$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!

There's always something to learn about here. Check out the brown basmati, omancik, and baldo rice…read more I had to Google the second two rice varieties to get their descriptions and how to use them. I bought the brown basmati rice and can't wait to try it. I'll be back for the other two!

When you walk in, you are welcome with so many wonderful pastry. It will be hard to decide. Next to…read moreit there's fresh food and fresh bread. We came late at night around 8pm so they closed the kitchen and we just bought ready food, fruit, and some bread. I tried the chicken mandi and that is so flavorful. There's ginger, garlic, and other spices on the rice. The chicken is so tender and moist. We also bought some bread with cheese.. sorry I forgot the name, but that was so delicious. 2 for $5 and it makes a very good snack. The place is small, but bright. There's so many fruits, vegetables, and ready food. It's hard for me to get around as I have a walker due to a recent surgery so I couldn't look at everything. From a couple things that I've tried, I really enjoyed it and will be back to try more things.

Fantastic variety, questionable food quality, and a lovely bakery and cooking area…read more As a foreigner to middle eastern food, I actually really loved this place a lot. I had thought I wouldn't find a good place in San Diego when I first moved here, but I gotta say I was impressed. The only thing keeping me from a 4/5 star review was the cashier person didn't seem like they knew what they were doing and plain grumpy, and the green vegetables do not look all that fresh. But I will be coming back in a week or two and I'm sure my impressions will boost this rating, see you soon!

I love everything about this supermarket! The staff is always friendly and helpful. My man doing…read moresecurity treats every person coming through that door with dignity and respect and does it with a smile...and DEEEEP bellowing voice. The store is always clean and stocked and great prices. They're redoing the hot food seating area and I'm stoked to see it. All of the prepared food I've had here has been delicious.

This place is the place to be ! Decent prices , many, many options . I gain 10bs just looking at…read moreall the choices .. and it's soo worth it ! Great service. Clean and festive ambiance !

Great service and huge portions. Worth the drive from Chula Vista. I would def recommend.read more

Ordered a baked Tilapia that is advertised to be fresh, it for sure was not fresh.. it had a bad…read moretaste and smell. Will not order again.

I have been here twice and i keep coming back because the flavors are authentic…read more I've had the honor of trying the beef schwarma and gyro and both are superb. I feel the flavors of the establishment feel very at home and i can stop eating here The two gentlemen who have helped me portrayed outstanding customer service and i was welcomed to try their cuisine which i will most humbly obliged Shukran

I had such an amazing experience at Gyro House! I ordered the chicken shawarma plate and honestly…read moreit was the best thing ever. The chicken was perfectly seasoned, super tender, and full of flavor. The rice and sides paired with it so well, and everything tasted fresh and homemade. The portion size was great and the staff was friendly and welcoming, which made the whole visit even better. I'll definitely be coming back again soon. If you're thinking about trying the chicken shawarma plate, do it--you won't regret it!

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

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.

WOW! Delicious food (High Protein Bowl and Salmon Bowl) and excellent service from Luma! She was so…read moreaccommodating and friendly! I'm so glad we rediscovered Urbane Cafe as my husband used to go to the one on Moreno Blvd near his office. Now that he's working from home, we kind of forgot about it but he was craving a grain bowl. So, off to my Yelp search and there was Urbane Cafe in El Cajon. We'll definitely be going back again! The prices are very reasonable too. They make healthy food taste good! Thanks again to Luma!!

The bacon in the club sandwich was very dry and chewy. Bahn mi sandwich was good. I liked the…read morepickled carrots. I do NOT recommend the Mediterranean bowl. Does not taste "Mediterranean". They added some kind of weird spice to the hummus so it tasted more like spicy barbecue sauce, and the sweet potato and kale was a bad mixture. The place was clean and the service was fast. Unfortunately the food itself knocked off multiple stars.