ZipPicks Awards
Best Middle Eastern in Portage Park
Master Critic Review
Middle Eastern Market (Aswaq Kan Zaman)
7.6
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A Middle Eastern grocery and specialty shop that’s most useful for stocking up on staples—spices, sweets, olives, and pantry goods—with occasional prepared-food runs. Treat it as a quick, practical stop for hard-to-find items rather than a destination meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma plate, Assorted Middle Eastern sweets, Olives and deli-style prepared items
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: A local Middle Eastern market for pantry staples, sweets, and quick prepared picks.
Who should go: Home cooks and snack-first shoppers
When to visit: Midday for easier parking and browsing
What to order: Prepared plate if available, sweets, olives/spice staples
Insider tip: Shop one savory staple + one sweet item each visit to learn it.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free strip-mall parking lot directly in front; generally easy access.
Dress code: Casual—errands attire is completely fine.
Noise level: Low—quiet retail environment with minimal background noise.
Weekend wait: No wait—this is a quick in-and-out market rather than a sit-down meal stop.
Weekday lunch: No wait typically.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—wide range of vegetarian pantry items, dips, breads, and sweets.
Vegan options: Yes—many naturally vegan staples, spices, legumes, and packaged goods.
Gluten-free options: Yes—select packaged gluten-free items available; labeling varies by product.
Best For
Better for: Stocking up on Middle Eastern pantry staples, spices, olives, and packaged sweets at budget-friendly prices.
Consider Alternatives If: You’re looking for a full meal, table service, or a dedicated prepared-food experience.