Such a nice middle eastern restaurant and market on Kenmore Ave. I stopped by for lunch and ordered the lamb kabob meal. While I was waiting I went over to the market to browse and saw some pretty unique Turkish items such as food, bread,candy household items,oils, pita. They also have meat store in the market. Anyway my meal was very delicious and was freshly made. I did wait awhile but I can't complain, the staff was very friendly and while I was browsing they took the time to translate for me, since I didn't understand the language written on most of the items. Plus I enjoyed watching the Turkish music videos, quite catchy. Lets just say I ended up leaving with way more items other than my lunch. I'll be back! read more

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It is a super market and restaurant joint operation. It got a lot of middle eastern snacks and beverages. Would recommend their wraps for a quick fix. It is kind off disorganized when you walk in but the people there are nice. read more

Sahara cuisine - Friend foods - Middle Eastern Near Me - Buffalo, New York

This place is literally disgusting -- the clientele and owners alike. No sense of hygiene or sanitation. Completely irresponsible and negligent. No one was wearing their masks and that was the least of the issues. Wouldn't be surprised if half the COVID cases in Buffalo started here. The owners have no sense of how to run a business. Waited in line for 15 minutes as they conversed with the woman ahead of us who TOOK OFF HER MASK TO LICK HER FINGERS TO SEPARATE THE PLASTIC BAGS. WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL. If that's what's happening in the grocery store, I don't want to know what the hell is happening in the restaurant. read more

AMAZING Mediterranean food! Tried the lamb shank and the lamb kabab platters. Both were flavored so well! The fries are super crispy, rice and hummus were also very good. I was honestly surprised to find such authentic tasting Mediterranean food in Buffalo. And you can't beat the price! The grocery section also has a ton of variety and lots of snacks and drinks. Will definitely be back for both food and grocery! read more

After stepping foot in this sanitary nightmare, I feel like I need to bathe in hand sanitizer. I actually am shocked at the level of negligence demonstrated by this place. There were probably about 10 people in the store including the guy behind the register and approximately 0% of them were wearing masks/wearing them appropriately. We walked in here on a whim and we made a huge mistake. We waited in line for 15 minutes as the customers chatted up the cashier and the lady in front of us (who was definitely in a high risk group of contracting COVID) pulled her mask down to LICK HER FINGER to get a plastic bag to put her groceries in. She also just blatantly walked in front of as we were waiting on line and put her groceries on the counter and then proceeded to try to pay for them with a NYS Medicaid card. What on earth is happening right now. read more

This place was, of course, originally an all-American butchers shop, called "Al's Salami." One day, due to excellent business, "Big Al" ordered a brand new sign for his storefront. But the designers completely mis-spelled his business name, and because he couldn't afford to have it re-made, instead he decided to rebrand his entire store, and change the concept. He got rid of the lunchmeat and Beef Jerky, and started serving up Kebabs in Pitas instead. And he never looked back. I pita the fool that doesn't like kebabs. This place is basically a Middle Eastern corner shop, full of awesome Asian goods and Arabian groceries and snacks and bits and pieces... it's not really an eatery. It's a grocery store ish type thing with a food counter at the back... they make excellent kebabs in pitas at said food counter, and incredibly cheap as well. Their shawarma is nothing short of delicious. Personal Experience: I've been in here only twice, both times I got a delicious shawarma, which is just about a 5 star (because of the price and the delicious taste) even though it's a little dingy and some people might not appreciate the decor, or lack thereof. It's the kind of place you'd expect to find in another country, if you know what I mean. It's not up to American standards of "shiny fake plasticness" which can be great in some genres of "stuff" but when it comes to food I think there's a negative correlation between shininess and taste. Maybe I'm wrong. It's happened before. Once or twice. Like maybe once. I think? Possibly. But the guys in here were pretty nice. Took forever to get served but very authentic and fun. When A.E. says Wegmans makes better hummus, you can automatically discount that (in my opinion) because Wegmans hummus isn't even real hummus. It tastes like processing and preservatives and vinegar and isn't even remotely like what hummus is supposed to be like, and can't even be considered hummus. It's white hipster knock-off hummus. Whereas the hummus here, whether you like it or not - is at least the real thing. Very unorthodox and unusual, and it will definitely put you outside your comfort zone if you're not a fan of trying very new and different environments and atmospheres. So if you're not the kind of person that likes to step outside the box, then you might be a bit put off by this place. But if that is the case, what are you even doing on Yelp? Stick to buying TGI & Applebees gift cards in Walmart. read more

Great authentic food. Plan on staying a while, all the food is made fresh, nothing is pre-made. The owner brought us tea, and Iranian bread, for free. He seems like a truly nice person. When you eat here, you are entering his "home." We had Hummus, Baba Ghanosih, chicken shawarma Wrap and a Fallefel platter, all for $25! Wow. We have been here before and will be going back. The owner also owns Shawarma City on NFB. read more

This place was taken over by Shawarma City. I don't know why they haven't changed their signage. The shawarma is the best in western N.Y. and very affordable. The pickle they put in the sandwiches is to die for! Spicy, vinegary, just amazing. I just wish they sold it in smaller quantities then a #10 can. This place also includes a small grocery store that sells middle eastern foods, spices and halal meats. Good place for hijabs too. read more

I had an impromptu meal here last night with my friend and one of her ESL students and his family. After our meal, I learned yesterday was opening night. I didn't order off a menu, I just asked for something vegetarian. The food was pretty incredible. I had stuffed grape leaves, a lightly dressed green salad, fragrant and spiced yellow rice, and the best bread, hot out of the oven. The bread was shaped a bit like a calzone, but with pointed ends. It was nearly as big as my head. I'm almost ashamed to say I ate most of it. I'm planning to return soon. The owner was friendly and very welcoming. There's a nice array of groceries that I'm looking forward to checking out on my next visit. read more

So Al-Salam Market and Grill is the latest entry into the rapidly growing Middle Eastern food and grocery springing up in Western New York. Located at the intersection of Kenmore and Elmwood, it boasts a bit of separation from the Hertel strip that contains so many rival establishments. I hope that that location benefits Al-Salam, provides many an incentive to visit it over the others, not that its offerings won't do so anyway. Al-Salam has the most comprehensive inventory of Middle Eastern foods and products I have yet seen in the Western New York area. In addition to the packaged foods, drinks, and frozen microwaveable items I have come to expect, it boasts an extensive selection of spices and an unparalleled variety of halal meats, of various cuts of lamb, chicken, beef, and quail. They do not butcher on site (as I was hoping when I first walked in), but their non-frozen meats all look quite fresh. Separately, I must add that Al-Salam possesses a commendable selection of non-food items, from household wares to hookah accessories and traditional clothing. So it's plus. The market aspect of Al-Salam is, I feel, the real focus of the establishment. Though seven or eight tables, all stocked with condiments, are set up at the front of the store, accessing the menu and ordering a dish may seem difficult to those less hesitant to ask, "What the heck is going on?" More on that in a minute. As with many local Middle Eastern joints, they offer falafel, shawarma (beef and chicken only), and a few other staples in both sandwich and plate form, the sandwiches being exceptionally cheap. ($3.50 for a shawarma sandwich!!) For sandwiches, your options are pita and the Iraqi samoon bread that Shish Kabab Express also serves. On my recent visit, I ordered the beef shawarma and found it pretty well executed. The beef was quite tender, albeit not as juicy or as well seasoned as I would have liked. However, the juxtaposition of the meat flavor with the fresh tomato and cucumber worked very well. The samoon, as usual, provided excellent texture. At $3.50 for a sandwich, I feel that Al-Salam provides fantastic value. Al-Salam is a community store. What I mean by that is that each time I have been there, I have found a number of other patrons kicking back and chatting amongst themselves, with the owner. Since this never otherwise happens except in a small minority of barbershops in Buffalo, I found the whole attitude of Al-Salam quite refreshing, the owner and other community members quite open. However, "store" is the operative word. When you enter Al-Salam, you will immediately see a seating area. But don't sit there. You'll wait forever and a day. Walk up to the checkout area, likely meet the owner, introduce yourself, and place your order there. So yes, Al-Salam is quite no frills. But there is one frill, the community-based attitude of the staff and patrons of the store. And there is quite a bit of value, both in terms of inventory and in terms of price points. 4 stars for grocery/market selection 3 stars for food 4 stars for service read more

Sahara cuisine - Beef shawarma on an Iraqi samoon with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers ($3.50 plus tax) - Middle Eastern Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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I am an avid middle eastern food enthusiast and I've had lots of authentic middle eastern food. I tired the 4 piece kabob place. The kabobs are supposed to be warm, tender, flavorful and these are not. These kabobs are definitely not worth it. The meat is not fresh and lack flavor. The hummus that comes as a side dish is atrocious (Wegmans makes better hummus). I'd pass on this place. The owners are friendly though but the food is just not worth it. read more

Yesterday i called and made an order of Kebab plate. When I asked how long will it takes, I was told to come in 10min. When I arrived at the store, (15min later) and asked for my order, I learned that it wasn't made!! Why???!? The worker said, they get some orders where they get a "no shows" costumers. Thats why he didn't make my food. There are so many way to handle such situation. He could've taking my name, phone number or other info, but he chose not to make my food. Until this place get better management, never going back there again. read more

Can't say enough about this place! Food was absolutely excellent authentic and full of fantastic flavor. Falafel, kufta, and grilled meats we cooked perfectly. Pricing is very reasonable for the amount we ordered. Highly highly recommend read more

Very authentic Iranian food. Fresh veggies, great naan, friendly service. Not really the kind of place for a romantic date, but great for high quality, fantastic value food. You might have to wait a tad longer than you might expect to, but that will give you time to browse the shelves of imported foods and desserts. read more

Before heading back to New Hampshire, I brought my boyfriend and his Aunt to Al-Salam to try their food. They are lovely people but consider Chinese food eating exotic. They LOVED their food!! They had the shawarma and his Aunt eve went back to get another!! The guy behind the counter was very helpful in introducing them to the food and what they offered. So this place will be my go-to place whenever I am in Buffalo!! read more

Great food. Their chicken sandwiches are delicious and only 5$. The sandwiches are pretty big. One sandwich filled me up. Also their rice and chicken dish is delicious HUGE portion size I could t even eat half. It's also a market they have tasty bakery items there for purchase. read more

The place may have been acceptable when it started but now it's just a sorry old has been. There are no customers there. I could tell, everything was covered in dust. A few reviewers even said they got stomach complications. That does not sound good. I went there once just to get an ingredient for an exotic recipe, and that guy's card scanner looked like to was from the stone age. And lucky me!! He billed me twice. I went back and told him about the issue and he absolutely refused to deal with it. I was ordered to go to the bank. As if I've got nothing better to do. His receipts don't even show the money he billed me. He said the money will get returned just go to the bank.Well guess who's not returning to that store. read more