$9 - sandwich It was a little before 9 a.m., everyone in the…read moreworking world was in full swing. But not me, I was inside North Park Produce as a customer. I hadn't expected to be swooned before breakfast, but I was. It started with a glance at the deli counter. Behind the glass counter you can see the glistening meats turn slowly on the spits. I knew it was early, but I asked for a chicken shawarma wrap. "Five minutes," the man replied. And just like that, he was gone. After five minutes a woman appeared in his place, calm and unreadable. She told me she couldn't make a shawarma, but she could make me - and then she said something in her native language and made a motion with her hands. These were words I didn't recognize. Not even close. "I'm sorry, what?" I asked. She repeated it, as if I didn't hear her. I listened again, and I still didn't understand. There was a pause between us, but I was completely captivated. She said, "It's a sandwich". I nodded and smiled. "yes, chicken, please." Then it began, she went to the baker, giving him instructions, he began shaping a fresh loaf just for me. I watched, transfixed, as the dough came to life in his hands before disappearing into the heat of their homemade tandoor oven. Moments later, it emerged, warm, blistered, and perfect. She was there to catch it, like it belonged to her all along. She took it and split it open, gently, then added the chicken carved straight from the spit, as it was still turning. On to fresh cucumbers, crisp onions, a generous smear of garlic and yogurt, a dusting of spices. Nothing was careless but she was mechanical and every movement deliberate. As I watched, I know that she made the sandwich with a quiet care and with her hands as if every step mattered. When she finally pressed the bread together and wrapped it, there was intention in it. That was something made just for me. I didn't see any like it written on the menu. I took it in my hands. It was still warm. I could smell it and decided I wasn't going to wait long before first bite. Sitting at a table outside a coffee shop, the first bite was everything at once, juicy meat, crisp veggies, rich yogurt. The warm bread pocketed with the great flavors unfolded in a way that felt balanced and complete and brought the whole experience alive. It filled me in a way I hadn't expected, like a fleeting connection that somehow lingers longer than it should. The whole experience felt almost intimate, because she had taken it upon herself to make it truly satisfying. Each bite was unconscionably shaped with thought and attention. While it wasn't love, it was more like a morning fling. Definitely one I didn't plan and the kind you don't question. But it's the kind that leaves you full, a little dazed, and already wondering if you'll ever find your way back to something so satisfying. That particular store may seem a bit offsetting for some. It might be its location. Or the decor. It is shaped more by culture than design trends. There is a lived-in charm to it where authenticity matter more than polish, and every corner feels like a small piece of home. The workers communicate in generous, full voices of their native language in an open way. It's not an angry or offsetting way, but they are very open and at ease in their environment. I also really enjoyed the $9 a la carte lamb shank and the French Feta-style cheese if very rich and creamy. Both get thumbs up!

Disappointing Customer Service Experience…read more I've been coming to this restaurant since the day it opened, which is why this experience was especially disappointing. Earlier today, I ordered 40 shish beef kabobs and spent nearly $400. After driving six hours back to Las Vegas, I opened the tray and discovered that all 40 pieces were chicken kabob instead of beef. Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of the chicken, so I contacted the restaurant hoping they could help resolve the mistake. I first spoke with a woman who I believed was a manager, but she was unable to assist me. I then asked to speak with a manager and was connected with a gentleman named Nazzar. Instead of listening to my concern and trying to find a solution, I was told that I was essentially lying because he claimed the kitchen had not sold chicken kabob that day. I was very frustrated by that response, especially after spending nearly $400 and driving six hours home. I sent pictures of the food along with my invoice as proof of my order. Only after that did the conversation change, and I was told that he was not the manager. I asked to speak directly with Sarmad, the owner, because I wanted to address the situation with someone who could actually resolve it. I understand that mistakes happen. What matters is how a business handles those mistakes. Unfortunately, the way this situation was handled was far more disappointing than receiving the wrong food. Being questioned about whether I was telling the truth rather than having someone simply listen and help left me feeling extremely disrespected as a longtime customer. I'm not writing this review to create an argument. I'm sharing my experience because I genuinely believe customer service should be just as important as the food. After being a customer since the restaurant first opened, I expected much better. I hope management takes this feedback seriously and uses it as an opportunity to improve how customer concerns are handled in the future.

I don't recommend this place Adderall. They are very dirty place. Most of there staff expired make…read moresure you check the expiration date. Make sure to check the stuff before you eat it. I went there two time I had one time cheese and chicken cheese where expired and chicken was old the person in front at the register he's very good and mean I don't thing he was Iraqi. I think he was from somewhere in middle eastern. I will never go back to this place.

Main St. in El Cajon has become a hub for Mediterranean/Middle Eastern grocery stores and another…read moreone has opened, Big Bear Produce. What an adorable name, right? They even have a bear on their big, bright signage. For me what sets them apart is that they're a full-service market compressed in a smaller, easily navigable space. They have a hot food section offering beef and chicken shawarma and a handful of other dishes like lentil soup, rice and potatoes. They make their own bread and baklava (they're pretty good!) and also have a meat section with halal/non-halal meats. The staff here has always been friendly and greet me with a smile when I walk in. On one occasion when I picked up some beef shawarma, the lovely lady threw in two complimentary sammoon bread with my order! How sweet of her :) btw they cut their shawarma really thick here...and it's always been very moist and nicely seasoned. Delish! Produce is fresh and reasonably priced. It may be limited at times, but they always have a decent selection. It's my new favorite Mediterranean grocery store.

I love their food here. I have had their shawarma sandwich as well as their Maskoof and its always…read moregood. I would definitely return for more food options.

The ladies at the food service are always so great. Amazing attitudes, and always so helpful.read more

I like this store. It has had major upgrades recently. The staff are friendly and greet you with a…read moresmile. I love the fresh produce and they often have sales that come straight to your phone. The ambiance is clean, bright, and the produce looks to par with places like Vons and Ralph's. I would definitely recommend coming here and will shop here again.

This is my first time shopping meat there, but they make me so disappointed! I bought chicken wings…read moreby pairs. The Staff member only picked the Chicken drumettes for me . Only two mid-joint wings are I picked! Are those mid-joint wing actors? The bag is so dark red that I can't see them really well when I was there .Otherwise I won't take them back home

Great afghan market with a variety of groceries including a butcher, fresh afghani bread and you…read morecan even order food. Definitely stop by when in the area.

Honestly, one of the worst burgers I've ever been served. The burger was poorly put together,…read morewrapped horribly, messy, and looked like nobody cared about the presentation at all. The food was disappointing from the moment I opened the wrapping. For the price, I expected something fresh and properly prepared, but this was nowhere close. I genuinely don't understand how something this poorly presented gets served to customers. I would not recommend this place to anyone, and I definitely won't be coming back. Save your money and go somewhere else.

Everything went very well today, we had our family gathering every month at this restaurant. Today…read morewas absolutely amazing. The service was excellent, and the food was delicious!!! Everyone at the restaurant is extremely nice and kind, strongly recommended.

Product is good I come here regularly but some of the staff is rude which is crazy as coming here…read moreto support them and they don't even want you in there Edit: Stop putting the bread in plastic it ruins the product when you try and tell the staff they get annoyed but they have to be able to listen. The product is good people drive very far to get the bread but learn how to properly store it

Small little market/middle eastern bodega. Walked in today and was pleasantly surprised at how…read moreclean and organized it was. I bought some of their items from the bakery since couldn't resist the smell. My kiddo loved it and I'm sure of when I'm in the neighborhood I'll be stopping by again.

This is a very good market and a great service are very fresh and I get almost all what I needed…read moreand just one stop in this market I highly recommended very reasonable prices to

The staff was friendly and the price fair. The food we purchased was absolutely delicious!read more

It's my favorite place where to get fresh Halal meat & chicken on fair prices , it is clean place…read moreand they use cleans tools ,also they are very friendly .