10/28/25 1:00 p.m. Walk-in/Take Out Food: Our food was delicious! Everything was so full of flavor, and the portion sizes were great for the price. It all tasted so fresh, and the baklava was absolutely to die for! My husband was unsure as to which one he should get, so the gentleman working recommended the selection of baklava that we got. I am so glad that he did because all of it was phenomenal. Service: The service was great. I definitely feel as if they went above what would be considered basic service and were all incredibly friendly and pleasant to interact with. They were quick and efficient and definitely knew what they were talking about. Ambiance: Being a smaller international-type grocery store, it was really pleasant and comfortable to be in. The selection can be overwhelming, but not in a bad way. There is just so much to choose from, and I feel like every time you go in, you will find something new that you didn't see before. The selection of items they have is incredible. It's not overly noisy either, and it smells amazing as soon as you walk in. read more

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I wanted to guve this place 5 stars but it falls short on communication. The store staff is amazing and very helpful but I was never told that they kitchen closes at 3 and when I came back for the food I was told the kitchen is closed and I couldn't get my food. I drove 1 hour 15 mins just to come to this place. Other than that items are well stocked and there are alot of options. The prices are fine, some are a little high and some are less than other places. read more

Pammel Grocery and Deli - International Grocery Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Perfect service and goods! My favorite place for Halal food. Reliable and delicious. Good ambiance. read more

Pammel's is a hidden gem in Ames, and has been around for a while. While it is a very good (small, 3 aisles) international grocery store complete with all manner of spices, grains, and ingredients, the Deli in the back is AMAZING!! It is small, and can seat maybe 16-20 or so. It also isn't "fast food". But, it is delicious! Their gyros and crinkle fries are the best in Iowa, and their samosas are top tier too. When you go, you order, grab a drink, eat your meal, and THEN pay. The close knit family and friends that own and operate the deli provide exceptional service, know their regular customers, and track how people are doing. It is as good of an experience as you can ever find in any small town around the world. And seriously, the gyro and fries are just incredible! read more

Their tandoori chicken gyro dinner is a must-try. Sorry folks, I gobbled it all no photos read more

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This is definitely my favorite spot in Ames! Pammel is a hole in the wall grocery store with a little deli in the back. They serve incredibly delicious mediterranean food at a very reasonable price. The owner is incredibly friendly, which just adds to an already extremely positive experience. There's really not much else to say, you're gonna want to come here if you are looking for delicious food and friendly people. Definitely check it out! read more

Pammel Grocery and Deli - International Grocery Near Me - Ames, Iowa

If you've lived in Ames and never been to Pammel, you're missing out. It's one of those places that feels like only the locals know about, and it's a gem. Best gyros I've ever had in Ames are here. I normally get the gyro dinner which is gyro meat and rice; Pammel makes the best rice pairing w their gyros. The rice is always light and fluffy, and is great comfort food. They have non-meat options, burger options, and many more. I should start exploring their menu more but I always keep coming back for the gyros. Staff is friendly. Food and grocery items are at a reasonably price. Food is amazing! I have no complaints (: read more

How have I not reviewed this place? Gyros, lamb, hummus, all the good stuff. All done amazingly. The only time I was disappointed was when I ordered the sandwich spicy. And it wasn't so much disappointed as I WAS ON FIRE! It was still tasty. The owner still grins at me when he asks if we want our food spicy or not. He knows. It's also a great grocery store, we get a lot of stuff from them. Really, one of the best in Ames. read more

Wasn't to sure about how to get here- the pin was a little off. Not your typical place you would think to find in Ames! They have a huge selection of grocery items as well a deli. I ate at the deli with a few friends- is is an open area and can take a while but it fresh and made to order. See my photos of my food. Yum read more

Pammel Grocery and Deli - Fresh - International Grocery Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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Found what I was looking for. Mango pickle and lime. Freshly made Tabouli. You have to call ahead for that. They need an hour because they get busy. I ordered two orders so I would have enough for the week. Also got a couple orders of hummus and pita bread. Had a lot of things on the menu that looked good. So I will be back for takeout. All the great reviews for this place were spot on!!! read more

Pammel Grocery and Deli - Tabouli - International Grocery Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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One of the best restaurants in Ames. Even though they struggle to maintain their top quality on a consistent basis, I've generally been very satisfied with the food here. Their very reasonably priced steaks are a must try for everyone read more

Pammel Grocery and Deli - Steak dinner - International Grocery Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Good sandwiches. Good groceries. Yah yah. Tell me one other place I can get amazing middle eastern food! read more

Love love love! 1. The food is fantastic. I have never had anything I haven't liked. 2. The family that own the place are super kind and are quick to offer samples of various foods (perhaps that's because we are regulars, though?). 3. The market is fairly priced and have a lot of variety of items that i can't find elsewhere in Ames. The spices are where it's at! 4. Just go. You won't regret it. Now I want Pammel..... read more

Without a doubt the most overlooked gem in Ames. There's such a huge variety of food available, and the gyros here are insaaaaaane. The owners are some of the kindest people I've ever met - last time I went in for a gyro, the owner gave it to me for free for no reason but to make my day So yes, now I'll stay loyal to Pammel Grocery forever read more

This is one of my favorite restaurants period. It just happens to be in the back of an ethnic grocery store. It is always near the top of the list as a go-to favorite for my wife and I, even from 20 miles away. I've been to Middle-Eastern restaurants in much larger cities and this is the the yard stick by which all others are judged. Sure it's in the back corner of a grocery store. Yes, it's a no-frills dining area, and self-service drinks. The halal quality food here is the star, and it's so bright. The owner is very helpful in guiding new patrons and old to what is good, and how it should be prepared. The gyro meat here is the gold standard example of how it should work. Artfully created by hand and carved off the rotisserie to order. Couple this with exceptional tzatziki sauce, and some optional chili peppers and your are face-to-face with the most compelling gyro sandwich within hundreds of miles. The falafels are the lightest, crispiest and best tasting I've found anywhere. The consistency, freshness and mild flavor of the hummus here has ruined me for anything else. They've ingeniously created several combos over the past year or so that allow patrons to experience their best items. I first time visitors' best bet would be the Gyro with Falafel Dinner, or the Kofta, Hummus and Falafel. My personal favorites are the Gyro and the chicken kebab. This is one of the absolute must-try eateries in Ames. read more

Pammel Grocery and Deli - Menu. - International Grocery Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Stellar food and service. Incredibly flavorful and the staff was very friendly. The spicy gyro was as good or better than any I've had!

Soooo glad there's a piece of the Middle East in Ames. I love their hare care products, as I abhor the "ethnic hair" and "texturized hair" sections in Walmart and Target. I get my coconut oil and other needs from Pammel, and if I'm hungry get some yummy lunch as wel. Try it all, it's delicious! It's a tight fit around the grocery, but the deli is spacious. It's a nice little spot where you'll see Middle Eastern, African, and occasionally South Asians shopping and congregating. read more

First, the food. Y U M!!!! It a great place to go for Greek deliciousness. The meal doesn't disappoint, no matter what you get. And if you want to go with a friend that doesn't have much of a sense of adventure with food, chances are they will find something basic and delish as well! Next, the groceries. Love! Reasonably priced with a unique, hard-to-find-elsewhere goods! From giant bags of black sesame seeds to things most of us midwesterners have never heard of, you can find it all! They specialize in Greek and middle eastern food and goods. Lastly, the people! I love the people! You can tell they care about their customers and take pride in their business and their work! I love this place! Grocery in the front. Restaurant/deli in the back. Grocery check out is by the food counter. Go here and support this awesome business! read more

We finally ate lunch here today after hearing about the amazing gyros from a friend a few months ago. What a mistake it was to wait so long! It's a little strange to walk in here for the first time, the front is a small grocery store with shelves. But once you get to the back there are several tables and a counter with a menu board. We were greeted with a very welcoming smile that made us feel good about the experience right off the bat. I ordered the gyro special that comes with 4 falafel, rice, and tzatziki. My boyfriend ordered the gyro sandwich and added feta and fries on the side. There are a few refrigerated cases full of all kinds of drinks and you pick what you want and it is added to the bill later on. After ten minutes or so our food was brought out. First, I tried a piece of the gyro meat alone. I have been to many amazing Greek restaurants, authentic and family owned, as well as Greektown in Detroit. This is by far some of the best gyro I have EVER tasted. It was juicy and melted in my mouth with the best flavors. Neither of us could get over the fact that the best food in Ames, Iowa just so happened to be in the back of a family owned grocery store! Besides the meat, the falafel were cooked perfectly, the french fries were some of the best I've ever had, the pita was grilled hot and delicious, and the tzatziki was excellent. This is the type of food where it tastes just as good at the end of the meal as it does from the start. You know when you eat something that tastes good the first few bites, then after awhile it's just food to put in your stomach? This isn't that kind of meal. This is perfection to the last crumb. The owner/cook came over and asked how everything was and we couldn't tell him enough how impressed we were and that he has a true talent in the kitchen. It seems like his family members are here as well and add a positive vibe to the whole meal, you can hear them laughing and talking to one another in the background. To sum it up, if you are in Ames, Iowa and you want amazing food, get to Pammel Grocery and order a gyro. You will want seconds. read more

Pammel Grocery and Deli - Gyro plate with falafel - International Grocery Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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Best place to get great Middle Eastern cuisine in Ames! The Lamb biryani is very tasty and something that's not offered often (as a special), the Lamb Kabob is always a good dish to try, aong with the gyro sandwich. But if you're not looking to dine, the grocery area is also nice to browse around for spices and other ethnic items that you don't see very often. I highly recommend this place! read more

Delicious gyros and other middle eastern foods. Lovely family run establishment with friendly staff. Lots of great tasty surprises on their shelves, and other sundry goods (my teenager gets her henna supplies here) read more

this place is wonderful! they are so sweet & their food is delicious. they were out of hummus & baba ghanouj when i came in and offered to make a fresh batch for me! also got pita, falafel, walnut baklava, pistachio baklava, & mini rose pastry. 10/10 recommend everything. great place to get takeout or just pick up some groceries! read more

Pammel Grocery and Deli - hummus, baba ghanouj, pita, falafel, baklava, mini rose pastry - International Grocery Near Me - Ames, Iowa

The best hidden gem in Ames. At first when you walk in, you'll see dry goods lining the walls, and might not even realize that the best food in Ames is right around the corner.. walking to the back though, you suddenly see people crowding into the small dining area and smell the aroma of delicious food being cooked. Honestly, being a vegetarian, I never stray from the Greek salad, pita and hummus with a samosa. I walk away full & feeling like I ate a healthy meal. Which bring me to my next point, being that it is within walking distance from ISU! The owner is extremely friendly and wants to serve his customers the best he can. Hands down, this is my go to place in Ames for a bite to eat. If you haven't been to Pammel, I don't know what you're doing with your life. But don't get the craving for pita & hummus on Monday's!! You will be disappointed- but only because they are closed that day, which I always seem to forget. read more

This place is such a hidden gem. Every time I go the food is so delicious and authentic. I typically get the gyro dinner, and trust me get it spicy. The staff is also so kind, and the restaurant is always very clean. The service is also very quick, and there's take out! Overall I won't stop coming to this place, and I can't stop myself from telling everyone about it! read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE the gyros here. This is a favorite spot in Ames for sure. The price of Wendy's but most definitely fresher and better. I love coming here because the family that owns this place is always so nice I love coming here to support them. Great to eat-in the store OR take-home. read more

In the back of this foreign-foods grocery store is an amazing little restaurant. The food is awesome. If you don't know what to order, just ask Ahmad for "food" and let him surprise you. It's hard to go wrong here. The atmosphere is very familial with his whole family running around, including his precious little girl who is simply adorable. The setting and ambiance are reminiscent of a small delicatessen. There is absolutely nothing fancy about the decor, definitely not a date-worthy venue, but a great place to sit down with a group of friends and have great food. read more

So many awesome ethnic snacks you can't find anywhere else in Ames! I also love how they have Veggie samosa's just waiting on the counter for you, so if you need a delicious snack of an impulse buy or just want to samosas for lunch they got your back! The staff is great! I actually ordered 150 samosa's from here for my wedding, they did a great job on them and they got eaten pretty fast so I know they must have been good! I did not get one but hey, it's ok! The staff at this family owned establishment is always super nice and the deli in the back is awesome! Great food, great prices, and awesome environment! It might not look like much but it's got it where it counts! read more

Pammel Grocery is Ames' best kept secret. You would never suspect that behind the wall of an international market in a run down strip in Ames that there is a counter that makes the most mouth-watering gyros and kebabs. The market itself is great and a really excellent source of international foods and things I as a 1st generation American have not had since growing up in my Italian grandparents' home. They have lupini beans for heaven's sake! They also stock baklava made by a local lady that is flaky, buttery, nutty, sweet, and just like home. The deli counter, though, is where this place really shines. I think I've had everything on the menu, but my favorite is the chicken kebab platter which is served with rice and a salad. The chicken is slow cooked, moist, and flavorful. It has wonderful Mediterranean spices and a nice lemony finish. I'm salivating now. The wait can sometimes be long if there are a lot of people, but it's nice to peruse the aisles of the grocery while you wait. Go to Pammel grocery, walk straight back to the counter and place your order. Ignore the look of the building, the chairs, whatever else; you're in for a treat. read more

Sweetest little family owned deli you ever did see! The food is FANTASTIC. Served hot and fresh to order. If you're in the mood for something Mediterranean, get the Gyro Dinner or samosas. If your in the mood for something more american, their Gyro Cheeseburger puts B-Bops to shame. Don't leave without a Baklava or Rose Finger! Can honestly say it's some of the best food in ames. read more

The restaurant in the back is really where it's at. I was craving food I tend to eat often in California while visiting and found the reviews here on Yelp so I decided to give it a go. I was not disappointed -- the falafel, pita and hummus are top notch. I will be back here before my visit ends! read more

Pammel's deli serves the best gyro sandwich. You will always receive great service at this family owned establishment. There are plenty of great grocery items here which cannot be found anywhere else. read more

I LOVE Pammel Grocery and Deli! I've never actually bought anything from the store but the restaurant's food is incredible! Had their gyro, chicken shawarma, and gyro dinner (meat over rice) and everything is amazing! Flavors and portions are more than worth the price. The staff are great as well! Very nice people. I think my boyfriend and I have officially made this our weekend staple. read more

Very friendly service. The second time I came in, the man who had helped me before was helping another customer, but he recognized me, smiled big, and gave me an enthusiastic wave. Every time I've been there, the people at the counter have been friendly and helpful. AMAZING gyros--and you can order them spicy or not spicy, which means it works for everyone. Great selection of drinks, from coke and sprite to cold ginger tea, geranium soda, mango soda, etc. And let me do you a true favor: When you pay for your food, pick up a bag of jerky. These folks own the Stanhope Meat Locker, and their jerky is honestly the best I've ever had. Beautiful smoky flavor, spicy without trying to burn your tongue, has almost a "melt in your mouth" quality--which is doubly amazing for jerky! Don't forget to go shopping after you have lunch. They have lots of great products that can be hard to find, and at great prices, too. This place is our new source for paneer, ghee, and a bunch of other great ingredients. read more

Hidden gem of Ames! Wander to the back of the grocery store and discover the best gyros and fries in Ames. It's a bit of a wait, but it's worth it - or call ahead and pick it up! Friendly staff, delicious food. read more

Pammel Grocery has the cutest little deli in the back. The menu is very ethnic and they also grill up a great burger and fries. Very loyal and diverse clientele make this s very busy place with many different languages spoken. They serve a great gyros sandwich. Note: they are closed from 12-2 pm on Friday. One of my favorite places! read more

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Matt E. provides a nice overview of the breadth and depth of this gem of a grocery in Ames. I'll take up where he left off with a review of their tasty little restaurant in the back. Pammel Grocery runs a modest grill in the back of the store where you can order a number of delicious dishes, from kabobs to gyros. I stopped in on the recommendation of a colleague and was thrilled with my gyro dinner to go (lamb, a lot of savory rice, plenty of tzatziki sauce, onions and tomatoes). Everything is prepared to order while you wait. The proprietor, who prepared my dish, said that the gyros were their best item with the cheeseburger a close second--go figure! I might actually try that next time. Browse the grocery shelves as you wait for your order. I also recommend adding a samosa to your bag from the counter as you pay to leave. They're yummy. If you want, you can eat in. There is a modest dining area to the left of the grill area. Complimentary hot tea is provided. read more

I had the Gyro salad today, I m a visitor from food Capitol San Diego, so I am kind of expecting more, I did wait for 10 minutes for my food at 12:30 which kind of seems peak hour here. Lot of Indian groceries to buy. Bit noisier inside the restaurant, at least 50 people can seated at a time. Clearly they don't the capacity of serving all of them at given of 10 minutes. U can kind of figured the crowd is here because of the foods quality, if u have time it is worth waiting and having food. read more

Pammel Grocery and Deli - International Grocery Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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You like boss Middle Eastern food? Then you need to try this spot out. Located at the back of a grocery store, it screams - "I'm legit!" Great options for carnivores and those who haven't realized how good meat is yet, alike. read more

We've been going to this place for years. So fresh, exploding with flavor, authentic. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but inside is a treasure trove of spices, overseas foods an ingredients. And then there's the restaurant in back. To. Die. For. My husband lives for the gyros, but the chicken schwarma is my go-to. It's serves in what I can only describe as an Asian tortilla then fresh toasted. Pickled turnips, an incredible sauce, and just HINT of mint. The fries are darker holder, so crispy goodness. But the hummus! Obviously handmade, super fresh, I wish they sold it by the Oz, I would buy it by the quart. The family that owns the place comes from Pakistan, so it's that style. A little more rustic, a little more root vegetable based, but SO GOOD. Highly recommend if you like Mediterranean. And reasonably priced! read more

My simple review is this: 1) Portions were good (not large, not small) - but skimpy on the lamb 2) Price was extremely reasonable 3) Service was decent 4) Atmosphere was fine 5) Taste was great! Overall, I thought it was good and I will be back. read more