North African/"Arabic" market recommendation?

Had breakfast at Icosium Kafe this morning--the subject of another (yet to be written) post. To accompany my crepe with eggs and merguez, I asked for some harissa. I was impressed with what they gave me: hot without being incendiary and a very, very nice depth of flavor. Turned out to be an Algerian brand (surprise!) called "Le Phare du Cap Bon." They had a number of cans on display but wouldn't sell any. We had a very nice chat with the chef, who came out to talk and he recommended I pop on down to any market around Kedzie and Lawrence. Which sounds like a plan for tomorrow. (The Middle East Bakery next door now carries only its own homemade version.)

My dilemma is this: I have never shopped in that area before. Can anyone recommend a larger or particularly well-stocked market in that vicinity? I will undoubtedly walk into and out of a number of smaller places out of curiosity, but I'd also like to find a larger, well-stocked place where I can go as well--assuming that it exists.

Thanks!

HI,

On Broadway, just south of Foster on the east side of the street with its own parking lot, is a larger African market.

Old World Market
5129 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 728-2197

Regards,

Marhaba, Sahibi, GB!

Ever since I lived in Belgium and would make regular visits to the area between the South Station and the Palace of Justice in Brussels to buy Greek, Italian and North African provisions, I've been in love with harissa; the Arab stores would have big bowls of it and I'd buy a big container of that, green olives, hot pickled peppers and the seemingly always absolutely fresh thick round loaves of bread... Ah, sweet memories...

Anyway, the brands that refer to Cap Bon are, I feel certain, all not Algerian but Tunisian, for the Cap Bon is a peninsula in Tunisia famous for its agricultural output and harissa is one of the products they export.

I'm certain most if not all the fine stores around the Waaha'l Aurans carry at least one brand of harissa... for example, Sahar Meat Market II likely does...
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t= ... ight=oasis
... And you can also try Andy's and Al Khyam, just south of El Aurans... there are some more further to the south, though note that City Noor has closed down the shop and just operate the restaurant...

I really like the brand Le Phare du Cap Bon and find the tube format very convenient for storage and quick and clean application to anything from roasted meat to corn flakes. Alas, I haven't seen it around much in these parts and so stocked up on it when I was last in Belgium. The brands I've bought around here though are all good, though the can format is all I've seen. That said, I'm sure the fancy gourmet shops are now or soon to be selling this stuff as well. And, since you've seen Le Phare du Cap Bon here, somebody is distributing it.



ma9a 'ssalaama,
A

I'd be sort of surprised if the West African stuff at Old World had much in the way of what GB is seeking. If you are looking in the Lawrence/Kedzie area, try Sahar Meat Market in the plaza on Kedzie just north of Lawrence. Yes, the plaza with Kang Nam, Clark Market (Korean), Noli's Albanian pizza, and several Middle Eastern spots, including a solid bakery and and Sahar Pita. Michoacan is a solid supermercado next door. You can get a lot done in a small area there. And check out the new parking signs, in English, Arabic, Spanish and Korean.

Like A says.

Cathy2,
Thank you. As JeffB noted, most of the stock at the Old World Market is either West African or Caribbean (we live about three blocks away so I'm fairly familiar with its wide array). I am focusing mostly on North African products and, while it's certainly still worth the quick trek over, my suspicion is that this is simply not in demand from their clientele.

Antonius,
I am abashed. Of course! All I did was look at the label and promptly proceed to forget what I had seen. (I think I was misled in memory because the restaurant itself is Algerian and, my sieve-ic memory simply substituted without thought.) For your information, advice, and directions, shukran jazilan!
Oh, and...Corn flakes?

JeffB,
Many thanks as well. I will visit the places you suggest. I wonder, however, since you relied on my naming Kedzie/Lawrence (based on the recommendation I, in turn, had received from the chef), is there somewhere else you would suggest as a better destination?

On a whim, I googled "harissa chicago" and amidst all the restaurant and recipe results, I found a Centerstage.net review of Fox & Obel indicating that they had "not one but three harissa varieties".

I think Albany Park sounds like more fun. If I got Pulaski Day off I'd come for lunch, but alas.

Speaking of Tunisia, perhaps you should eat at Carthage Cafe at Foster and Kimball. I haven't been, but this thread reminded me of the earlier discussion. Maybe I should call in sick tomorrow

Antonius wrote:I really like the brand Le Phare du Cap Bon

A,

As does the counter man at Sahar. There were two kinds of harissa and Le Phare du Cap Bon was his strong preference. No squeeze tube available though. Sahar had two kinds of harissa, as you and JeffB suggested they might.

Sahar Meat Market


After my excursion to Sahar, which is always enjoyable, I met Gypsy Boy, m'th'su and nr706 for lunch at Salam, which Gypsy Boy had suggested on the Events Board

I broke out a can of Cap Bon which the waiter promptly whisked away only to bring back presented nicely on a plate.

BYOH (bring your own harissa)


Not surprisingly the full flavored, though as Gypsy Boy mentioned, not incendiary, harissa enhanced our very nice lunch.

Enjoy,
Gary

Salam Restaurant
4636 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
773-583-0776

Sahar Meat Market
4829 North Kedzie
Chicago, IL 60625
773-583-6098