Found Mediterranean Food in Naperville

[breadhound]

Just tried out a new place for Mediterranean food last night:

Mediterranean Oasis Mart
357 East Bailey Rd.
Naperville, IL
630-420-9507
Near Bailey and Washington - about a block east of Washington

This place has been open for about a month, and I finally stopped in last night. It was fantasic to find I won't have to travel to Andersonville in Chicago to stock up on those great Midde Eastern Breads. They had lots of varieties of fresh bread on hand, most from Chicago area bakeries on the south side.

They advertise the following types of foods: Arabian, Greek, Iranian, Indo Pak Groceries. (I even found some Puerto Rican spices I was about to order from the Internet.)

The store was a larger than the storefront would suggest. They had well-stocked shelves of wares from all over the region. Lots of the items had instructions in English. As I walked the aisles, one of the owners would warmly shout out suggestions for what items I was near. He came down the aisle to find something he wanted me to see.

When I got back to the fresh meat and deli area, he came back and offered me some delicious hot, sweet tea, while explaning his food. He even recommended which Palestinian bread would taste best with their hummus. He explained they offered homemade cooked items too, including shawerma and shish kabob. They don't seem to have a dining area. They also will do catering including stuffed lamb and poultry.

The had meats that were Zabitha Halal (prepared via Muslim dietary laws) and what appeared to be some religious items behind the counter. I didn't know those regions had sausages and lunch meats. I tried some mild Sucuk (soudjuk) sausage which had a zesty flavor - I even heated up some slices in the microwave. I imagine it would taste good fried up with scrambled eggs. I also tried some Cyprus Cheese, which reminded me of Spanish manchenga.

I'd like to go back soon to try the various types of couscous and some of the canned bean items. I'd also like to try some of the sweets.

The other owner was also very friendly and we had a nice conversation about how they created the store. I told him I'd like to come back and have him guide me on how to cook with some of the items. I don't know their hours, but they were open until 9 p.m. on the Saturday nice I went.

[CJT]

Thanks for the info. I've been looking for lavash and other breads in this area for a while without a lot of success. I'll check it out today (open on Sunday).

[breadhound]

Glad to find another bread person. The breads are in about 3 places in the store, so be sure to look around or ask.

[CJT]

I found Jerusalem bread, which is like lavash. This store has lots of Middle Eastern foods on the shelf. Did not try their hummus or other deli items, but will in future. You are right that the owner is very helpful. He explained to me different ways to prepare or use the lavash and I was in there for less than 10 minutes just cruising the aisles to see what they have.

[breadhound]

Glad you liked it. I'm partial to the Mafrood, which is a large wheel loaf. The Palestian pitas were very fluffy. With the recent humid weather, I've run into mold problems if a loaf is left out a couple of days, so I've been freezing it with excellent results. (I doubt the bread has preservatives.)

I'll have to try the Jerusalem bread.

Didn't like their tabouli - too much parsley for my taste, but the hummus is very creamy, the baba ganouj is smokey, and the Jerusalem salad is tasty.

Moved up to the pastries - flakey and dripping with sweetness.

[xena]

Have been wanting to get here since reading your post and finally made it. What a find! Yes, the owner was helpful and friendly and helped me choose what he thinks are the tastiest yogurt and labna. Tonight we're having a platter of Palestinian pita with hummus, baba ghanouj, tzaziki, parsley dip, labna, olives and tomato wedges for our super. I have lemon and mint to add. On the way out we grabbed warm meat pies to eat for our lunch and I'm finishing mine up now. Lamb and spices, very tasty. There is an amazing amount of merchandise within those walls and I came out with quite a bit of it. ;)
Will definitely be back and plan to make it a regular run with my neighbor who went with me and was also thrilled with it. She bought falafel dough and the mold and is making that tonight for her family.
Thanks so much for posting about it, we are so happy it's there!
Oh yes, the owner brought out little juice boxes of chilled mango nectar for us to drink. Sweet. In every way.

[Lilya]

I am so glad I thought to stop in here after seeing the little "Mediterranean Oasis" sign on the corner of Bailey and (can't remember the name of the cross streets). I am not terribly familiar with Mediterranean/near Eastern cuisine as might some of the posters here, but they have a lovely selection of some of the staples which looked fresh and delicious -- hummus, baba ghanouj, Jerusalem salad, and more. I'm proud to say that going in there hungry certainly does not hurt!

I did not get to speak to the owner but his son was very kind in helping me figure out a few things and the chicken shawerma was delicious. They have a lot of different options which far exceed the "quick snack" choices otherwise in the area, and I'll be slowly working my way through the menu. The kabobs sounded especially good and they make them up very quickly; my order was processed right away.

The couscous selection is something else. I totally recommend stopping in as I don't think there's anything like this and that shop occupies a much bigger space than first appears.

[stephg]

This place is fantastic. Hummus is creamy and nutty, BG is smokey with right hit of garlic. Also tried the parsley dip, Jerusalem salad, falafel, shawerma, kibbeh, and the cheese and meat pies (up on front counter) and all are fabulous. Agree owner and staff are very helpful and friendly. It's a thrill to just go buy this, because I can say first hand what a pain in the neck this food is to cook. My sis-in-law always says they should make criminals cook it in prison and there wouldn't be any more repeat offenders.