people.” Best-selling item: halaal meat Unique items: lamb tongues, seasonal lamb’s head and goat
giving customers a chance to internationally enhance their taste buds. Featured here are a few.
Constantine International Foods 166 W. Valley Ave. 945-6001 pita.net Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Since 1996, Constantine International Foods has offered the community freshly baked pita bread as its best people-pleaser. Owner Naji Constantine acquired the restaurant and bakery in 1996 and has grown it to include a market and wholesale warehouse. Customers can find the market attached to Naji’s Pita Gourmet restaurant full of a variety of Middle Eastern foods from places such as Iran, Israel and Lebanon. Samia Emaish, Naji’s older sister and general manager, said customers
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prize the availability of products the market provides. With an online store where customers can grocery shop also, Constantine’s strives to bring the people exactly what they want when they want. What it offers: Middle Eastern In their own words: “We’re always open to suggestions.” Best-selling items: pita bread and halaal meat Unique items: British candy, manaqesh, kishk, Baba Ghanouj and shawarma What’s to come: continued growth in product availability
ALABAMA
877-8797
Wayne Salem, Owner
2913 18th Street S.
Monday–Saturday 6:30am to 3pm www.salemsdiner.com
Salem’s Summertime Special
Grilled Tilapia with Sauteed Onions, Peppers, and Tomatoes