Since 1997, Al Salam Pizzeria and Al Madenah Meat Market has served the local community as one of the few grocery stores and restaurants with Halal food on its menu and shelves.
“Halal is exactly the way God wants us to eat in my religion,” said Zade Haj, 21, a manager of the grocery store. “We don’t eat pork and you’re supposed to mention God’s name before starting the butchering and face the direction we pray during the process.
“We also serve many people who attend the Masjid As-Sunnatun-Nabawiyyah,” Haj said. “It’s a mosque right down the street from us.”
Located on 5101 Germantown Ave., the grocery store and pizzeria was opened by Haj and his family shortly after coming to the United States from Palestine. Since then, the store has provided everything from snacks and candy to special vitamins that follow their Muslim faith.
“Our vitamins don’t have pork gelatin because as Muslims we’re not allowed to eat any pork products. Also, everything is organic,” said Osama Haj, 23, Zade’s brother and another manager.
Al Madenah Meat Market even began producing its own fruit drink called Tasneem two years ago, and it can be found in many local grocery stores in the Philadelphia area.
“It’s juice with real pieces of fruit we make here actually,” Osama Haj said. “There are four flavors–pineapple lemon, orange mango, strawberry banana and fruit punch. It’s in other stores, too, including ShopRite, Cousin’s Supermarket and Acme.”
Although the grocery store specializes in Halal foods and drinks, it does offer a variety of products and promotions comparable to most major chain stores.
“We have many of the same meats as other grocery stores like chicken, steak, ground beef, turkey and lamb,” said Ali Bsharat, 24, who has been working at the meat counter since February. “But we also offer specials around the holidays too. For Ramadan we have a number of deals and sometimes give out free samples as well.”
Al Salam Pizzeria and Al Madenah Meat Market continues to work out of its quaint mini-mall located right off Germantown Avenue but is preparing for its busiest time of the year.
“Summer is quiet because everyone’s on vacation,” Osama Haj said. “But winter is our busiest time of the year, so business will be picking up.”
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