Mediterranean Market

As I've just moved to the area, I've been exploring my new town and checking out the Mom and Pop-type stores. I love me a good Mediterranean market, so I was excited to check this one out.I walked into the tiny store, and the two owners (I assume) looked at me like I'd come in to rob the place. I smiled and said hello, said I was new to the area, etc. and set to browsing around. I was followed. Everywhere I went, the wife(?) followed me. (Because a 60+ year old woman driving a Honda is so darned scary?) Finally she asked if I was looking for something in particular, and as I was standing in front of some olives, I said "Oh, good! I need Kalamata olives!" I grabbed a jar of the overpriced olives, and started for the register. I grabbed a package of pita, too and noticed they were still warm. Score!I tried to make small talk about the weather with the gentleman at the register, but no luck. He wasn't having it, except to show me his phone to show me it's 105° outside. (Believe me, I know. I just came in from that heat!)I paid up and beat it out of there.On my drive home, I opened the package of pitas and was amazed to find that you CAN actually make bad pita. It was flimsy and thin, and TOUGH to chew. How can you make tough pitas?? I suspect the warm packages were because they'd been outside, not because they were fresh. They're literally inedible in their current form and will have to become pita chips or go in the trash.Their meat case was mostly empty, and I saw no produce. I don't know where other reviewers have shopped , but it wasn't this place. It's literally a tiny storefront with two rows of shelves. I won't be back. Too bad, because a good Mediterranean market is a treasure, but this place isn't it. You can't treat your customers with suspicion and expect them to return.

For years I've been curious about this little Middle Eastern Market but until now I hadn't gone inside, plus, there's a comparable market, larger, closer to home. I didn't want to buy pita bread from Trader Joe's or a grocery store and this place wasn't far from where I get my hair cut so....It's smaller inside than I thought and the fresh meat market looks like it's been closed since 2020, definitely non-functional presently. There are, however, frozen alternatives in the freezer section. I found the pitas outright in front, then I asked the lady working which Bulghur wheat is best for making Tabouleh, that ultra fresh-tasting salad of parsley, mint, cucumber, tomato, green onion, and lemon juice. Yum! She indicated that the #2 grade was likely best, and it's not terribly expensive either. In fact many items here are cheaper than the place in Riverside. I wandered around the store and acquired a few things and eyeballed some stuff, such as dried Broad Fava beans. The spices are always fun to browse too and I saw some rarer ingredients that I may go back for sooner than later. All-in-all, it was an inexpensive visit and worth the effort, especially to prepare for tomorrow's Bro Night with kabobs, Middle Eastern sides (basmati rice, Tabouleh, and garlic sauce) and elegant wines.

Parked in front of this business in hopes to buy a few water bottles & pita bread but while being parked for about 30 seconds. The owner comes out pointing & yelling to the sidewalk "MEDITERRANEAN PARKING ONLY." I give a thumbs up from my car, look down at my phone & look back up & he's still standing there screaming, telling me to move my car. First of all, your Yelp page says you closed an hour ago, but you're on parking duty? Okay. Then you can't give me more than 35 seconds to get my kid, & pregnant body of of my car. No wonder your store is empty & your two sacred parking spots are open..you're rude & psycho. Thank you for letting me know, now I'll go to another market. (:

This place is a gem! They have everything I need, including Sadaf spices, feta cheese, lebne, grape leaves. Support your local shops instead of corporate stores! The guy who works here is always soo nice, too!

Came in this morning and found all my food I was looking for ! Great prices and the man at the front is so kind ! You can also order lamb from New Zealand and goat from Austria ! How cool is this ? Will be back for more of my goodies !

Great prices and fresh merchandises, very friendly staff,Highly recommend. I love coming here often to get all my groceries

Has everything you need. Real imported olive oil, meats, pitas, spices. Has a great selection of tea. Best humas in ridgecrest. Now I do not have to drive down to the San Fernando valley to get these items.

I came to this establishment looking for some treats/cookies. The owner was so upset that I parked in one of the two spots designated for his market. I told him I was coming to buy some treats but after the way he yelled at me that I will be taking my business elsewhere. He said if I came to buy then come buy and if not then go. I chose to go. I would definitely not recommend coming here. If anyone has a similar situation happened, can you please post other recommendations for Mediterranean markets. Thank you!

I love this place. Very fresh meat. Veggies are nice too. Love the options of spices cheeses and hummus. Oh and pita bread!

Expensive, and not that fresh. Service is good though. I recommend to buy only vegetables.