Valley Foods Mediterranean Market- lunch in the store

See other posts about Valley Foods here and here.

The mmm-yoso!!! gang (Kirk, ed(from Yuma) and Cathy) all are busy finalizing details for Thanksgiving Day, while tying loose ends at work and making plans for seeing family and friends for days of meals, thanks and visiting in just a few days. Cathy has a short post.

Hi.  The Mister and I have been busy planning some meals we are going to share this week and dropped in to Valley Foods, a Mediterranean Market, twice in the past week to grab a quick lunch (and some fresh flat bread, sammoon bread, kebabs, chicken, canned fava beans,  chickpeas, fruits and vegetables).  Here are some photos.

Falafel Plate ($6) Fresh made fluffy falafels, served with pita and pickles and fresh hummus,  tabouleh and pickled mango sauce. I always buy the falafel here.  

Schawarma Cheesesteak ($4.99). Yes.  The beef schawarma is heated on the grill with onion and green pepper and cheese.  It really tastes good this way, with the schawarma seasonings.  This was unexpectedly wonderful.  

.Here is a cross section view of the fresh falafel, so fluffy and delicately crisp. It's a meal or an appetizer (or a snack if there are leftovers to take home). 

The other day we decided to get the kebab sandwich($4.49) and some polo rice($2.49)- there was about a pound of saffron rice topped with sliced almonds and raisins in one *large* styrofoam box, which we ate with both the properly seasoned, juicy, grilled kebab sandwich made with the fresh house made sammoon bread which was topped with onions and sumac. (and we had leftover rice for breakfast the next day) 

This is the Schawarma chicken platter ($7.95) Pita, tahini, hummus, pickled turnip, shredded lettuce, red bell pepper slices and a huge portion of fresh hot chicken schawarma.  A meal for two or two meals for me.

There is a fountain serving pomegranate juice and other beverages at the register, but sometimes I don't want sweet, and after Kirk mentioning ayran, a yogurt drink he enjoyed on his vacation adventure in Greece and Turkey this year, I was curious as to what that flavor point was and began drinking (and craving and eventually making my own) ayran this past summer . Buying 'Yogurt Drink' sold here is very similar- salty and sort of watered down yogurt.  The mint flavor is not predominant in this brand (and the blue bottle by the same company is labeled as ayran) and these beverages are found inside the store- we have been trying something new with each meal we eat here. I do think the salty yogurt drink is complimentary to the foods we get here.

Now, more planning for Thanksgiving!

Valley Foods 1275 East Main Street El Cajon, CA 92021 (619)749-8355  Website




 

 

Comments

[Carol]

The Schawarma Cheesesteak looks so good! I could certainly go for one right now.

[nhb]

Never been a fan of yogurt drink. I just don't get it I rather eat it.

[Cathy]

It's an excellent sandwich, Carol. Fresh bread made right there helps.
It doesn't taste like yogurt as much as it is salty, nhb. It 'goes' with the hummus and bread and spices in the meats. On its own, I would not drink it.

[nhb]

Have happy and stuff holiday mmm-yoso!

[Cathy]

Thank you, nhb! You have a really good day too.