Wherever I live, cook or eat, I start to get itchy feet at supermarket and grocery stores. The run-of-the-mill aisles with bog standard veggies, spices and desserts just won't cut it. I like to veer off and find more niche products, ingredients I haven't tried and speciality cuts of meat.
In Norfolk & Virginia Beach, these are some of the shops I've been visiting:
Central Meats
This Chesapeake butchers is off the beaten track for those not living in the area, but offers a large range of meats, speciality items and more. Looking for ostrich or kangaroo meat? Then this is the place to come!
Location: here
American Asia Supermarket
From fresh seafood, meats and produce, this shop has it all! Spend time browsing the aisles for seaweed snacks, Taiwanese pineapple cakes (my favourite!), teas, noodles, miso, spices, and more.
Find them here
Pendulum Fine Meats
Easily a favourite, this spot has an excellent choice of meats and sausages. Feeling peckish? Then order their excellent burgers, a pint of beer (or whatever the size is in America... I seem to lose track) and enjoy. They even have wines and other deli items to shop as well.
Get to them here.
Royal Bazaar Indian Asian Market
If you are looking for Paneer cheese (and well, who isn't!?) then this is the spot to visit. An Indian grocery store packed to the brim with well priced spices, lentis, chickpeas, huge bags of rice, produce and more. I whipped up a Saag Paneer after my visit here and am glad to have found them. If you need some recipes, then message me and I will be happy to share.
Location is here
Westside Produce & Provision
A shop that sells local produce, deli items and more. What is not to love! I visit here for everything from Pungo Strawberries, fresh oysters, peanuts (the best gift for out of town friends) and much more. An absolute gem of a place.
Go to them here
EZ Halal Meat
When you're looking for a West Asian shop (or as some might still call the region 'Middle Eastern') then this is the place to head too. Find Arabic breads in the freezer section, samboosa wrappers (yes please!) and my favourite, Iraqi Amba sauce (mango).
Location: Here
Have you got a shop or deli you think I might like to visit? Then drop me an email!
