Big Bear Produce

worst place to shop from most of the products its very bad bought 5 bags of bagila and bamia all bad went to trash right away..as a cleaning wise to far from clean and sanitary

Main St. in El Cajon has become a hub for Mediterranean/Middle Eastern grocery stores and another one 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.

Worst place to eat on this planet. To top it off, it took them 25mins to make french fries!!!! I'd rather eat McDonald's.

YELP should offer a " no star " option for this reason. Big Bear Produce needs LOTS of help !! Let me start by saying, there are MANY Iraqi Markets to choose from in El Cajon. And all of these Markets have the same exact products. Usually the only difference comes in the quality of product in the " fresh meat " section and if they have a deli/kitchen (which they all have). This week Big Bear Produce has ground beef (who knows what the fat/meat ratio is) for $1.99/lb, so that drew me in. Once inside, I found a few other deals that I decided to partake of, and then I found their deli/kitchen. They had Chicken Shawarma on sale for $1.99/ lb, and beef or chicken kabobs for 79 cents each. Wow ..... What a deal right? WRONG !! First.... The Chicken Shawarma was so dried out, and had a VERY sour taste to it. I'm not sure about you, but I have NEVER had Chicken Shawarma that had a powdery texture to it. When you tried eating it, it dissolved in your mouth. Really?? It was unlike anything I had ever eaten. Then came the kabobs....I was excited that they were on sale for only 79 cents each. Usually you pay 99 cents each for Chicken, and $1.25 each for beef. So this price was perfect..... But unfortunately..... the kabobs were far from it. They were over cooked and were SO SMALL, it looked like they cut a regular sized kabob in half. Then to top it off..... The " Manager " offered to give us some rice for free, for ordering so much food. That would have been fine, but he gave us a container of yellow rice that was so dried out it was CRUNCHY when eating it. Now having gone to Culinary school, I know you DO NOT serve Customers this quality of food !! The Health Department would have a field day in this place, considering there are no times/dates on anything there and food under the lamps look to sit out all day long. My advice........ AVOID THIS PLACE !! If you head further East on Main Street, you will find Valley Foods. Their deli/kitchen is the absolute BEST in El Cajon.

Best place for Halal meat. I only buy the chicken but its better than any chicken anywhere in town. The produce is decent for a small shop, really only good for squash, melons, lemons, and tomatoes. Their avocados are always bad, but they have a decent deli with cheese and breads and Its honestly the only way I can afford food. Bless this establishment, they have fed me well for very cheap and kept me alive, I really appreciate this store and their prices.

My family and I have been going to this place for years. I have never been disappointed in their product or services. I highly recommend this.

I used to love this place. There were some times when I was there every day of the week buying something. I would drive from Lakeside to go there because of the service, the quality and the price. I will never go there again. The last three times I've been there those who spoke Arabic (Aramaic) got served first and I had to wait, even though I was there first. This last time I even spoke up and said that I was there first but the person behind the meat counter and the person ordering looked at me then looked back at each other and continue to speak Arabic. They got served and I voiced my displeasure. This is no misunderstanding play as the three women locked up there and the person at the meat counter a block from the back. They were not being helped prior.

They're very good people & very good & cheap food they have good kabab shawarma & other Iraqi staff thank you so much

I don't recommend this place Adderall. They are very dirty place. Most of there staff expired make sure 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.

This store provide fresh fruit every day of the week . I've gained weight back due there nutrients diet they have and kosher meat