Beesan Grocery and Bakery

My wife and I stopped here after eating at Baladi next door. I’m food-​adventurous, so I love going to ethnic groceries, though this was the first Middle Eastern one I’ve been to. We have a mutual friend who is Egyptian, and he frequently shops and dines in Bridgeview’s Arab — Middle Eastern area (basically along Harlem between 80^th and 115^th). I was impressed — the place is small, but packed with Middle Eastern specialties. There are very few «standard American» products here, which makes it really cool. Need some canned foul (pronounced «fool» — fava beans made various ways, generally with olive oil and lemon)? They had something like 20 different kinds. Tahini sauce? Five to choose from at least. It’s a fun place to explore. What I might have enjoyed most was a warmer that had five or six differently topped pita breads revolving on what would normally be for pizza. I got one topped with olive oil, lemon, sesame seeds and tons of sumac — I loved it. I’ll be back for more again, that’s for sure.