Salem Market & Grill in The Strip

Submitted by theherbpuffer t3_ydiqsp in pittsburgh

The best Mediterranean place I been to in my 10 years of living here and quickly becoming my favorite restaurant, period. Everything ive had has been amazing from falafels, gyro, chicken shwarma, beef kabab sandwich, hummus, and baklava. Although it always seems to be busy there and has more than 3k reviews on Google it doesn't seem to get enough love on here or in general. The best thing about doing gig delivery is finding amazing restaurants. This is probably my favorite discovery yet. Both the restaurant and grocery store are top notch and the staff is really nice. If you like Mediterranean food and haven't been here I highly recommend. That's all

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fadedrosebud t1_itsp6lr wrote

A few months ago someone commented here that their friend is a health department inspector who said it’s the cleanest restaurant they’ve ever been in.

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jimbo_kun t1_itt7sz8 wrote

Thank God, was getting nervous half way through that sentence.

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chb66 t1_itt1nhv wrote

Halal places don't fuck around.

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theherbpuffer OP t1_itsrlyc wrote

That's funny because when we walked in to the store after eating we immediately noticed how clean it smelled in there

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3a5m t1_itu4v7v wrote

I'm not surprised by that honestly. You can tell by the service that it's a tight ship. The staff, especially when ordering, are very helpful and patient, no matter how busy they are. In my mind, truly one of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh, and very probably the best value.

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mrex0112 t1_itt1pwu wrote

I would eat that food off the floor, it’s so good.

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pghgreatest t1_ituwm0t wrote

Word on the street is They had an issue with deer meat like when hunters bring it in for them to clean and cut. Apparently they didn’t have appropriate license to do that ?

But yea that place is always fine to eat never had any Issues

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AmlyGry t1_itsg942 wrote

I think they get great love on here. I have never read anything negative from anyone. They rave about the food and portions.

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theherbpuffer OP t1_itshkoq wrote

I've never really seen it talked about much on here but maybe I'm not the most active on this sub

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mvc594250 t1_itsokqx wrote

It's brought up constantly anytime anyone asks for the best gyros, halal foods, butchers, local businesses, or for where to go in the Strip.

It's a dearly and deservedly loved local business and it's duly praised here.

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purplegladys2022 t1_itsoueo wrote

Every time I go there I tell myself THIS time I am ordering something other than their chicken tikka masala. Yeah, still haven't gotten anything besides the tikka masala.

Maybe next time...

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Boolean t1_itszu3a wrote

Try their burger. Seriously. It's a hidden gem.

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BackmarkerLife t1_itthirm wrote

Don't order it through Grubhub or Doordash. it turns up in a sloppy mess.

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asirlurksalots t1_itufx6w wrote

they do a bacon cheeseburger with beef bacon that is up there with the best burgers in town

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purplegladys2022 t1_itunytm wrote

We always hear about their burgers, our sons are burger fiends, we will have to get their opinion on the matter!

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mazhas t1_itt3pon wrote

That and their goat curry has been my go to for years.

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vivolorosso t1_itvncxn wrote

Their biriyani is the best I ever had from anywhere. I'm a huge Biriyani fan and have had it from dozens of places globally. Salem's is still my all time favorite!

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Verniloth t1_itw74j6 wrote

You know what. Let me help you. They allow you to split entrees. You can get half Tikka and half anything else! I do this all the time with tandoori or chile chicken. (But I ask for Tikka sauce on everything) dang it now I want salems

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TheAbyssAlsoGazes t1_itsyc4h wrote

I love everything about Salem's food and culture. I'm excited for their second location to open in move to the Hill District next year. I was so glad to see their community contributions recognized by the city. July 17th is now Adbullah Salem Day in Pittsburgh!

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nicksloan t1_ittk39w wrote

It’s rare that news of a restaurant in town expanding doesn’t fill me with dread about what it will become.

This feels like something to look forward to.

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SidFarkus47 t1_itumz5a wrote

Are you sure it’s a second location? I swear the original news made it sound like they were moving.

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TheAbyssAlsoGazes t1_itunln9 wrote

It's definitely a second location. But I'm not sure if it will have a restaurant/grill or just market/grocery store. I hope it's both.

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SidFarkus47 t1_ituo3w2 wrote

“We’re extremely humbled and thankful for the opportunity, and that’s genuine, that’s not fluff talk,” said Abdullah Salem, the store’s owner. The family business began in Oakland more than 40 years ago, and currently operates on Penn Avenue in the Strip District. That location will close as the grocer moves to the Hill.

This is from WESA

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TheAbyssAlsoGazes t1_itup570 wrote

Say it ain't so! Oh man I'm sad they'll be leaving the Strip. Though I have to admit the Hill needs them more.

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SidFarkus47 t1_itvrrtk wrote

It honestly is kind of sad and confusing. The strip is in the midst of a housing boom and will likely have a lot more people living there in the next decade. I guess the same could be possible in the hill, but people have been saying that for like 50 years and it’s never happened.

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dorkwis t1_itw1ena wrote

Likely means their rent is increasing as well.

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Dancing_Hitchhiker t1_itvysct wrote

Yea that’s upsetting, I’m in the strip frequently and love stopping in. Never really in the hill district.

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N_G0614 t1_itsrb0m wrote

I definitely feel like they always get love here, however im certainly glad to give more. I order from Salems more than anywhere else, the garlic naan is always a must as a side car to any and everything else on the menu.

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theherbpuffer OP t1_itsro88 wrote

Will have to try the naan next time. The only naan I've had at a restaurant is Peoples Indian Restaurant and really enjoyed their paneer naan

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whethersweater t1_ittdpoe wrote

Damn you love it this much and you haven't even had the naan?? You're in for a TREAT

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theRegVelJohnson t1_itsxwg5 wrote

The nightly buffet during Ramadan is the shit.

The cheesesteak on garlic naan is a game-changer.

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sauceboss412 t1_itsrk4e wrote

Not only is the food amazing but everyone is so damn nice. they make you feel welcome and encouraged to try new stuff. The only thing I’ll complain about is it not being closer to me.

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PghKbl226 t1_itvyvsn wrote

So. Not only is their food to die for, they are incredibly good folks. I resettle refugees who require Halal meat and I am in the grocery store almost daily. Every time I come in with a new family, they welcome them, help them find the items that they like and give them a gift - sometimes it’s meat or a jar of fancy olives. They are patient when they are learning to use a new debit card and treat me like gold. The butcher will sneak over the to grille and bring me treats. I adore these people.

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AmlyGry t1_ityvltn wrote

Love hearing these unheard of behind the scenes stories. How wonderful to know of their kindness and generosity.

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thereandfatagain t1_itszhp5 wrote

Salem's does a great tandoori turkey for Thanksgiving!

Also their naan cheesesteak with lamb is the best sandwich in the city not made by Lucy.

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theherbpuffer OP t1_itt8cro wrote

Will put the lamb cheesesteak on the list. Thanks! Never heard of Lucy so will have to look in to that also

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GargantuanWitch t1_itunqkx wrote

It's been awhile, but Lucy's probably close to packing it in for the winter.

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whethersweater t1_ittdlp8 wrote

Low key the best fries in the city and very decent "cafeteria" style burger. My bf and I go, share a burger and fries there, and take hot bar food to go for dinner. >!!<

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whats_a_cormac t1_itt9bvt wrote

For Pittsburgh being a pretty French fry heavy town, this place has the best. Hands down.

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theherbpuffer OP t1_itt9oxu wrote

I have always wondered why most of the orders I deliver from here have fries lol must really be that good

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RoguePierogi t1_ittfofh wrote

I tell this to anyone willing to listen... Really anyone. I

Also that garlic sauce might be one of my favorite substances on the planet.

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TrueCR t1_ittsywt wrote

Wow, I saw this place on Uber eats and have been telling myself I need to physically go there and this post and comments are hyping it up.

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Verniloth t1_itw7kyj wrote

Yo. Actually amazing. Enjoy. It's usually so busy and lively.

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Sprussel_Brouts t1_ituini2 wrote

I really appreciate how helpful and friendly the staff are. I see that they are used to getting wide-eyed refugees recently and make it a point to take care of them. Warms my icy heart.

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PghKbl226 t1_itvze9e wrote

YES! I help these ‘wide-eyed refugees’ acclimate to the U.S. The family & staff welcome all my new clients with open arms and treat them like GOLD.

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SteelCityIrish t1_itsk497 wrote

Is this the same place that used to be on Bouquet St. in Oakland?

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antirrhynum t1_ituw9u8 wrote

Yes it is! Glad someone else remembers.

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SteelCityIrish t1_itvqtej wrote

Yup… we held down the back end of Atwood at the “Old Dirty Castle” back in the day. Coming up out of Panther Hollow on the city steps you could smell the goodness wafting down the street.

Good times!

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connors214 t1_itsur4e wrote

Throw a dart at the menu to choose what to order and you'll have something amazing.

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jagpu90 t1_itszibb wrote

Amen to this. We always try something new and never regretted its

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theherbpuffer OP t1_itt87zb wrote

Will definitely do this, thanks for the suggestion! Will try the suggestions on here to start 👍

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Silly-Donut-4540 t1_itt2sag wrote

Tandoori chicken on naan is my favorite sandwich in the whole city

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theherbpuffer OP t1_itt8vdg wrote

I know what I'm trying next. Thanks for the suggestion!

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sdoc86 t1_itt7hqd wrote

I’ve been going for about 16 years back when it was on South Bouquet and meals were 5-6 bucks. The consistency is amazing all through that time, only thing that has changed is more offering and more expensive. It’s still a hell of a deal though.

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theherbpuffer OP t1_itt8syb wrote

Yes I think it's fairly priced compared to other restaurants and considering inflation. A good size sandwich under $10 is always a win

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eggs_and_bacon t1_itumxwi wrote

Went to high school with Salem's son. All of the sports teams and student groups would routinely have fundraisers at lunch where Salem would make gyros all day. Gyro days were the best.

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guyonlinepgh t1_itvewim wrote

Get the grilled half fish. (Unless you only want filets, it's on the bone.) Couldn't get much better.

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scotts03 t1_itsy0x6 wrote

I eat here 2-3 times a month and I feel like it’s not enough

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JAK3CAL t1_itszihf wrote

Always dope

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Pigtattoo t1_itt499w wrote

Favorite spot here. Even the burger amazing. They should do pizza.

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theherbpuffer OP t1_itt8hcp wrote

I was thinking the same. Since I do gig delivery I will say EGE always smells and looks amazing, especially the pizzas. Have not tried yet but will one day lol

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randomlygenerated215 t1_itt8kq9 wrote

If you think Salem’s is good, try Habibi in Erie!

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theherbpuffer OP t1_itt99f1 wrote

I really appreciate that suggestion as we like to visit Erie once a year. 🙏

I'm also a huge fan of Pitaland in Brookline.

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Pump_Up_The_Yam t1_ituh2c4 wrote

Pitaland is two blocks from my house and Salems is two blocks from my office.

I’m spoiled rotten.

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apaloosafire t1_ittaptg wrote

I used to work on 31st street and would go there almost everyday, just give them my paycheck basically lol. Is sooo guuud

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drewzhrodague t1_iu02g7q wrote

>6 comments

Same, nice to work a couple blocks away from this place.

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messiurwhatshisname t1_itwiuqt wrote

Oddly enough, they also have amazing burgers and fries for a Mediterranean place

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nelphoto t1_iu2hvh5 wrote

I still need to get here!

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jeffykins t1_iu3nw6y wrote

Finally tried it on Wednesday! Amazing schwarma, and the chicken Tikka masala was pure delicious

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pghgreatest t1_ituw3fn wrote

The food is the best. I had issue with pricing on cater order , so if you ever do that make sure you get price and everything documented on email or text

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