AL Madina Grocery & Deli — Restaurant in Florida

I don't leave reviews unless I'm extremely impressed with my experience. My wife and I went in today for lunch. I saw their website and we we're looking for something different for lunch. The restaurant is at the back of the store. The store was very clean and they have two booths at the back for dining. As soon as we went in and started looking at the menu the woman behind the counter (possible owner) asked if this was our first time in the restaurant. After advising her it was, she immediately started bringing out samples of just about everything they had. She gave us samples of a spinach pie (not sure what you call it). Then she gave us samples of a chicken and yellow rice dish that was on the buffet. Delicious! We also sampled a lamb and potato dish as well, which was also delicious. They gave my wife a sample of the Kofta Kabob. It has lamb in it which my wife doesn't care for. She absolutely loved it, which surprised me. Then they gave us a sample of their falafel fresh out of the friar. At this point in time I wasn't even hungry anymore! We ended up ordering the chicken and yellow rice dish/hummus and the beef kofta/greek salad. It was a ton of food. We also got the pistachio baklava for dessert. They piled it on. I barely got through a quarter of it. Ate the rest for dinner. Their pita bread was soft and hot. Hummus was delicious. Garlic mayo sauce was unbelievable. Fresh made tzatziki sauce! If you like fresh made Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food then this is the place for you. I can't say enough good things about this place. You will not be...

Wow!

My food journey continues to be amazing in 2022.

I stumbled upon this great store the other day. You walk into a friendly atmosphere and a clean, organized store.

Then, the aromas from the Cafe in the back take over, and you find your suddenly hungry.

The owner was so nice and answered all my questions about the figs , pita bread and unique foods.

I made my way to the Cafe where I sampled some roasted chicken and soup. The flavors were very good, and I saw they had Lamb Kabobs on the menu. I haven't had much Lamb since I went to the Netherlands. So, I was hopeful. They explained to me all of their meat is fresh, never frozen. They don't even have a freezer. No chemicals or added fats or hormones and all of their meats and chicken are raised ethically.

The Lamb was so amazing that I was able to cut it with my fork, and the mild flavor of the Lamb made me so happy. I had some of their fresh garlic sauce and spicy chimichuri as an accompaniment and bounced between the sauces and just the meat. The rice was perfectly cooked, the homemade humus was so fresh and smooth I couldn't stop eating it. I even took a few bites of my lunch partners steak. So good.

For desert, I had the most incredible baklava, i am normally not a fan. The outside was flaky and not too sweet; the finish was creamy and the pistachio was a unique experience.

If you are in Brandon or even close to Brandon you need...

I don't know if they are closing restaurant and store or just one of the two and are working to separate it somehow or relocate. Or maybe they needed break and went to see family overseas so that is the reason for the temporary closure. I am hopeful InshAllah it's not permanent closure.

I remember talking with the owner's son/nephew of the restaurant a while back and he said they were having issues with the grocery side not wanting to have the hours always at the same as the restaurant so maybe that was why.

There is nothing in Brandon Valrico or Dover even Riverview or Gibsonton for Arab Groceries or eateries that is authentic I think there is Zeekos and that is it and one Egyptian place behind Walmart 60 E in North Valrico. The rest if any are Americanized Mediterranean. There is no demographic here for our cuisines. I have to travel to Temple Terrace for anything.

Al Madina was the closest place to Khaleeji and Syrian food offerings. I highly recommend the food of the restaurant was very authentic especially for the area and in this area everything in Mediterranean or Arabian foods are not very good or authentic at all.

I did like the grocery inside the restaurant concept very much but I would still come even if separate and if closing because of relocating please consider moving to Valrico off 60 E near Walmart because it would maybe generate even...