Ann Arbor - Aladdin's Market

[cafemonamie]

My husband and I were shopping at Aladdin's Market, located in the small strip off of Packard and Platt Rds. While we were in the store, they happened to bring out some fresh samosas from the back. We picked up a few of the chicken and beef samosas. They were very delicious with a light, flaky crust and a good proportion of filling. And, for $1.25 each, you can't get much better than that. They were a lot better than the ones I had purchased at Foods of India (off of Broadway and Plymouth Rd.) They also had some fresh, warm Mountain Bread that we quickly snatched up. It was sold in a bag with two round loaves for $1.99. I've never had this bread before - It reminded me of a softer, slightly less chewy version of focaccia. With some German ham and cheese that we purchased at the Euro Deli a few doors down, we had ourselves a fabulous sandwich.

What I also like about this place is that right next door is a Middle Eastern produce and fruit market. They often carry a nice variety of fresh produce like Quince, Persimmon, Meyer Lemon, Eggplant, Yucca Root, fresh walnuts, etc. It's a great place to get a variety of produce at cheap prices. However, I've noticed that they don't always stock the best quality products so you'll have to survey all your items with a keen eye to avoid getting something that is not very fresh or bad quality.

Aladdin's Market
3188 Packard Rd.
Ann Arbor MI 48108

Enjoy!
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[brittle peanut]

The Sunshine Market down the block, freestanding (which had all manner of groceries and a meat counter but not produce) did indeed close recently, but it's actually no relation to the Sunshine Produce Market I was referring to.

Also, the Nabalee Market across the street changed owners and has been renamed Golam. It now has fresh meat (previously only had frozen) along with produce and an assortment of grocery items.

I heard what's coming on Platt/Packard is a Walgreen's. We'll see. Anything has to be an improvement over that sorry liquor store that was finally leveled.

[brittle peanut]

The produce store next door is called Sunshine Market. There are quite a few produce markets in Ann Arbor with bargains on produce; Sunshine is one of the best for cost/quality. They rarely have anything of bad quality.

If you are interested in breads, you should head to
Mediterranean Market
4019 Stone School Rd
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
[phone]

They have a giant oven going all the time with a man making and baking breads. Great pita bread.

[annex]

Sunshine International Market (standalone building next to Mary's Chicken and Fish) closed a few weeks back. There is a smaller produce shop just west of Aladdin's, which I believe the OP was referring to, still open.

Does anyone know what they're building at the corner of Platt-Packard? Just wondering if the ethnic grocery/restaurant district is expanding...

[coney with everything]

Does Mary's still make fabulous cheese steaks and onion rings? Loved them when I lived in Ypsi, but it's been 18 yrs.

[annex]

Whoops, to amend my above post. There were apparently two Sunshine's - the one next to Aladdin's is Sunshine Produce, and is still open.

[Jim M]

I love that place. Good beef shawarma pita with tahini. Great rice pudding. Cheap bulk nuts. Excellent selection of dates. And keep an eye out for saffron in little tubes behind the cash register.