Salam Market and Bakery

I have mixed feelings about this place, and unfortunately it’s not really close enough to warrant me going back several times to change my review, which is a mix of the grocery and the prepared pies/​pastries in the back (emphasis on the latter).
First off, the grocery itself is pretty cool. Lots of ethnic food that you’d likely be hard pressed to find easily elsewhere. I’m not middle eastern so I’m not sure if they have all the supplies a typical middle eastern cook would want. But it seems like they have some unique items I haven’t ever seen elsewhere. My experience is mostly with Asian groceries, which this place loses to for spices. Sure, there’s a great selection here of seemingly fresh ground spices (since it’s not in processed, national brand packages), but price/​lb for the spices seem pretty expensive. Granted I didn’t open an packages to smell them so I can’t say you’re not getting a superior product *shrug*. But still, Id feel like I’m overpaying for the spices. Other stuff mostly seemed reasonable. The pitas in the back were well priced. Between a large package of house made pita (seems that way in the nondescript generic plastic bag) and an imported dark chocolate kitkat, I paid $ 3.
The prepared food in the back is where I unfortunately give my somewhat lower rating. There’s about 9 different types of pies. I got a chicken kabob, shawarma beef, and a spinach pie. I thought the last one was spinach and cheese but misunderstood the guy due to his slightly heavy accent. I was standing in the back at the counter for several minutes though before I was even acknowledged. There were two people there, one being a butcher actively cutting meat for another lady and another gentlemen preparing the bread who looked at me several times and said nothing. The pies themselves were ehhhh ok. The shawarma one was definitely the best tasting, but it was kinda dry. The chicken was not dry but lacking salt and a good flavor kick. The spinach didn’t have enough flavor besides sour marination, sorta vinegary. The bread was kinda plain but had a good texture. Three pastries came out $ 8. A bit too expensive for what I got I feel.

Store is very clean. It is easy to find items, and they boast a variety of them. The bakery offers freshly made pastries. The staff are friendly, and very helpful.

The owner was really helpful during my first trip here based on a Unilocal email. I purchased a kebab stuffed pita as well as a falalfel stuffed pita… both were delicious and reheated well. The price was very reasonable and the pita’s are absolutely craveable. The butcher was also very friendly… the next time I need fresh lamb for a meal, I’m going to travel to this store… and buy a stuffed pita while I’m at it!!!

A real discovery, provided by the Alt Eats Tour of Columbus Food Adventures. The great variety of pies were delicious! They made an assortment of open-​faced pies (like small pizzas) with the various fillings they use in their pies so we could see. I’m going to buy a batch for my next cocktail party: intriguing, different, and very tasty! Home made pita breads looked really fresh. Bethia Woolf said the falafel (available only when Papa comes to cook) are wonderful.

After seeing Christina’s review I thought I’d pop over myself since I’m pretty close to the shopping center. At first I thought this was African but it turned out to be middle eastern which I’d have known if i’d have read a little further. To be honest I didn’t see anything that turned me on except for the pastries. I bought one that had a very spicy meat filling in it. And I stood around for a few minutes watching the butcher cut up some lamb. Anyway, this was probably my first and last trip. Not bad but nothing to write home about either.

I’ll be the first to admit that going to an ethnic eatery or grocery store is a little intimidating. Unfamiliarity can be quite uncomfortable, but please (pah-​leeze!) do not let this stop you from checking out what Columbus has to offer by way of ethnic offerings.
A huge chunk of Columbus diversity can be found along rt 161/​Dublin Granville Rd, which is where Salam is located.
Middle eastern grocery store in the front, meat pie makin’, pita bread bakin’ party in the back.
Any store with a variety of at least seven types of hummus is a winner in my book, but this place had aisles of specialty middle eastern foods. I didn’t know what half of them were, but the owner was so helpful! All I had to do was ask.
And, um the stuff they’re making in the back! Try it! Try all of it! There was amazing (FRESH) falafel that was so green and full of flavor, and an impressive array of baked pies. Go early though — they often sell out by lunchtime!