by Luke S.

Not being much of a cooker (discounting microwaving) stores like this aren't much use to me. I'll go in for an exotic pastry and to bathe in the strangeness of a foreign culture, but I've no use for pomegranate extract or the like. It's definitely divirse; alongside the foodstuffs you can get various kinds of media, even spare hookah parts. I was given my very first kollage (sweet cheese pastry, yum) by a dapper, swarthy gentleman with one extra-long pinky fingernail. For the pastry and the mental image of him sniffing exotic powders from his nail in the back room, they get kudos.

by Laura B.

Man, oh man... I miss this place. I really do. The golden raisins I got there were wonderful when stuffed inside zucchini or bell peppers with loads of middle eastern spices, nuts,  and the like... the pistachios... ah, the joy of well-priced, high-quality nuts that I didn't have to shell... saved me tons of time when cooking with them... and those desserts... the first I got was free (what a great incentive to try more, all from a very sweet young fellow)... the rest still incredibly inexpensive, as is the bread (even compared to Neomonde, who is good but still, in my opinion, not AS good)...What is BEST about this place for me, though, is the amazing assortment of spices... from pure cumin and coriander and osfer and fenugreek (the best I've ever used, and I've used a lot of it!) to mixes like a great hot middle eastern curry to kubeh to ... you must get some... go ahead, dare to smell them... you'll be taken into another little world. If you get nothiing else, get some pita bread, some desserts, and some fenugreek... add the last, with a bit of sea salt (try balleine), to your basmati rice ... do this after you par-cook it with oil til it's translucent and then toss in the water... the spices come last, but oh ... they do transform it into something amazing. You'll be glad you did... as long as you stick to what's at Jerusalem Market, where I've yet to have anything that was lacking in quality in the least bit. Oh, the walnuts there? Also the best, best ones around... with NO bitterness. Take THAT, Whole Paycheck ;)

by Caroline Z.

By a stroke of luck, I discovered the Jerusalem Bakery in 2006.  They bake their pita bread in the store, and in my opinion, it's the best in the Triangle.  If you're lucky, you'll arrive at a time when it's being taken out of the oven, all hot and fresh and fluffy. You'll never want that blah old "pita pocket" bread stuff in the grocery store again.  In addition to bread, I go shopping there for imported olive oil, cheese, dates, hummus, and some really great frozen falafel.  And yes, sometimes I can't leave without a cookie or a cheese pie from the glass bakery case. This place is small, but they fit a lot into the modest space. Prices are very reasonable and usually beat what you get at your local supermarket.  The owner's very friendly and eager to help you find what you're looking for.

by Ted R.

This is my go-to place for Middle Eastern groceries. Prices are generally lower than most competitors in the area (I last counted 4 others nearby). The highlight, though, is the fresh-baked pita bread, which is hands down the best around. Neomonde doesn't even come close. When they are hot out of the oven you'll have a hard time not eating a piece in the parking lot. The owner is super-friendly and service is top notch. If there's anything you need that he doesn't have, chances are he'll tell you when it'll be in the store.

by Christine E.

I hate to be disloyal to my beloved Neomonde's, but the bread from Jerusalem Bakery is unquestionably superior (and, as I recall, cheaper). I never realized how lucky we are in Raleigh to have so many good Arabic bakeries until I tried living in bigger cities (Philly, D.C.) that are apparently completely bereft of good Arabic groceries. Jerusalem Bakery Grocery has most of what you need for cooking Arabic food (and if they're missing something you need, head to Neomonde's or Al-Baraka down near Meredith), but the real highlight is the baked goods. The sfeeha, mene'eesh and fatayar (those are the pies and pastries stuffed/topped with herbs, cheese and/or spinach) are fantastic, and don't be shy to ask for your stuff warm. The cheese pies are my personal favorites. The family that owns this place is really nice, and will be even more pleased and solicitous if you show a genuine appreciation for their food. Oh, and they have a dessert that I can never remember the name of, but which is also wonderful and difficult to find - it's the one made of filo dough with cheese inside and attar (the sweet sticky sauce) on top. I have yet to see it anywhere else in the U.S, and they do a good job of it.