Tasty Middle Eastern meal at Family Food Mart

Take Out

Friday, January 1, 1904

The Order

We chose one chicken shawarma, one lamb shawarma and four grape leaves. Cost was $13.

Always on the hunt for a new place to eat, especially a place with something a little out of the ordinary, I offered to meet my son near his job at Eastgate in Brainerd for lunch. The Family Food Mart around the corner from China Moon is primarily a place to get mostly Middle Eastern groceries. They also have a small deli/kitchen in the back with a few tables and some chairs.

The place is not set up for large-scale dining in, but for the two of us it was like dropping in to someone's kitchen. We ordered a chicken and a lamb shawarma and split them in half. These are essentially wraps filled with spiced meats. We also got four grape leaves stuffed with rice, meat and spices and split those.

The items were previously prepared and were heated in the microwave when we ordered. They were served with a small side of lettuce, tomatoes and a yogurt-based dipping sauce on a china plate.

It was a tasty diversion in a very casual setting.

We also could have ordered the baba ganoush or the falafel and will do that next time.

Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6354.